Lawmakers have been waiting for a better explanation than has been forthcoming from the Pentagon over its plan to remake the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. According to The Hill, the lawmakers’ chief concern is over the policy shop’s plans for the Congressionally created Office Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. The Congressional newspaper reports that a Capitol Hill “source” says lawmakers have gotten “less comfortable” with each succeeding Pentagon briefing.
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.
