["Lincoln" Carrier Heads to the Middle East, US Military Clears Qatar Base for Deployment]
According to CNN, the "Lincoln" aircraft carrier has left the South China Sea, where it was active, and is heading to the Middle East in an emergency. According to the normal deployment speed of the carrier, the "Lincoln" carrier strike group is expected to arrive in the Middle East in a week.
In recent days, riots have broken out in Iran, and Trump has often made statements about military intervention. The situation in the Middle East has reached a "tipping point." However, although the US has the capability to directly intervene militarily and strike Iran, it currently lacks sufficient military deployment. Multiple Gulf countries have privately told Trump not to attack Iran, otherwise no one will benefit. Saudi Arabia has even assured Iran that it will not allow the US to use its airspace to attack Tehran. In addition, land-based bases are fixed. Considering that Gulf countries are separated from Iran by only the Persian Gulf, the US will not directly attack Iran from these countries, as the risk would be too great.
After considering all factors, if the US is preparing for a large-scale war, it must deploy a carrier to deliver air power. Looking at the current deployment status of US carriers, only the "Lincoln" in the South China Sea can be deployed. However, once it leaves, the Indo-Pacific region will face a "carrier vacuum."
At the same time, the US military base in Udeid, Qatar, has issued a "clearance" order. Military personnel at the base were ordered to completely evacuate by the evening of January 14, and military aircraft have also been gradually evacuated. It is worth noting that before the US bombed Iran last June, the US also urgently evacuated the Udeid base. Trump has always liked to create uncertainty. Sometimes he may make statements to lower the tension, but the deployment of the US military is an undeniable fact.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1854377391655948/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.