MIDDLE EAST/MILITARY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Trump said on Thursday [5-23-19] that he had not yet decided whether to deploy additional troops to the Middle East to provide protection for American military personnel already there, but would consider options presented by the Pentagon. The president’s comments, during a farm aid event at the White House, came after a statement from the acting defense secretary, Patrick Shanahan, that top administration officials were considering an additional troop deployment in light of increased tensions with Iran. Mr. Shanahan did not specify how many troops were under consideration. Mr. Trump, responding to questions from reporters, said he did not think the additional troops would be needed, but said he was willing to consider it. Mr. Shanahan and Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were at the White House on Thursday to brief Mr. Trump on military options to protect American troops stationed in the Middle East.”
–Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt, “Trump Considering Sending More Troops to Middle East to Protect U.S. Forces There,” The New York Times online, May 23, 2019