US deploys 1,500 troops to the Middle East, bypasses Congress on Saudi arms deal
"PENTAGON MULLING U.S. MILITARY REQUEST TO SEND 5,000 TROOPS TO MIDDLE EAST: OFFICIALS Reuters By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart May 22, 2019 "
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The actions were in response to what is a perceived threat of attacks by Iran, with President Donald Trump describing the move as "protective".
Updated Updated 21 hours ago
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The deployments, decried by Iran as escalatory, have come amid a freeze in direct communication between the United States and Iran that has raised concerns about the increasing risk of an inadvertent conflict.
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The decision on troops marks a reversal of sorts for Trump, who only on Thursday said he thought no more forces were needed. Mr Trump has sought to detangle the US military from open-ended conflicts in places like Syria and Afghanistan.
The deployment is relatively small compared with the about 70,000 American troops now stationed across a region that stretches from Egypt to Afghanistan. In addition, some 600 of the 1,500 "new" troops are already in the Middle East manning Patriot missiles, but will see their deployments extended.
Still, the Democratic lawmaker who heads the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, said the deployment "appears to be a blatant and heavy-handed move to further escalate tensions with Iran."
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At the same time, the US State Department informed Congress that it will go ahead with 22 arms deals worth some $US8 billion, congressional aides said, sweeping aside a long-standing precedent for congressional review of such sales.
A Norwegian-registered oil products tanker and a UAE fuel bunker barge were among four vessels hit near Fujairah emirate, one of the world's largest bunkering hubs located just outside the Strait of Hormuz.
Admiral Gilday also accused Iran-backed "proxy" forces of carrying out a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone last week.
The Pentagon did not provide evidence to support its claims but said it hoped to further declassify intelligence supporting them. Iran has dismissed the accusations entirely and accuses the United States of brinkmanship with its troop deployments.
How to Stop the March to War With Iran Congress, Europe and business leaders can stand in John Bolton’s way. By Wendy R. Sherman Ms. Sherman is the former under secretary of state for political affairs. May 15, 2019 https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=148833417
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