Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security advisor under President Carter, believes that the Bush Administration must implement a four-step plan to disengage the US military from Iraq. Speaking at a media breakfast in Washington on May 25, Brzezinski told reporters that his plan calls for the new Iraqi government to assume control and US troops to pull out in one year. It also entails a firm date, announced jointly by the Iraqi and American governments. He would have the Iraqi government invite Muslim countries to discuss ways to stabilize Iraq. And, he believes that the US should organize a conference for nation states with an interest in oil to discuss ways to stabilize the Iraqi economy.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
