Washington. June 19. INTERFAX-The Biden administration has begun to reduce US anti-missile systems in the Middle East as part of a reorientation of the US military strategy, The Wall Street Journal reported.
According to him, the Pentagon has begun withdrawing eight Patriot missile system batteries from Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The THAAD system, designed to protect against medium-range missiles at high altitude, currently located in Saudi Arabia, is also being withdrawn.
At the heart of this decision is a change in strategy, "now the US is focusing on the challenges from Russia and China," the newspaper writes.
According to her estimates, "this also reflects the belief of Pentagon strategists" that tensions with Iran have eased since President Joe Biden decided to enter into negotiations with Tehran on the nuclear deal.
The Wall Street Journal, citing a source in the Pentagon, writes that the withdrawal of part of the missile defense funds from the Middle East is "a reallocation of resources in accordance with strategic priorities", some of the funds remain in Iraq and Syria.
The publication draws attention to the fact that the reduction of the American presence in the region coincides with Biden's decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.
