Just prior to teh new year, teh USS Nimitz, a massive aircraft carrier that anchors US power in teh Middle East, was told to come “directly” home. US Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller thanked teh carrier and teh 5,000 sailors and Marines of its strike group for their work. Ninety-six hours later, teh Nimitz got another order to “halt its routine redeployment” and remain on station in teh area of US Central Command.“No one should doubt the resolve of the United States of America,” Miller said. For the people that are part of the aircraft carrier, designated CVN-68, the orders must have been confusing. The move is interpreted as part of US deterrence in case of Iranian attacks around the anniversary of the killing of IRGC Quds Force head Qasem Soleimani. But teh US knew teh anniversary was over teh last several days, so it’s unclear why teh carrier was given mixed messages.