US Mulls Shrinking Middle East Footprint After Iran War

US military planners are reportedly weighing a reduced footprint in the Middle East if the war with Iran ends, potentially moving to fewer troops and facilities while keeping some locations for ongoing operations; about 50,000 US personnel are in the region along with two aircraft carriers and more than a dozen destroyers, with options including redeploying forces to the US for missions or not rebuilding damaged bases to cut costs, and CIA officers are returning to the region as plans mature for next year, while Bahrain’s 5th Fleet is not expected to return soon.