Congress nudges Trump toward Gulf missile defense
Congress is trying to revive US-led talks for a GCC-wide missile shield against Iran that have stalled amid tensions with Qatar.
![IRAQ KUWAIT REACTION An American made Patriot missile launcher of the Kuwait Air Force, used
to shoot down incoming ballistic missiles, is deployed in an undated
file photograph. A U.S. Patriot missile battery may have engaged a
British Royal Air Force aircraft near
the Kuwaiti border on Sunday, a Pentagon spokesman said. REUTERS/Kuwait
Ministry of Defence - RP3DRINEPZAA](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2018/05/RTRKNUR.jpg/RTRKNUR.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=dLSDk_jr)
Congress is pressing the Donald Trump administration to revive a US push for a Gulf-wide missile defense shield to defend against Iran that has stalled amid a diplomatic squabble with Qatar.
Annual defense authorization legislation released today by the House Armed Services Committee calls on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to take “meaningful steps” toward building an “interoperable ballistic missile threat” that emphasizes “information sharing” and includes “early warning and tracking data.” The bill also recommends that the United States continue missile defense exercises in the region and increase relevant arms sales.