Lawmakers want DOD update on Middle East military readiness

Alongside several fellow House Armed Services Committee members, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) this week demanded a briefing of the Department of Defense’s efforts to bolster the U.S. military’s readiness in the Middle East given recent troubling actions by Iran. 

“We write with serious questions concerning the Department of Defense’s readiness and posture in the Middle East following the Obama Administration’s Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran,” the legislators wrote in a letter to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.

The letter discusses multiple less-than-favorable-actions displayed by the Iranians since the Obama administration signed the JCPOA earlier this year. 

“The U.S. must have the necessary assets in place to monitor Iranian activities, harden our cyber systems at home and abroad, and have our force postured to respond immediately,” the letter said. “This requires diligence in evaluating our forward basing options while maintaining an appropriate force mixture in the region coupled with adequate force protection measures.”

The letter also reiterates that the United States should strive to prevent Iran from gaining political or military influence in neighboring countries, or assume an increased freedom to maneuver.

“In light of these developments and in accordance with our Congressional oversight responsibility, the undersigned request a classified briefing on the actions taken by the Department of Defense to better position itself to respond to a more assertive and aggressive Iranian regime,” the letter concludes.