US to cut troops in the Gulf, says WSJ

Citing US officials, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) yesterday reported that the US President, Joe Biden, has directed the Pentagon to cut US troops present in the Gulf. The move appears to be a step in a realignment of the US military's presence away from the region and towards Asia.

At least three Patriot antimissile batteries, which had been put in place in recent years to help protect American forces, have been removed from the Gulf region since Biden's inauguration, including one from Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Other capabilities, including an aircraft carrier and surveillance systems, are also being diverted from the Middle East.

Despite this, it appears that the US intends on maintaining a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia. When the Biden administration announced that it would pull out of the Yemen war, it reaffirmed its support to defend the Kingdom.

 

Source: commonspace.eu with Wall Street Journal (New York) and Al Jazeera (Doha). 
Picture: A KC-135 Stratotanker lands at Prince Sultan Air Base. (Twitter: @Kaitain_US). 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe has successfully completed the first phase of its project to develop the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue as part of its commitment within the EU4Peace III programme, funded by the European Union. In this first phase, which lasted from September 2024 to April 2025, LINKS Europe conducted an assessment of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and mobilised the personnel necessary for delivering the project output. LINKS Europe Foundation is pleased to announce the names of the chairs/co-chairs of the five thematic groups within the initiative.  

Popular

Editor's choice
News
LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe has successfully completed the first phase of its project to develop the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue as part of its commitment within the EU4Peace III programme, funded by the European Union. In this first phase, which lasted from September 2024 to April 2025, LINKS Europe conducted an assessment of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and mobilised the personnel necessary for delivering the project output. LINKS Europe Foundation is pleased to announce the names of the chairs/co-chairs of the five thematic groups within the initiative.