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US will 'pay a price' for Trump’s historic fumble: defense experts
Alternet • • world
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump promised his convention crowd that the war in Iran would end immediately after the election, but military actions suggest preparations for a prolonged campaign in the Persian Gulf.
- The Pentagon is deploying naval forces, including aircraft carriers, for sustained presence in the region, which limits the Navy's availability for other global missions.
- Extended deployments are causing maintenance and training shortfalls, lowering sailor morale and retention, as exemplified by the extended mission of the USS Abraham Lincoln.
- Military leaders express concern over repeated deployment extensions, which create stress for service members and complicate operational planning amid ongoing threats.
- Experts warn that the prolonged focus on the Gulf risks eroding U.S. influence in other strategic areas like the Asia Pacific and could leave the military weakened and less flexible for years to come.
