Defense Official Says U.S. Remains Committed to Middle East

"The preferred method to ensure Iran doesn't get a nuclear weapon, Stroul said, is the diplomatic course. But that has to be backed up with a willingness and a capability to use force"

Department of Defense statement: “With over 30,000 troops in the Middle East at multiple locations, the United States' commitment to the Middle East hasn't changed — despite the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and its significant drawdown in Iraq, said the deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East.

"The significant capabilities across ou…