McKenzie Backs Shifting 40,000-50,000 U.S. Troops Westward to Israel as Iran Threatens Gulf Bases
Updated
Updated · Jewish Insider · Jun 29
McKenzie Backs Shifting 40,000-50,000 U.S. Troops Westward to Israel as Iran Threatens Gulf Bases
2 articles · Updated · Jewish Insider · Jun 29
Summary
Frank McKenzie said the U.S. should add a lasting basing anchor in Israel, including continued use of Ovda Air Base and Ben Gurion as a refueling hub, while keeping its broader Gulf footprint.
40,000 to 50,000 U.S. personnel remain spread across Middle East bases, but McKenzie said sites such as Al Udeid in Qatar sit too close to Iran after repeated drone and missile attacks damaged facilities.
Israel offers fewer host-country restrictions and stronger protection, he said, arguing its layered air defenses and operational freedom would give Washington more flexibility than traditional Gulf partners.
McKenzie said CENTCOM had already proposed a similar westward contingency plan under Biden, but Pentagon policy officials rejected it despite what he described as Iran's growing rearmament and rising risk to nearby bases.
He also cited Egypt, Jordan and Oman as possible nodes in a wider western network, while warning any basing shift has a limited shelf life as Tehran's missile range and capabilities keep expanding.
As Gulf bases become liabilities, is anchoring the U.S. military in Israel the future of Middle East security?
How does a U.S. presence in Israel challenge Iran's proxy warfare strategy across the entire region?
The 2026 U.S.-Iran War: Catalyst for U.S. Military Withdrawal from the Gulf and a New Middle East Order
Overview
The 2026 U.S.-Iran War triggered a major reassessment of U.S. military strategy in the Middle East. Hostilities began with a joint U.S. and Israeli campaign against Iran, leading to the deployment of thousands of U.S. troops and raising fears of a ground invasion. Iran’s Supreme Leader responded by declaring that regional countries would no longer protect American bases, warning that U.S. influence would decline. The war severely depleted U.S. and partner air defense capabilities, exposing vulnerabilities and prompting urgent calls for change in how the U.S. positions its forces and maintains its security in the region.