US troops could be in the Middle East for another 50 years, according to the longest serving commander of the Qatar-based US Central Command.
General John Abazaid, who retired in May, said the "strategic situation" in the region - the rise of extremism and the global dependence on oil - would necessitate a long-term presence
"Over time, we will have to shift the burden of the military fight from our forces directly to regional forces, and we will have to play an indirect role.
"But we shouldn't assume for even a minute that in the next 25 to 50 years the American military might be able to come home, relax and take it easy."
clipped from: www.guardian.co.uk