U.S. to send additional troops to Saudi Arabia to boost defenses against Iran

[BumRushDaShow]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by NancyBlueINOklahoma (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Washington Post

The Pentagon will deploy an additional 1,800 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.

Read more: 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

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We know who butters his bread.

Original article and headline -

Pentagon to deploy nearly 2,000 troops to Saudi Arabia to boost defenses against Iran

By Washington Post Staff
Oct. 11, 2019 at 12:48 p.m. EDT

Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said the move would place new fighter jets and air defense systems in Saudi Arabia to help a key ally confront what the Trump administration has described as a heightened threat from Iran.

The deployment, which officials said would place roughly 1,800 additional troops in the Middle East, is the second troop increase related to recent attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/national/wp/2019/10/11/pentagon-to-deploy-nearly-2000-troops-to-saudi-arabia-to-boost-defenses-against-iran/

[Aristus]

1. If ever there was an army reckelssly looking for a war, this is it.

[dalton99a]

8. "The president is taking this action to protect the American consumer"

[Baked Potato]

12. Because high oil prices wouldn't be good for them

I really feel his concern.

[lostnfound]

2. Traded US Foreign policy for the sake of...? Is this unrelated to Syria pullout?

Putin wants an empire again. Saudis want... ?
Who will be fleeing into Iraq from Syria now?

[ret5hd]

3. How many Saudis were at Normandy?

[dalton99a]

6. Bingo

[ancianita]

4. Proof of a corporate-military junta dictatorship.

[Javaman]

5. ...

[ancianita]

7. Were it this light and entertaining.

[James48]

9. Incredible.

The inclusion of a THAAD unit is a significant new development.

The attacks on the oil pipelines last month shows a lack of awareness or preparation by the Saudi air defenses- either lack of ability to operate (likely), or they just got caught not being prepared. But the drones sent by Iran also could have been shot down by less complex systems such as the Phalynx cannon system. More Patriots assumes a more threatening repeat of the earlier attack.

-or-
The Saudis May be thinking that Patriot missiles aren’t going to work for air defense.

THAAD is a system to defend against a longer range threat- it’s more of an anti-ballistic missile ( Think SCUD defense on steroids).

Only the USA, and South Korea currently have THAAD air defense systems in place. Using our THAAD in Saudi defense is a new level of commitment for us. And one that stresses our forces.

[NonPC]

10. I'm Confused

Since Saudi Arabia spends BILLIONS of dollars a year on US made armaments, WHY do they need OUR soldiers? Do we send them a bill for this as well?

[ancianita]

11. Climate Crisis -- your proclaimed #1 NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT -- is here, Pentagon.

Reminder to Pentagon:The #1 National Security Threat, Climate Change, don't care what else you do.

Climate Crisis don't care what humans think, say, do about oil, alliances, water, justice, law, rights.

[nitpicker]

13. F-15s, air defense systems and thousands of U.S. troops heading to Saudi Arabia

https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2019/10/11/f-15s-air-defense-systems-and-thousands-of-us-troops-heading-to-saudi-arabia/

F-15s, air defense systems and thousands of U.S. troops heading to Saudi Arabia

By: Aaron Mehta    47 minutes ago

The Pentagon is sending Air Force F-15s, new air defense systems and other assets — along with the thousands of U.S. troops needed to operate and maintain them — to Saudi Arabia.

The deployments, announced by the Pentagon Friday morning, bring the total deployment of U.S. forces to the kingdom to 3,000 since a mid-September attack on a Saudi oil field.

According to chief department spokesman Jonathan Hoffman, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has authorized the deployment of two fighter squadrons, an air expeditionary wing, two Patriot batteries and a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) to Saudi territory. Although not officially announced, it is expected the fighter squadrons will be F-15s.

Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Esper said it is now “clear that Iranians are responsible” for the attacks in Saudi territory and warned that the U.S. has “on alert additional” forces that can provide increased security “if necessary.”
(snip)

[Baked Potato]

14. That's a little bit much to respond

to a drone attack in which no one was killed, and they had repaired in a couple of days.

[OKNancy]

15. Oops.. duplicate - locking

Please add this article to the older thread here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142379890