(23 May 2021) As the United States scales back its military presence across the Middle East, a top U.S. commander for the region on Sunday said that the number of troops and weapons is not as important as the overall capability of the integrated U.S. and Saudi air and missile defense system arrayed around the country.
Marine General Frank McKenzie, who heads U.S. Central Command, said that in meetings Sunday Saudi leaders were “very concerned” about the ongoing U.S. military posture review.
Speaking in his Riyadh hotel room after meeting with Saudi officials, McKenzie said, that strategy of doing more in the region with less military presence may prevent China and Russia from cashing in on any U.S. void.
In the few short months since President Joe Biden took office, he has ordered the full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and begun to review America's force presence in Iraq, Syria and around the globe.
His administration is cutting U.S. military support for the Saudi-led offensive against Iranian-back Houthi rebels in Yemen, and the Pentagon has moved ships, forces and weapons systems out of other Middle East countries.
The Biden administration views China’s rapidly expanding economic influence and military might as America’s primary long-term security challenge. Officials believe the U.S. must be more ready to counter threats to Taiwan and China's development of military outposts on manmade islands in the South China Sea.
Military commanders caution that China’s growing assertiveness isn't limited to Asia, noting that Beijing is aggressively seeking footholds in Africa, South America and the Middle East.
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