Maritime Architecture and Response to International Terrorism In the Middle East Act of 2023

An assessment of the threats posed to ally or partner countries in the Middle East by—

A description of existing multilateral maritime partnerships currently led by the United States Naval Forces Central Command, including the Combined Maritime Forces (including its associated Task Forces 150, 151, 152, and 153), the International Maritime Security Construct (including its Coalition Task Force SENTINEL), and the Navy's Task Force 59, and a discussion of the role of such partnerships in building an integrated maritime security capability.

A description of efforts made and lessons learned in advancing the integration of Israel into the existing multilateral maritime partnerships described in subparagraph (B).

A description of efforts among countries in the Middle East to coordinate intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities and indicators and warnings with respect to the threats described in subparagraph (A), and a description of any impediment to optimizing such efforts.

A description of the current Department of Defense systems that, in coordination with ally and partner countries in the Middle East—

An explanation of the manner in which an integrated maritime domain awareness and interdiction architecture would improve collective security in the Middle East.

A description of existing and planned efforts to engage ally and partner countries in the Middle East in establishing such an architecture.

An identification of the elements of such an architecture that may be acquired and operated by ally and partner countries in the Middle East, and a list of such elements for each such ally and partner.

An identification of the elements of such an architecture that may only be provided and operated by members of the United States Armed Forces.

An identification of any challenge to optimizing such an architecture in the Middle East.

An assessment of progress and key challenges in the implementation of the strategy required by paragraph (1) using the metrics identified in accordance with paragraph (3).

Recommendations for improvements in the implementation of such strategy based on such metrics.

An assessment of any capabilities or lessons from the Navy’s Task Force 59 that may be leveraged to support an integrated maritime domain awareness and interdiction capability in the Middle East.

A description and assessment of the joint bilateral and multinational maritime exercises conducted in the Middle East since the establishment of the Navy’s Task Force 59, including a discussion of the manner in which such exercises have impacted the efforts and lessons detailed under subparagraphs (C), (D), and (M).

A description of collaboration opportunities between the intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities of the Navy’s Task Force 59 and the Air Force’s Task Force 99 to support a joint-service approach to maritime domain awareness with sea-based and air-based unmanned assets.

Any other matter the Secretary of Defense considers relevant.

manned and unmanned naval systems, undersea warfare capabilities, and anti-ship missiles of Iran and groups affiliated with Iran; and

violent extremist organizations, criminal networks, and piracy activities that threaten lawful commerce in the waterways of the Middle East.