Biden sends missile defense system& 100 American troops to the Middle East

The United States is sending one of its most advanced missile defense systems with about 100 American troops to Israel, deepening the nation’s involvement in the escalating war in the Middle East amid expectations of an imminent Israeli assault on Iran.

The deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System to Israel is an exercise involving U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and Israeli forces, under the Dynamic Force Employment concept.

The exercise builds readiness and interoperability in the region, demonstrates the U.S. capability to rapidly deploy air defense assets globally, and demonstrates U.S. Army Europe’s mission to deter potential adversaries and support allies.

The mission marks the first significant deployment of U.S. troops to Israel since the war in Gaza began and comes just three weeks before the U.S. presidential election in which U.S. involvement in the conflict has been a polarizing issue on the campaign trail.

U.S. officials have been encouraging Israel to avoid targeting Iran’s nuclear, oil and gas sites out of fear that it could spark an even larger escalation that upends the global economy.

The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile system, or THAAD, is the latest indication that the United States expects the Israeli assault to be “so comprehensive that the Iranians will have to respond,” said Aaron David Miller, a Middle East expert who has advised multiple Republican and Democratic administrations.

The THAAD deployment adds to the more than 50,000 tons of armaments and military equipment the United States has sent Israel since the start of the war last October, according to Israel’s Defense Ministry.

This move, described by the Pentagon as an affirmation of the U.S.’s “ironclad commitment” to Israel’s defense, follows recent missile attacks by Iran.

Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder stated that the deployment aims to enhance Israel’s air defense capabilities in light of recent Iranian missile strikes. “The THAAD Battery will augment Israel’s integrated air defense system,” Ryder noted, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to protect both Israel and American personnel within its borders.

The decision comes shortly after Iran launched a missile barrage at Israel on October 1, reportedly in retaliation for the targeted killings of leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as an Iranian general. This escalation has raised concerns about a potential broader conflict in the Middle East, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promising retaliatory actions against Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the U.S. troop deployment, asserting it jeopardizes the safety of American soldiers and dismissing any “red lines” in Iran’s defense strategy. His remarks reflect Iran’s heightened rhetoric as it seeks to position itself against U.S. military involvement in the region.

The U.S. has consistently provided substantial military support to Israel, with annual aid exceeding $3.8 billion. The Biden administration has further authorized $14 billion in assistance since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October of the previous year. Despite calls from some quarters to reassess this support amid escalating violence, the administration has continued to facilitate arms transfers to Israel.

Political analysts, including Al Jazeera’s Marwan Bishara, express concern that the THAAD deployment could exacerbate regional tensions. Bishara suggested that the U.S. approach may inadvertently lead to a wider conflict, questioning whether the Biden administration is fully aware of the potential consequences of its actions.

This deployment represents the first significant U.S. troop presence in Israel since the recent conflict escalated and comes in the context of upcoming U.S. presidential elections, adding a layer of political complexity to the situation. The U.S. has previously deployed THAAD systems to the region, including a training exercise in Israel in 2019.