The Pentagon has rerouted an aircraft carrier strike group from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East, marking the US Navy’s fourth such manoeuvre in less than a year and prompting words of caution in Taiwan.
Analysts said the United States would need to look at ways to balance immediate operational needs in the Middle East with long-term strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific, as fluctuating and prolonged conflicts make increased demands on American military resources.
According to US and other media reports, the nuclear-powered USS Nimitz halted operations in the South China Sea on Monday to sail to the Middle East to support the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group.
The carrier cancelled plans to dock in Vietnam this week, Reuters reported on Monday citing sources, one of whom said the US embassy in Hanoi had mentioned “an emergent operational requirement”.
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US Navy jets fly over American aircraft carrier in South China Sea
US Navy jets fly over American aircraft carrier in South China Sea
The latest US Navy redeployment comes as arch-enemies Israel and Iran are engaged in their worst hostilities in decades.
