The deployment of the George H.W. Bush carrier strike group has been extended by the United States to provide options to policymakers in response to last week’s deadly attacks in Syria by Iran-backed forces, according to U.S. military officials on Friday. This indicates that the group and its more than 5,000 U.S. forces stationed in the European Command operational area may not return to their home port in the U.S. on schedule. The extension will also include the USS Leyte Gulf, the USS Delbert D. Black, and the USNS Arctic to potentially bolster the capabilities of CENTCOM for various contingencies in the Middle East, according to a statement by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Colonel Joe Buccino. In addition, an A-10 attack aircraft squadron will be deployed to the region on an expedited schedule. The Pentagon recently doubled its tally of American troops wounded in last week’s attacks to 12, following the diagnosis of six U.S. military personnel with traumatic brain injuries. President Joe Biden warned Iran in response that the U.S. would protect its citizens. Nevertheless, the White House has confirmed that the incidents will not lead to the U.S. withdrawing from the nearly eight-year deployment to Syria, where they are fighting the remainder of the ISIS terrorist group. Finally, the U.S. has recently prioritized national security policies for Russia, Ukraine, and the Asia-Pacific over the Middle East after two decades of involvement in the region.