The Hill:
The Pentagon is removing missile defense systems from the Middle East as the U.S. ramps up its rhetoric against Iran, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
Secretary of Defense James Mattis is withdrawing two Patriot missile systems from Kuwait, one from Jordan, and one from Bahrain next month as part of a realignment of security architecture to counter threats from Russia and China, according to the report.
Patriot missile systems are mobile units capable of shooting down missiles and planes. They have been used primarily for defense purposes, protecting U.S. assets in the region as well as their allies. Some systems will remain in the region, but officials said the removals are a major drawdown, according to the report.
