Vice President Kamala Harris recently claimed that for the first time this century, no U.S. military personnel are serving in active combat zones. This statement, made during a debate with former President Donald Trump, raised eyebrows and prompted fact-checks due to its misleading nature.
While Harris’ words might have left room for interpretation, it is clear that U.S. troops are still stationed in dangerous areas worldwide. The Pentagon confirmed that while the U.S. is not officially at war, military personnel continue to serve in regions where hostile activity is common. These deployments are directed by the executive branch, not by Congress through formal declarations of war.
A Pentagon official clarified, “Serving in locations with hostile actions does not necessarily mean being engaged in war. The U.S. currently has no troops fighting in active war zones.” However, they acknowledged that troops still face dangerous conditions in certain regions.
Mark Montgomery, a retired rear admiral and senior director for the Center on Cyber and Tech Innovation, pointed out that the U.S. has been quietly scaling down war zone designations in recent years. Despite this, some military members continue to receive combat-related hazardous duty pay, which is a clear indication that they are serving in high-risk environments. Syria, for example, is a region where U.S. forces remain at risk.
Though Harris’ assertion that no U.S. troops are in “combat zones” is technically correct in terms of declared wars, it overlooks ongoing military operations. Recently, U.S. forces conducted a raid in Syria, leading to the death of a senior ISIS commander, and several soldiers were injured in another mission targeting ISIS.
Robert Greenway, a former senior official in the Trump administration, criticized Harris’ statement, noting that U.S. forces have been continuously deployed to combat zones since the Gulf War in 1991. He highlighted recent attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and ships in the Red Sea, underscoring the reality of ongoing military operations.
In Iraq, around 2,500 U.S. troops are still stationed, with discussions underway for a potential withdrawal by 2025. This process is expected to unfold in phases, concluding by 2026, according to Iraqi officials.
While Harris’ statement may not have been entirely false, it glosses over the complex and dangerous nature of U.S. military deployments around the globe. The fact remains that American troops are still engaged in perilous missions, even if they are not officially fighting in declared war zones.
