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Axis of Evil
US Persian Gulf presence growing
2002-03-30
  • The U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf has increased substantially due to the war in Afghanistan, but there's little doubt the new troops and equipment could be turned on Iraq in a future offensive. The number of U.S. military personnel in the Gulf region and Central Asia — from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan — has increased from fewer than 25,000 to nearly 80,000, since the Sept. 11 attacks.

    While about 7,000 are in Afghanistan, thousands more have been sent to the Gulf region to support the Afghan operation. In Kuwait — at Iraq's door — the number of American troops has nearly doubled, from 5,500 to about 10,500, since Sept. 11, defense officials said. Most are support personnel who keep planes flying and food flowing to troops in the field. But Gen. Tommy Franks, who commands U.S. forces in the region, said he's considering augmenting the ground combat force in Kuwait, which now numbers 3,500 to 4,000 troops. In Saudi Arabia, weapons and other gear are being pulled out of long-term storage. Some computer and communications equipment is going to a previously secret base in Qatar, potentially giving U.S. forces a command center outside of Saudi Arabia, where there's little support for a new offensive against Iraq.
    • Posted by:Fred Pruitt

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