Will US Pull Out of Key Middle East Bases? Trump Won't Say
The U.S. has tens of thousands of troops deployed across the Middle East, including at major bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
President Donald Trump did not offer an opinion on whether the United States would or would not withdraw troops from Kuwait and Bahrain in a recent interview. The comments come after reports from the Wall Street Journal indicating the U.S. is reviewing its military presence in Kuwait. CENTCOM, the military command responsible for U.S. forces in the Middle East, typically avoids commenting on troop deployments due to security concerns.
Both nations have been targeted frequently by Iran since the collapse of a regional ceasefire, with 64 attacks on Kuwait and 39 on Bahrain from mid-June to August 3. Kuwait and Bahrain together host over 20,000 U.S. troops, with Bahrain serving as the headquarters for the U.S. Fifth Fleet and the largest overseas unit of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Analysts suggest Iran may be attempting to pressure Gulf states to reconsider hosting U.S. forces, but Gulf states have shown a desire to maintain U.S. security protection despite a broader push towards a more independent foreign policy under the Trump administration.
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