The Pentagon will deploy an additional 3,000 U.S. troops to Saudi Arabia, senior defense officials announced Friday, a modest increase in the U.S. military’s presence in the Middle East meant to deter aggressive Iranian actions.

The deployments include two fighter squadrons, an air expeditionary wing headquarters unit, two Patriot missile batteries and one air-defense unit operating a system known as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD . The Pentagon said last month that some of those units were preparing to deploy.

The deployments come as the Pentagon wrestles with how to deter Iran while simultaneously pivoting itself for greater competition with China across the globe. A strike group led by aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has been in the Middle East for months, and Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper declined to say Friday whether its deployment would be extended.

Esper, speaking Friday at the Pentagon, said that evidence recovered from recent attacks in the Persian Gulf region “prove that Tehran is responsible,” and that Iran’s bad behavior is part of a broader campaign to disrupt the global economy.

“Iran’s attempts to use terror, intimidation and military force to advance its interests are inconsistent with international norms,” Esper said.

The defense secretary said he spoke Friday with the Saudi minister of defense, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, to discuss Saudi Arabia’s defensive capabilities and U.S. efforts to protect partners in the region from further Iranian aggression.

“Saudi Arabia is a longstanding security partner in the Middle East, and it has asked for additional support to supplement their own defenses and defend the international rules-based order,” Esper said.

The new deployments, taken together with others authorized within the last month, boost the number of U.S. troops in the Middle East by about 3,000, Esper said. An additional 14,000 U.S. troops have been deployed to the region since the spring, he added, with additional Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps units ready to deploy if necessary.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/us-to-send-additional-troops-to-saudi-arabia-to-boost-defenses-against-iran/2019/10/11/7b8c8de6-ec42-11e9-9c6d-436a0df4f31d_story.html


CC Seun Mynd44

Very good not Obama with his love for lengthy speeches and no actions

Saudi has the 3rd biggest military budget in the world but they cannot defend themselves against Iran. Tufiaka.

Gha9boy:
Saudi has the 3rd largest military budget in the world but they cannot defend themselves against Iran. Tufiaka.

They don't. Haba. Who gave you this figure. Top military spenders include:

1. China

2. USA

3. Russia

4. Germany

5. France

6. Sweden


Plus it takes a lot for example a well detailed cyber space coverage to have an effective military these days that includes satellite communications all of which is linked together. Communication from space stations to providing aerial surveillance and details for ground military forces. This is a while infrastructure no one in M.E has.

healthserve:



They don't. Haba. Who gave you this figure. Top military spenders include:

1. China

2. USA

3. Russia

4. Germany

5. France

6. Sweden


Plus it takes a lot for example a well detailed cyber space coverage to have an effective military these days that includes satellite communications all of which is linked together. Communication from space stations to providing aerial surveillance and details for ground military forces. This is a while infrastructure no one in M.E has.

Where did you get your ranking?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures List by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute 2019 Fact Sheet (for 2018)

https://www.army-technology.com/features/biggest-military-budgets-world/

Find any source, if Saudi is not in the top 3, it will be in top 5. They are really spending big on defense. While Iran that is making them "chit" in their pant is not even in top 15.

Gha9boy:
Where did you get your ranking?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures List by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute 2019 Fact Sheet (for 2018)

https://www.army-technology.com/features/biggest-military-budgets-world/

Find any source, if Saudi is not in the top 3, it will be in top 5. They are really spending big on defense. While Iran that is making them "chit" in their pant is not even in top 15.

China USA are yearly high ranking nations

Gha9boy:
Where did you get your ranking?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures List by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute 2019 Fact Sheet (for 2018)

https://www.army-technology.com/features/biggest-military-budgets-world/

Find any source, if Saudi is not in the top 3, it will be in top 5. They are really spending big on defense. While Iran that is making them "chit" in their pant is not even in top 15.

You're right Saudi is third.

Who is paying for the cost ?

healthserve:


You're right Saudi is third.

A prove that military toys doesn't determine military success, their rival has been under tough sanctions for decades, with little or no backings from western countries, yet Saudi Arabia is still battling to protect her territory.

panafrican:
Who is paying for the cost ?

Saudi ofcourse, they are Trump cash -cow.

Myd44 fp na, make ppl no wetin dey sup for Middle East

This people can't defend themselves, despite the huge investments they have made on defence. Its really ridiculous and shameful.

The Saudis are just trying to protect their reign. Asides that, their priority is religion.