Bunkers or bait? The fall of U.S. military might in West Asia

America’s military presence in West Asia has transformed from a symbol of unassailable power to a collection of vulnerable targets, raising fundamental questions about the future of US dominance in one of the world’s most volatile regions.

Scattered across seven countries, 19 major American military installations once projected unchallenged authority. From Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base—home to US Central Command’s forward headquarters to Bahrain’s Naval Support Activity housing the Fifth Fleet, these facilities were designed to deter Iran, protect Israel, secure oil routes, and reassure Gulf allies of American commitment.

However, the strategic landscape has shifted dramatically. What were once considered impregnable fortresses have become prime targets for Iran and its network of proxy militias. The transformation began in earnest following the 2020 assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, when Tehran’s retaliation saw 16 ballistic missiles strike Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, injuring over 100 American personnel.

The pattern has intensified alarmingly. Between October 2023 and early 2024, more than 190 recorded attacks targeted US installations across Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. The January 2024 drone strike on Tower 22 in Jordan proved particularly devastating, killing three American soldiers in their sleep. Most audaciously, Iran launched a direct missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in June 2025, targeting the nerve centre of US regional operations.

These attacks represent more than tactical strikes they symbolise a fundamental shift in regional power dynamics. Iran-aligned militias operating under the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” umbrella have demonstrated that American bases, despite sophisticated defence systems including Patriot missiles and Iron Dome batteries, remain vulnerable to asymmetric warfare tactics.

The dilemma facing Washington is stark: whilst these installations serve critical strategic purposes from containing Iranian ambitions to securing global oil routes—they’ve simultaneously become lightning rods for regional tensions. Each attack fuels domestic anti-war sentiment whilst emboldening America’s adversaries.

As Gulf states increasingly develop their own military capabilities and forge new alliances, the question becomes whether America’s sprawling military footprint still guarantees regional stability or merely invites perpetual conflict. The answer will likely define the future of American influence in West Asia for decades to come.

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