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October 31, 2011

Report: U.S. to Boost Persian Gulf Military Force After Iraq Withdrawal 
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The Obama administration is planning a major build-up of U.S. forces in
the Persian Gulf following its withdrawal from Iraq at the end of the
year. According to the New York Times, the plan would see an increase of
U.S. combat troops stationed in Kuwait. The U.S. force would be prepared
to re-enter Iraq or engage in military conflict with Iran. Also under
consideration is the deployment of more U.S. naval warships around the
Middle East. To further bolster its armed presence, the United States is
expanding military ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council states of
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
A proposed new "security architecture" would cover joint air and naval
patrols as well as so-called "missile defense" between the United States
and its Gulf government allies. The Gulf Cooperation Council drew
international criticism earlier this year after it deployed a mostly
Saudi military force to help crush the uprising against the Bahraini
monarchy. The news of the administration's military plans for the
Persian Gulf comes just one week after it announced the U.S. withdrawal
from Iraq at year's end.



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