Joseph Kent, the former director of the US National Counterterrorism Centre, has reiterated his call for the immediate withdrawal of US troops from the Middle East, particularly the Gulf region. Kent, who resigned from the Trump administration in opposition to the war with Iran, believes that US forces in the region act as 'tripwires' that could lead to further escalation and mass casualty attacks. He argues that the current conflict was initiated due to pressure from Israel and its American lobby, and that Iran poses no imminent threat to the US.
Kent's renewed calls come amid recent incidents involving US service members. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the passing of two US service members and the missing status of one in Jordan following an Iranian attack on July 17. Separately, a US service member was killed in Iraq on July 18 during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone.
President Donald Trump expressed condolences for the fallen service members and stated that Iran has been significantly weakened militarily. Kent, however, advocates for a strategic withdrawal, suggesting that removing US troops and bases from the region would deprive Iran of military targets, break the escalation cycle, and allow for sanctions relief in exchange for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He believes this move would be a strategic adaptation to modern warfare rather than a retreat.
