The United States has begun pulling key military assets from Asia to support its campaign in Iran, including a unit of up to 2,400 Marines stationed in Japan along with a command vessel carrying a squadron of F-35 fighter jets and helicopters.
The redeployments have rattled US allies in the region, "Hvylya" reports, citing Bloomberg. Western officials said China's military views the Pentagon's shifting of resources from the Indo-Pacific as a tangible positive, seeing the strategic balance tilt in Beijing's favor.
The drawdown adds to broader concerns among US allies in Asia, who have been on guard as the Pentagon continues to funnel weapons into the Iran conflict. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has confirmed the US may need to relocate air defense assets to the Middle East as well, amid reports that launchers from an advanced missile defense system have already been moved out of Asia.
For Beijing, the reallocation of American military power has become a talking point. Prominent Chinese nationalist blogger Ren Yi, known online as "Chairman Rabbit," argued on X that US allies increasingly find themselves living in an "Israel First" universe.
"This demonstrates a clear hierarchy," Ren wrote. "Israel sits at the very top, even above US interests." He added that other allies and partners are "left to fight for scraps."
Western officials told Bloomberg that President Xi Jinping would probably welcome the diversion of US attention away from the Indo-Pacific, though Beijing has not signaled any imminent move on Taiwan.
Also read: Draining the Arsenal: How the Iran War Depletes Weapons Ukraine Desperately Needs.