The U.S. is still engaged in negotiations with Kuwait over redeploying there thousands of U.S. combat troops now exiting Iraq, despite initial push-back from the Gulf state.

“Discussions are underway” with Kuwaiti leaders while no final agreement has been reached, anonymous senior defense official told the Associated Press.

The United States already has well over 20,000 forces in Kuwait more or less permanently, but commanders and administration officials are seeking to boost the military’s presence in the region, citing concern over Iranian influence and the need to have proximate forces ready to attack in case of instability in Iraq.

“Troops and families of the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division are being notified that 1/1 CAV will likely be repositioned [in Kuwait] … for the remainder of their 12-month deployment,” said a message posted on the army unit’s Facebook page by the unit’s commander, Colonel Scott Efflandt.

The plan is to place about 3,500 – 4,500 extra troops from Iraq into Kuwait in order for the Obama administration to complete the illusion of some sort of withdrawal from the region. Claims about creeping Iranian influence or that the U.S. has any actual national security justification for the remaining presence are merely for public consumption, as an enduring military presence is necessary for control over the oil resources of the region and to maintain dominance over the politics of Gulf states.

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