Adm. William Fallon, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, says the US has made some headway in its efforts to engender more transparency about China’s military endeavors. Yet, Fallon told Associated Press news service, that Beijing has not shifted enough for him to recommend Washington permit extensive military exchanges between the two countries. He has invited them to witness a US-led exercise based on Guam next month.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.