© AP Photo / Rainer JensenPatriot surface-to-air missile systems.
The US military is now focused to a greater extent on tensions with China and Russia, according to a
Wall Street Journal report, citing senior military officials.
The United States is pulling some of its anti-aircraft and missile batteries out of the Middle East, the
Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing senior US military staffers. The removal will reportedly be conducted next month.
As many as
four Patriot missile systems will be withdrawn from Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, the edition stated, adding that
the step essentially marks a shift of attention away from the long-lasting military confrontations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, towards soured relations with China and Russia, and
subsequently to meet nascent threats from there.The US Central Command has refused to comment on the matter, the
WSJ noted.
The media outlet went on to say that there were no plans to replace the Patriot systems in the Middle Eastern countries, which is
seen as a significant decrease in the defense capability in the region since the batteries were used not only to protect the US bases in the region, but to provide defense for US allies. The missile systems will likely be sent back back to the United States for upgrades or refurbishing.
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