Joe Kent Advocates for U.S. Troop Withdrawal from the Middle East
Joe Kent, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has reiterated his call for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Middle East amidst ongoing tensions with Iran. In a post on X, he emphasized the importance of acting swiftly to avoid further casualties. “Let’s deploy the military now, before we inflict too many casualties,” he remarked. Kent also mentioned that President Trump still has the political influence to declare victory, but that opportunity could fade if losses continue. “Now is the time to withdraw immediately,” he stated on Sunday.
These comments came in response to a report from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) detailing recent military casualties. On July 17, two U.S. soldiers were confirmed dead and one is missing in Jordan following an attack related to the ongoing conflict with Iran. CENTCOM noted that an unidentified body was located during the search effort, and an investigation is ongoing.
In separate incidents, a U.S. service member was killed in Iraq on July 18 during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance linked to an Iranian drone, with another service member suffering minor injuries from the explosion.
During the same time, White House Press Secretary commented on remarks made by President Trump, who expressed disappointment over the situation. Trump pointed out that the sacrifices made by U.S. troops aimed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities. He added that Iran has faced significant losses and has limited military resources left.
Kent had previously resigned from his position due to his objections to the ongoing conflict with Iran, asserting that Iran was not an immediate threat to the U.S. Moreover, he mentioned in his resignation that the war was initiated under the influence of powerful lobbying efforts.
In a more recent discussion, he proposed a strategy focused on removing U.S. troops and bases from the area as a means to secure better outcomes. He argued that this would remove significant military targets for Iran and might allow for a more diplomatic approach, suggesting easing sanctions in exchange for safe navigation in strategic waters.
