Middle East Buildup

In the past few weeks, the United States has greatly increased the presence of its armed forces in the Middle East. This is widely believed to be a posturing position in the rising conflict with the country of Iran. After calling off a strike last month at the last minute for ambiguous reasons, the Trump administration has moved the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier into the Mediterranean to join the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East. This brings the total in the area to two aircraft carriers, about 13 destroyers, and their support

View of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arriving at the Port of Marseille, earlier in her deployment (Photo by Denis Thaust/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

vessels. Along with this naval power, he has increased the number of aircraft in the Middle East to around 150, including F/A‑18 Super Hornets, F‑22 Raptors, and F‑35 Lightning IIs. This is the largest buildup of armed forces in the Middle East in decades.

Talks continue between the two countries regarding three main areas of concern: nuclear enrichment, ballistic missiles, and Iranian “proxies.” The United States is demanding a deal that does not “sunset” or have an end date. This deal would consist of an end to nuclear enrichment in Iran, and they have hinted at reducing missile capacity and ending support for their regional proxies. In return, the United States is offering sanctions relief and reintegration into the regional economy of the Middle East.

Iran is taking a hard line on ballistic missiles and proxies, but it has signaled that it is willing to come to the table on nuclear enrichment capability, provided the deal has an end date. This is in direct conflict with the American position. Trump has issued a warning that, in the next two weeks, Iran needs to come closer to the American position or we are likely to see military action. The next talks are scheduled to take place Thursday, February 26, in Geneva, Switzerland, with many reports calling this the last‑ditch effort to find a deal.

Iran cannot under any circumstances have a nuclear bomb. If that means military intervention, then we have the planes ready to go. Meet our terms or get ready for regime change.

 Iranian stability is good for regional stability which means more access to oil and lower energy prices for Americans. We should work a deal for no bomb and regional stability so we can leave.