Bahrain Mirror: The Stars and Stripes news website said on Friday (October 9, 2015) that the US Navy's USS Theodore Roosevelt exited the Gulf, marking the first time since 2007 the US hasn't had an aircraft carrier deployed there.

The Stars and Stripes added that "the scheduled gap of carrier presence comes during a time of increased tensions in the region, including Russian military involvement in Syria, ongoing fighting in Iraq and a civil war in Yemen."

According to a military source, it further stated that "the next aircraft carrier isn't expected to arrive in the Gulf until this winter."

While the military spokesperson stressed that there is "the necessary combat power to meet theater security commitments and effectively prosecute the ongoing conflict against ISIL," the Stars and Stripes reported that some analysts and politicians have criticized the carrier gap as placing limits on military options.

Arabic Issue