Senior US officials say the Pentagon is poised to move at least 4,000 US forces from Iraq to Kuwait at the end of the year.

The 1st Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division would move within weeks as part of a still-developing Pentagon strategy that ends the Iraq war but positions a strong US force just across the border.

US officials say the idea is to reinforce America’s military commitment in the Middle East and prevent a power vacuum when the tens of thousands of US forces who have served in Iraq are gone.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has not given final approval.

All but a handful of US forces will leave Iraq by December 31 under terms of a deal with Baghdad.

 

Source: Khaleej Times