Deterrence

The United States has been deploying hundreds of combat aircraft and support assets to the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran. According to AeroTime, fighter squadrons have been transiting en masse from US and European bases towards the region, including F-35 and F-16 fighters, as well as E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft.

The US, UK, and democracies across the Indo-Pacific are rethinking deterrence as China expands its military power. At this year's Shangri-La Dialogue, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Beijing's actions reveal a lack of respect for neighbors and challenge sovereignty, freedom of navigation, and overflight.