The assassination of Iran’s Quds Force leader, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, marks the latest escalation a dangerous standoff between Washington and Tehran. Despite visible U.S. efforts to pivot to Asia and disengage from the Middle East, it is clear that Iran’s growing influence in the region and its proxy challenges to the United States will force Washington to devote additional forces to the region.

These developments have occurred amid concerns about Russian aggression and expansionism in strategically important spaces beyond Eastern Europe.