United States Central Command

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) is a unified combatant command of the U.S. Department of Defense responsible for U.S. military operations and relationships in the Middle East, parts of Africa, and Central Asia. CENTCOM's area of responsibility is currently newsworthy due to ongoing tensions with Iran and continued efforts to combat ISIS. Recent events highlight CENTCOM's active role in the region. These include joint exercises conducted with allies in the Arabian Sea, likely intended as a deterrent to Iran, as well as U.S. and allied forces conducting strikes against ISIS in Syria following an attack that killed three Americans. The situation in Syria, including the management of camps holding families with alleged ISIS links, also falls within CENTCOM's area of concern. CENTCOM's presence and activities remain significant due to the volatile security environment, the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups, and the strategic importance of the region to U.S. interests.