Pentagon’s count leaves out some deaths in Middle East during Iran war

The Pentagon is exploring potential revisions to its military presence in Europe and the Middle East, as part of President Donald Trump's administration's push for allies to shoulder more responsibility in these regions. The shift in strategy aims to redirect US attention towards China and the Western Hemisphere, where the focus is on combating drug cartels in South America.

In the Gulf, the ongoing war with Iran has highlighted the vulnerability of US forces, with at least 18 servicemembers losing their lives, including six in a missile strike in Kuwait. The inspector general's report on the costs of the war found that Pentagon officials are still uncertain whether they will revert base and troop levels to pre-war figures.

The exact future posture of US forces in the region, including base construction and the percentage of costs to be shared by allies, remains undecided. Reuters reports that the Pentagon is considering a redeployment of troops from the Gulf, currently home to around 40,000 US personnel. Additionally, the US is expected to send MQ-9 Reaper drones operating in Africa to South America, where they will bolster counternarcotics efforts.

A six-month review of US troop presence in Europe is underway, led by Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, with a focus on enhancing deterrence against China. The review may include the withdrawal of around 25,000 troops from Europe, a move that could worry European and NATO officials facing a more assertive Russia.

The US currently maintains approximately 80,000 troops in Europe. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has criticized the exclusion of US diplomats from the Pentagon-led review of America's military presence in Europe. She has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure diplomats, including ambassadors in affected countries, are included in the discussions.