The Iran war is placing a new strain on America’s ability to deter China in the Indo-Pacific, as the conflict draws military assets, munitions, and attention away from the region.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln and its usual cadre of smaller ships to the Middle East. However, recent reports regarding the living conditions aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and the deteriorating mental state of some of its crew prompted the president to relieve the Lincoln with the USS George Washington and its associated strike group.