美从英撤离B-1轰炸机 或考虑战略收缩前沿部署

According to recent news from the United States, the U.S. military has withdrawn all B-1 bombers from the Fairford Air Force Base in the UK. This base has been used by the U.S. military for decades as a staging ground for bomber missions in the Middle East.

In response to the urgent withdrawal of all B-1 bombers from the Fairford Air Force Base, the U.S. stated that it was due to the risk of drone attacks from Iran, which Iran has denied. Is this large-scale withdrawal of bombers merely a precaution for safety, or does it reflect a strategic adjustment in the U.S. overseas forward deployment?

The U.S. finds itself in a "difficult position" regarding Iran, forced to make a tactical withdrawal

Special Commentator Su Xiaohui: From a tactical perspective, the hasty withdrawal of strategic bombers by the U.S. indicates that it is in a difficult position. The U.S. has noted that Iran has clearly stated that any foreign military base used to attack Iran would be considered a legitimate target for retaliation. The U.S. also observed that on August 16, the Iranian Supreme National Security Council decided that if the U.S. fails to lift its maritime blockade against Iran within 45 days, Iran reserves the option to launch a new round of strikes against U.S. forces. The threats issued by Iran cannot be ignored by the U.S., which is now maintaining a high state of military alertness.

The U.S. is concerned about frontline risks and alliance relations, considering strategic contraction

Special Commentator Su Xiaohui: Strategically, this withdrawal is not an isolated incident; the U.S. is considering whether to scale back its forward deployments, indicating a potential shift. First, the U.S. is assessing its own security risks, as overseas military deployments and forward positioning inevitably mean that U.S. forces face the pressure of being targeted and the risk of casualties. Additionally, the U.S. has criticized host countries for failing to provide adequate security support, which has instead become a burden. On the other hand, several European countries have clearly stated that they do not wish to serve as a springboard for U.S. strikes against the Middle East, fearing for their own security and interests. If an attack occurs, even if the U.S. can take so-called retaliatory actions, it would still impact transatlantic relations, a risk and cost that the U.S. is unwilling to bear.