US forces currently near Iraq include 9,000 troops in Kuwait, including one armored brigade (with 115 M-1A1 tanks) and several air bases. Offshore are 2,200 marines. In Qatar there are 3,300 American troops and a major airbase. Central Command is moving a forward command post (with 600 personnel) here in November. There is also equipment stored here for one armored brigade.  In Saudi Arabia there are 6,000 US troops, who normally have use of several major air bases and underground headquarters facilities. In Oman, 2,400 American troops staff a major air base. In the United Arab Emirates, 500 US Air Force personnel staff a major air base. Turkey has 1,700 American troops working at the Incerlik air base. Off shore, there are usually two aircraft carrier battle groups. Far to the south, in the Indian Ocean, there is additional equipment for an army armor brigade and a marine brigade, stored on fast transports. 

The US has begun delivering the message, via various means, to Iraqi troops that if they don't fight American troops, they will live. If they turn on Saddam, they will be rewarded. If they resist, they will die.