(Stars and Stripes) J.P. Lawrence - The U.S. has closed sprawling bases in Qatar that once served as a forward staging area in the Middle East, and has transferred the remaining weaponry and supplies to Jordan, in a move that analysts say positions Washington to deal better with Iran. Moving U.S. troops to Jordan decreases the threat of rocket attacks against U.S. troops in the Gulf region from Iranian-backed militias. "You want to be able to deny the Iranians that leverage, in a negotiation," said Kamran Bokhari, a national security expert at the Center for Global Policy. "If they're signaling that they have your bases in missile range, that decreases your leverage behind the scenes." The U.S. will continue to use Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a basing hub for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
2021-07-05 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive