Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a limited number of U.S. troops to prepare for deployment in support of Israel, as reported by multiple sources.
Approximately 2,000 troops have been selected to be on standby for advisory and medical assistance.
The troops will be drawn from various branches of the U.S. military, including those already stationed in the Middle East and nearby Europe.
While their specific units and deployment locations have not been disclosed, it has been emphasized that they will not have a combat role.
The U.S. is extending support to Israel, which is engaged in a conflict with Hamas, primarily focusing on intelligence and planning assistance for potential hostage rescue operations.
Consultancy roles are a shield for providing strategic support and direction without visibly endangering your own troops and engaging in unambiguously direct acts of war. Providing existing allies with resources is not a free service either, even if it only costs “you owe us one” future diplomatic and economic pressure. The US did not get to where it is through altruism.
This very much seems the tail wagging the dog.