[h=3]By ADAM ENTOUS[/h]KABUL—U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta intends to sign an order Friday for the deployment of two batteries of Patriot air-defense systems, along with up to 400 American troops who will man them, to Turkey as part of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization push to shore up Ankara's defenses against possible attacks from Syria, U.S. officials said.
The deployment approved by Mr. Panetta would mark a sharp expansion of the Pentagon's role along Syria's borders and comes amid increasing U.S. concern that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, under pressure from rebels forces, could resort to using chemical weapons. The U.S. says Mr. Assad recently used Scud missiles as part of his offensive against rebels, alarming countries in the region.
The Netherlands and Germany have authorized similar deployments. NATO officials have insisted the Patriots would be used only defensively and not as part of a no-fly zone over Syria.
Mr. Panetta's decision is meant to show support for Turkey, a key NATO ally and U.S. partner in a campaign to pressure Mr. Assad to stop his campaign against rebels and step aside.
The total of six batteries is significantly fewer than implied by Turkey's first request to NATO.
According to a person involved in the discussions over the deployments, Ankara originally sought help to defend all population centers within 50 miles of Turkey's roughly 565-mile border with Syria, implying the need for as many as 15 batteries.
"It indicates to NATO partners that the United States looks forward to working with them on the ground in the defense of Turkey," a U.S. official said of Mr. Panetta's decision.
Mr. Panetta on Friday wrapped up a two-day visit Kabul.
"We are committed to work together to try to strengthen their defense systems," Mr. Panetta said of Turkey at the start of his trip, without disclosing details.
The Pentagon has provided military options to President Barack Obama but has generally been cool to any intervention in Syria. Mr. Obama has all but ruled out a military campaign by the U.S.
In addition to the Patriots, the U.S. military has some trainers in Jordan.
Likewise, the Central Intelligence Agency has a small presence in Turkey working to vet arms shipments to rebel groups from Arab states.
The Obama administration last week warned Mr. Assad's regime would face "consequences" if it used chemical weapons after intelligence showed the movement of large stockpiles of such arms, including deadly sarin gas.
The administration didn't specify what those consequences might be.
The deployment approved by Mr. Panetta would mark a sharp expansion of the Pentagon's role along Syria's borders and comes amid increasing U.S. concern that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, under pressure from rebels forces, could resort to using chemical weapons. The U.S. says Mr. Assad recently used Scud missiles as part of his offensive against rebels, alarming countries in the region.
The Netherlands and Germany have authorized similar deployments. NATO officials have insisted the Patriots would be used only defensively and not as part of a no-fly zone over Syria.
Mr. Panetta's decision is meant to show support for Turkey, a key NATO ally and U.S. partner in a campaign to pressure Mr. Assad to stop his campaign against rebels and step aside.
The total of six batteries is significantly fewer than implied by Turkey's first request to NATO.
According to a person involved in the discussions over the deployments, Ankara originally sought help to defend all population centers within 50 miles of Turkey's roughly 565-mile border with Syria, implying the need for as many as 15 batteries.
"It indicates to NATO partners that the United States looks forward to working with them on the ground in the defense of Turkey," a U.S. official said of Mr. Panetta's decision.
Mr. Panetta on Friday wrapped up a two-day visit Kabul.
"We are committed to work together to try to strengthen their defense systems," Mr. Panetta said of Turkey at the start of his trip, without disclosing details.
The Pentagon has provided military options to President Barack Obama but has generally been cool to any intervention in Syria. Mr. Obama has all but ruled out a military campaign by the U.S.
In addition to the Patriots, the U.S. military has some trainers in Jordan.
Likewise, the Central Intelligence Agency has a small presence in Turkey working to vet arms shipments to rebel groups from Arab states.
The Obama administration last week warned Mr. Assad's regime would face "consequences" if it used chemical weapons after intelligence showed the movement of large stockpiles of such arms, including deadly sarin gas.
The administration didn't specify what those consequences might be.