The last time there were two aircraft carriers and one more more amphibious groups in the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (i.e., the Middle-East), an Israeli invasion of Iran seemed imminent. This time, Iran is deeply on the backburner, however Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and others certainly are front and center. So how are key US naval assets positioned this time around? As the Stratfor graphic below shows, the US is currently fully prepared for any "surprises" that may happen in the immediate and not so immediate future.