Recent Estimates Suggest the U.S. Has 45,000+ Troops in the Middle East

What we’re showing

The number of U.S. troops & contractors stationed in the Middle East, as well as key bases around the region. Troop figures were compiled by Axios, and represent the latest estimates as of Oct 2023.

Context

• U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted by drone attacks since the beginning of the current Israel-Hamas war.
• CNN recently reported that the U.S. has reached an agreement to extend its military presence at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar for another 10 years.