US Bolsters Air Defense Systems in Middle East Amid Escalations by Iran

The United States will be sending a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and additional Patriot air defense missile system battalions to the Middle East in response to recent attacks on U.S. troops in the region. The decision comes as tensions soar during the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the U.S. aims to bolster regional deterrence efforts, increase force protection for its forces, and assist in the defense of Israel. The deployments mark a reversal of the Biden administration's previous withdrawal of air defense systems from the region.