What's next after exiting Iraq? A NEW Gulf buildup/redistribution of troops

[Dover]

For real...


The Pentagon is drawing up plans to reposition forces across a strategically critical and politically tumultuous region.MacDILL AIR

FORCE BASE, Fla. — The Obama administration plans to bolster the American military presence in the Persian Gulf after it withdraws the remaining troops from Iraq this year, according to officials and diplomats. That repositioning could include new combat forces in Kuwait able to respond to a collapse of security in Iraq or a military confrontation with Iran.

The plans, under discussion for months, gained new urgency after President Obama’s announcement this month that the last American soldiers would be brought home from Iraq by the end of December. Ending the eight-year war was a central pledge of his presidential campaign, but American military officers and diplomats, as well as officials of several countries in the region, worry that the withdrawal could leave instability or worse in its wake.

After unsuccessfully pressing both the Obama administration and the Iraqi government to permit as many as 20,000 American troops to remain in Iraq beyond 2011, the Pentagon is now drawing up an alternative..


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/world/middleeast/united-states-plans-post-iraq-troop-increase-in-persian-gulf.html.

[Jnana]

1. I wonder how much this will cost establish and maintain?

Additionally, if we are going provide security for the region, shouldn't we require the rich oil-producing nations of the region pay us for it?

After all, the cop on the beat does draw a paycheck.

[Octafish]

2. War Is Peace.

It was my hope that would change.

[AntiFascist]

3. The Pentagon draws such a huge portion of tax revenues...

they have to spend it on something.