Military and intelligence officials discuss smaller presence in the Middle East as US looks for another post-9/11 strategy
Officials are weighing mission-based rotations and fewer permanent sites after Iranian attacks damaged bases and killed 18 American service members.
- In quiet discussions, US military and Central Intelligence Agency officials are weighing plans to reduce personnel and facilities in the Middle East if the Trump administration succeeds in ending the ongoing Iran conflict.
- The recent conflict with Iran exposed critical vulnerabilities in American infrastructure, as repeated drone and missile attacks killed 18 American service members and significantly damaged installations across the Gulf, including in Saudi Arabia.
- Pentagon comptroller Jules "Jay" Hurst III told reporters in April the department is assessing its future posture, with officials privately considering declining to rebuild severely damaged assets to shift defense burdens onto regional partners.
- Officials are considering a shift toward mission-based deployments where personnel and equipment remain in the United States, launching individual missions into the region only as needed rather than maintaining permanent bases.
- This potential restructuring follows 25 years of military intervention since September 11, 2001, marked by repeated cycles of promises to pull back from the Middle East that have often failed to materialize.
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14 Articles
Military and intelligence officials discuss smaller presence in the Middle East as US looks for another post-9/11 strategy
In offices across the military and in the intelligence community, there have been recent quiet discussions about cutting the number of people and facilities typically stationed in the Middle East if the Trump administration succeeds in ending the Iran conflict, six sources say.
Inside the US military and intelligence circles, there are discreet talks about a significant reduction in the number of soldiers and the closing of military facilities in the Middle East, if the administration of Donald Trump succeeds in ending the conflict with Iran, CNN has learned from several military and intelligence sources.
Amid the US-Iran conflict, threats to US military bases and troops are increasing. The US is now considering reducing some bases to protect its military and intelligence networks.
As long as the Trump administration manages to put an "end" to the conflict with Iran.
The United States is considering reducing its military presence and facilities in the Middle East if the Trump administration can end the conflict with Iran. The Pentagon is also considering moving some of its bases underground because of their vulnerability to missile and drone attacks.
Losses from the war with Iran and the vulnerability of fixed installations are forcing Washington to completely reconsider its military presence.
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