ME revolts threaten US military bases
PressTV
February 24, 2011
The recent uprisings in Arab states have raised serious concerns in the US over the major reliance of its military operations on its bases across Persian Gulf’s Arab nations.
About 27,000 American troops are deployed at US military bases in numerous Arab countries in the region, including Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, AFP reported.
As the Bahraini government brutally cracks down on the country’s pro-democracy protesters, at least 4,000 American troops are stationed there as part of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters.
The persisting turmoil in the Persian Gulf state will most likely threaten US military operations in the Middle East region.
However, Pentagon has publicly described the ongoing uprisings as ‘popular movements’ that would not at all affect its naval headquarters or other bases in the region.
According to former American diplomat David Aaron, “No single base or agreement represents an Achilles heel, but in general, the network is critical for American military power.”
US military operations in most Arab states are mainly focused on exercising control over oil shipping routes in the Persian Gulf.
Taking into account the likely consequence of the Egyptian revolution and other mass uprisings in the other Arab world, there is a high possibility that the US will suffer a major decline in its vast military power and influence in the region.
The loss is certain to serve as a huge drawback for the US in the Persian Gulf area, as it would no longer be capable of monitoring Iran’s military activities.
