War in Iran Erodes US Deterrence in Asia: 'A Gift to China'

The war in Iran is eroding American deterrence in Asia, according to a New York Times report. The clash between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea highlighted doubts among US allies about its ability to contain Beijing. Regional countries fear that shortages of weapons and focus on the Middle East will limit the US response in a conflict with China. China conducted a ballistic missile test, and the Trump administration is closing consulates in Japan and Indonesia. Gregory Meeks called the policy 'a gift to China'.

The war in Iran is eroding American deterrence in Asia, according to a New York Times report reviewed by Walla. The sharp clash between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea highlighted the growing doubt among US allies in the region about its ability to contain Beijing's expansion. According to the report, regional countries fear that American shortages of weapons and focus on the Middle East will limit the US response in the event of a conflict with China. The concerns sharpened after the clash at Second Thomas Shoal, where a Chinese coast guard ship encircled the Sierra Madre, a Philippine ship grounded on the reef, and its crew struck a Filipino soldier with a wooden baton. The US ambassador to the Philippines expressed outrage and stated that Washington stands with Manila. At the heart of the doubts is the erosion suffered by the US military due to the war in Iran, including a shortage of air defense interceptors. Meanwhile, China conducted a rare test of an intercontinental ballistic missile with nuclear capability, and the Trump administration decided to close American consulates in Japan and Indonesia. Gregory Meeks, the senior Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, called the policy 'a gift to China'.

War in Iran Erodes US Deterrence in Asia: 'A Gift to China'