Fifteen years after President Barack Obama announced a strategic rebalance to Asia, the United States finds itself still mired in Middle Eastern conflict, this time with Iran, pulling military assets from the Asia-Pacific region. The demands of the Iran war have also forced President Donald Trump to delay his planned visit to China by several weeks, deepening concerns that Washington is once again losing sight of its strategic interests in Asia, where Beijing seeks to challenge US leadership.
Critics warn that the diversion undermines preparations for next month’s summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with economic issues at stake, and could embolden China to act against Taiwan. “This is precisely the wrong time for the United States to turn away and be sucked into another intractable Middle East conflict,” said Danny Russel, a distinguished fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Others defend the approach, arguing that forceful steps against Iran and elsewhere serve to counter China globally. Matt Pottinger, former deputy national security adviser, said, “Beijing is the chief sponsor for the adversaries that President Trump is dealing with sequentially, and it’s wise to do this sequentially.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggested conflicts may not remain confined to one theatre, warning that if China moved against Taiwan, it could call on “junior partners” to divert US attention. “Most likely it will not be limited to the Indo-Pacific,” he said. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who led a bipartisan delegation to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, heard concerns about the departure of US military assets, including missile defence systems from South Korea and a Marine unit from Japan. “Failure is not an option,” she said, noting that China has expedited its timetable for taking Taiwan by force if necessary.
Kurt Campbell, a former deputy secretary of state, worried that US military capabilities patiently built up in the Indo-Pacific might not return in full even after the Iran conflict ends. Zack Cooper of the American Enterprise Institute added that the longer the conflict continues, the more it will drain resources and attention from Asia, and future arms sales to the region will suffer. Shaheen also warned that the US defence industry is struggling to replenish weapons stockpiles, with delivery timelines slipping. She expressed encouragement that Taiwan, Japan and South Korea are increasing their own defence efforts.
