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Source: https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2019/01/288410.htm
Pompeo in Cairo: America Is a Force for Good in the Middle East
(U.S. State Department) U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, speaking at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday, said: "America is a force for good in the Middle East....When America retreats, chaos often follows. When we neglect our friends, resentment builds. And when we partner with enemies, they advance....America has confronted the ugly reality of radical Islamism....President Sisi joined us...in denouncing the twisted ideology which has brought death and suffering on so many." "Importantly, we fostered a common understanding with our allies of the need to counteract the Iran regime's revolutionary agenda. Countries increasingly understand that we must confront the ayatollahs, not coddle them....For our part, airstrikes in the region will continue as targets arise....We strongly support Egypt's efforts to destroy ISIS in the Sinai. We strongly support Israel's efforts to stop Tehran from turning Syria into the next Lebanon." "We will not ease our campaign to stop Iran's malevolent influence and actions against this region and the world....In Syria, the United States will use diplomacy and work with our partners to expel every last Iranian boot....There will be no U.S. reconstruction assistance for areas of Syria held by Assad until Iran and its proxy forces withdraw." "The United States fully supports Israel's right to defend itself against the Iranian regime's aggressive adventurism. We will continue to ensure that Israel has the military capacity to do so decisively."