CENTCOM Looks to Build on US Military Guarantees to United Arab Emirates

General says Iran is 'morally responsible' for Houthi strikes

Gen. Kennetth McKenzie, the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) is headed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to build more on US military assurances and reinforcement of defenses after Houthi missile fire into UAE territory.

This comes just days after the US sent the USS Cole and several fighter jets to the UAE. Gen. McKenzie says he wants them to know the US is a “reliable partner” committed to defending the nation.

President Biden had previously said he wanted to get out of the Yemen War, but as escalations of the war have led to strikes against other nations involved in it, the Pentagon seems to be eagerly committing deeper to the conflict.

Talking up the regional nature of this war, Gen. McKenzie insisted the Houthis are using Iranian equipment against UAE, and that this makes Iran “morally responsible” for the strikes.

Trying to make the situation about Iran is clearly done with an eye toward deepening US involvement. The Pentagon tends to push such narratives when it seems that the administration might be backing away from a long war.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press. View all posts by Jason Ditz

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4 thoughts on “CENTCOM Looks to Build on US Military Guarantees to United Arab Emirates”

robert scheetz says:

February 7, 2022 at 10:17 am

Gen. McKenzie, head of CENTCOM and Raytheon sales force, …not necessarily in that order….
wars r u.s. says:

February 7, 2022 at 10:22 am

“Talking up the regional nature of this war, Gen. McKenzie insisted the Houthis are using Iranian equipment against UAE, and that this makes Iran “morally responsible” for the strikes.”

Wow, that’s ballsy considering all the weaponry the US sells to any willing buyers. It’s like these generals aren’t all that smart.
Don Bacon says:

February 7, 2022 at 11:47 am

McKenzie should wake up and smell the coffee. The US is well on its way out of the Middle East and clinging to Iran for a reason to prolong the pullout is a non-starter, especially with UAE which is an Iran ally.
..from ManaraMagazine, Jan 21

Countries such as the UAE have sought to improve relations with Iran. This is a notable shift in the Emirates’ foreign policies towards its neighbor, which seems to be driven by adopting a more pragmatic approach for the sake of security and economic benefits.
The UAE did not sever ties with Iran even at the height of political tensions, indicating a balanced approach. Following the 2016 attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran, the UAE joined its Gulf Cooperation Council partners and condemned Iran, but refused to close its embassy in Tehran. Indeed, even during the rule of the former Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the UAE found ways to put aside its differences and cooperate with Tehran. . . . It is also the first country in the Persian Gulf to talk about the need for Syria to return to the Arab League. . .here
Brockland A.T. says:

February 11, 2022 at 12:49 am

Biden is haunted by the messy Afghan pullout.

Trump was burned by a bomb attack on US soldiers during his failed Syrian pullout, just before the military all but mutinied and he spun that into “We’re taking the oil’.

There’s not much US presence on the ground here, though, to be taken hostage.

The Saudis are leaning towards the exits but want ‘Peace with dignity’, but they are hardly under threat the same way the US was in occupied territory.

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