A significant military buildup by the U.S. in the Middle East has positioned its forces for what a former Pentagon official describes as a 'highly kinetic' war against Iran. Dana Stroul, currently with The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, emphasized the readiness of the U.S. military to engage in intense military operations should President Trump give the order. She noted the U.S. ability to reposition assets globally and deploy overwhelming force quickly to respond to threats.