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Second US Aircraft Carrier Arrives in Middle East

File photo of the US aircraft carrier "Eisenhower" in the Red Sea (AFP)
File photo of the US aircraft carrier "Eisenhower" in the Red Sea (AFP)
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Second US Aircraft Carrier Arrives in Middle East

File photo of the US aircraft carrier "Eisenhower" in the Red Sea (AFP)
File photo of the US aircraft carrier "Eisenhower" in the Red Sea (AFP)

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and accompanying destroyers have arrived in the Middle East, the US military said Wednesday, after the country's defense secretary ordered the strike group to accelerate its speed, AFP reported.

The carrier's arrival brings the number in the region to two -- at least temporarily, as the Lincoln is to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt -- at a time of heightened fears of regional conflict following high-profile assassinations claimed by, or blamed on, Israel.

"USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), equipped with F-35C and F/A-18 Block III fighters, entered the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility," the military command responsible for the Middle East said on social media.

"The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, is accompanied by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9," it added.

The Pentagon said on August 11 that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had ordered the Lincoln to "accelerate its transit" to the Middle East, after directing its deployment to the region at the beginning of the month.

Fears of a major escalation have mounted since Hezbollah and Iran vowed to respond to twin killings blamed on Israel late last month.

An Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs killed a top Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, shortly before an attack in Tehran blamed on Israel killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

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Sudanese-US Talks in Cairo Postponed

US Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello at a press conference in Geneva, August 12 (EPA)
US Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello at a press conference in Geneva, August 12 (EPA)
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Sudanese-US Talks in Cairo Postponed

US Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello at a press conference in Geneva, August 12 (EPA)
US Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello at a press conference in Geneva, August 12 (EPA)

The Sudanese-US talks planned for this week in Cairo have been delayed. The Sudanese government did not send a delegation, and US envoy Tom Perriello returned to Switzerland to continue aid efforts in Sudan.
This indicates a pause in efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.
There has been confusion about the timing of the Cairo talks. The Sudanese government had agreed to attend after being invited by Egypt and the US.
However, diplomats and politicians told Asharq Al-Awsat that a quick resolution is unlikely. They said the talks with Sudan have been postponed, with the US expected to continue negotiations in Switzerland.
The Sudanese government had previously declined to join US-led talks in Switzerland on August 14, which aimed to address the conflict between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with participation from the UN, African Union, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The Rapid Support Forces did attend.
The Sudanese Sovereignty Council planned to send a delegation to Cairo to discuss the Jeddah Agreement with US representatives. This followed discussions between the US envoy and the Egyptian government.
Sudanese sources said the delegation did not go to Cairo because they were unhappy with how the US envoy extended the invitation.
The Sovereignty Council had agreed to the Cairo meeting but wanted proper notice. The envoy’s last-minute request for attendance was rejected.
The talks focus on creating mechanisms for a ceasefire, ensuring the protection of civilians, and facilitating humanitarian aid.
They also aim to ensure that the warring parties fully implement the Jeddah Declaration.
Ali Youssef, former Sudanese ambassador to the EU, said that the Cairo talks with the Sudanese government have been delayed, not canceled.
Youssef told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Sudanese government is likely to focus on military action soon. He highlighted recent moves by the Sudanese army to target RSF positions.
Youssef criticized the Geneva talks, saying they were an attempt by the US to sidestep the Jeddah Agreement’s humanitarian goals and impose a US-centric approach, which the Sudanese army rejected.
He also noted that the Sudanese government opposes the US refusal to recognize the Sovereignty Council as a transitional authority.
Since the conflict began in April 2023, Jeddah has hosted talks led by Saudi Arabia and the US.