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Lloyd James Austin, Secretary of Defense | https://www.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/2522687/lloyd-j-austin-iii/

US postpones military exercise Noble Partner amid tensions with Georgia

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The United States has initiated a comprehensive review of the United States-Georgia bilateral relationship. As part of that review, the United States will indefinitely postpone this iteration of exercise NOBLE PARTNER in Georgia, originally scheduled for July 25 – August 6, 2024.

On May 30, the US government began a full review of all bilateral cooperation with Georgia. The decision to postpone this iteration of NOBLE PARTNER is due to the Georgian government's false accusations against the United States and other western entities. These accusations involve pressuring Georgia to open a second front against Russia to alleviate pressure on Ukraine and participating in two coup attempts against the ruling party. Consequently, the United States Government has determined that this is an inappropriate time to hold a large-scale military exercise in Georgia.

The United States will continue to partner with the Georgian Defense Forces as it seeks to strengthen Georgia's ability to safeguard its sovereignty and maintain its territorial integrity.

"We have not made this decision lightly," said a US official, "and we place great consideration on the extensive value that our Allies and Partners add to exercises such as NOBLE PARTNER." The United States looks forward to future opportunities to cooperate with Allies and Partners, including AGILE SPIRIT in 2025.

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