Ex-Counterterrorism Chief Renews Push for US Military Pullout from Middle East

Joe Kent, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has again urged the United States to remove its military personnel from the Middle East, citing concern over potential casualties in the escalating conflict with Iran. In a post Sunday on X, Kent emphasized that the Trump administration maintains sufficient domestic political capital to declare victory and execute a withdrawal before suffering additional losses in combat operations.

Kent’s renewed advocacy comes as the U.S. military confirmed multiple service member casualties in recent days. U.S. Central Command announced Sunday that two service members died and one remains missing in Jordan following an Iranian attack on July 17, with unidentified remains discovered after a thorough search. Additionally, a service member in northern Iraq was killed July 18 during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from an Iranian drone that had been shot down, with a second soldier receiving treatment for minor injuries.

The former official departed his government position earlier this year and has been vocal in his opposition to U.S. involvement in what he characterizes as a war with Iran. In his resignation letter, Kent asserted that Iran presented no immediate threat to American security and that Washington entered the conflict primarily due to pressure from Israel and its domestic political supporters.

Kent outlined a specific strategy for resolving the conflict on American terms, proposing that removal of U.S. troops, bases, and naval vessels from the region would eliminate Iran’s primary rationale for military strikes and shipping disruptions. He characterized regional military installations as outdated liabilities rather than strategic assets, and suggested offering sanctions relief in exchange for Iranian guarantees of maritime freedom.