Esper, UK defense secretary meet over security ties

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper met with British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace at Pentagon on Thursday over security ties and regional issues.

Esper and Wallace discussed mutual security concerns, the security situation in the Middle East, Africa, and Afghanistan, according to a Pentagon statement.

The two officials addressed a broad range of defense issues, including the transatlantic relationship, and the two allies' parallel nuclear defense capability modernization programs.

The statement said that Esper expressed appreciation for Britain's leadership role in several areas, including at NATO, and its ongoing contributions to international missions, in particular the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC).

IMSC is a maritime security mission launched by the United States last year, which aims to ensure the safety of shipping in the Gulf. The British Royal Navy assumed command of the IMSC in late January.