The U.S. has cut its troop presence in Niger by almost half

The letter includes groups with a “nexus” to the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, AUMF, which “enables U.S. forces” to enter into hostilities with Al-Qaida and derivative groups, said Jonathan Lord, director of the Middle East Security Program at the Center for a New American Security. “What you’re not going to necessarily see in this report is a broader posture in the Middle East or elsewhere.”

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With the U.S. deployment of air defense systems like the Avenger and Patriot to the region, Lord said that probably means more troops strategically positioned around the Middle East for the protection of U.S. forces and installations.

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