US Defense Secretary Mr Donald Rumsfeld has set off on a visit to Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia and meet NATO leaders in Brussels to discuss the war against terrorism.
"He is going to meet with senior officials in those countries to discuss the war on terrorism," Pentagon spokeswoman Ms Victoria Clarke said.
The three former Soviet republics, sandwiched between the Caspian and Black Seas, have offered Washington use of their airspace for US military action in Afghanistan, where bin Laden is believed to be hiding.
"It's important to discuss with the leaders in the region, continue to reaffirm what it is we are trying to accomplish in the war on terrorism, continue to reaffirm how important it is to have these evolving and changing coalitions that we have," Ms Clarke said.
In Brussels, Mr Rumsfeld will meet NATO defence ministers on issues ranging from the war on terrorism to US missile defence.