KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia--Middle East observers are looking at the latest move by the US to pull air defense systems out of the region with keen interest, with some saying this would change the balance of power in the region.
The US is moving up to eight Patriot air defense batteries from key countries in the Middle East, according to a Wall Street Journal Report Friday. The report calls it a “major realignment” of the US military footprint, potentially affecting Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, key US partners in the region. This means it also could affect Israel. Air defense batteries are key to protecting countries against Iranian missiles and other threats.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia--Laying claim on an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 334,671 sq km,with 200 nautical miles (370.4 km) from its shores, much of it in the South China Sea, Malaysia has thus far proven to be unable to credibly enforce its claims in the area.