▲ U.S. President Donald Trump
The Donald Trump administration is quietly considering plans to reduce the scale of U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East after the war with Iran ends, CNN reported on the 7th local time.
CNN diagnosed that this move aims to adjust the deployment of personnel and equipment in the region as U.S. military bases across the Middle East have been exposed to Iranian attacks, potentially marking a turning point in the U.S. military's intervention in the Middle East since the September 11 attacks.
According to the report, U.S. military and intelligence officials have recently been discussing behind the scenes to reduce the size of U.S. troop deployments and equipment in the Middle East once the war with Iran is concluded, multiple sources said.
CNN noted that if such a plan is actually implemented, it would bring about a significant shift in U.S. Middle East policy since 9/11.
These discussions stem from vulnerabilities exposed as various U.S. military bases, primarily centered around Gulf states, came under attack during the war with Iran.
In fact, since the war with Iran began on February 28 through today, 18 U.S. service members have been killed in action, and U.S. military facilities have suffered substantial damage across Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, including the CIA station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which was virtually destroyed by Iranian strikes.
However, sources added that these discussions remain at an informal stage for now.
CNN reported that officials participating in these military and intelligence discussions have embarked on these steps partly to anticipate what President Trump would be willing to accept.
President Trump has repeatedly boasted about reducing U.S. troops stationed abroad, while not presenting a clear plan for post-war arrangements regarding Iran.
A large number of troops and equipment remain stationed in the Middle East, including 50,000 U.S. troops, two aircraft carriers, and about 10 missile destroyers.
Under these circumstances, ideas on the U.S. military table include plans to strengthen defense capabilities for U.S. troops expected to remain in the Middle East even after the war with Iran ends.
In particular, relocating some facilities underground is also being reviewed to boost defense against Iranian-origin missiles and drones.
Additionally, putting the U.S. Special Operations Command and the CIA on a rotational deployment basis rather than a permanent stationing in the Middle East has also been placed on the review list.
For instance, the personnel and equipment of these agencies would be kept in the United States, dispatched to the Middle East for individual missions, and then returned to the U.S. once completed.
According to some sources, the U.S. government may decide not to rebuild assets that were severely damaged or destroyed by Iranian attacks, citing cost issues.
While no specific timeline has been discussed for these plans, sources added that the military has drawn up several potential implementation plans to alter the force structure in the Middle East as early as next year.
If actually implemented, this move could become a turning point for America's military involvement in the Middle East, which has lasted for 25 years since the 9/11 attacks.
In 2003, when the administration of George W. Bush pointed to Saddam Hussein's regime as being behind al-Qaeda and invaded Iraq, 250,000 troops were stationed in the Middle East. Afterward, the U.S. began withdrawing troops starting in 2008, maintaining around 30,000 to 60,000 personnel after 2011.
Regarding this move, a U.S. official conveyed the atmosphere, saying, "These vulnerabilities were always known," but adding, "However, the United States had never treated them with urgency."
(Photo: Getty Images)
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