US pulls last aircraft carrier in Asia as Trump focuses on Iran and the Western Hemisphere
- The USS George Washington is leaving the Pacific and is expected to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East.
- The Lincoln’s deployment has been extended from its original May return date to support operations against Iran.
- For a time, the move leaves the western Pacific without a U.S. aircraft carrier, although the gap may be short-lived if another carrier is deployed soon.
- Analysts said the shift reflects a U.S. focus away from the Asia-Pacific and toward Iran and the Western Hemisphere.
- China has recently carried out military activity around Japan, the Philippines and the South China Sea while U.S. allies in the region remain unsettled by the carrier absence.
The article says the U.S. is removing its last aircraft carrier from Asia as the Trump administration shifts more of its military attention to Iran and the Western Hemisphere. The USS George Washington is leaving the Pacific and is expected to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East.
The Lincoln’s time at sea has been extended beyond its original May return date so it can support operations against Iran. The result is a period in which the western Pacific will not have a U.S. aircraft carrier, though analysts said that situation could be temporary if another carrier is sent soon.
Defense analysts said the move highlights a broader U.S. retreat from the Asia-Pacific region and has left regional allies uncertain. They said American partners in the Pacific are unsettled by the unpredictability of the administration and by the absence of a carrier presence.
The article also notes that China has been active militarily in the region, including exercises with Indonesia and drills near the Scarborough Shoal, as well as a live-fire exercise near Japan. U.S. officials, including Adm. Frank Bradley, have been trying to reassure allies such as the Philippines and Japan that Washington remains committed.
美国将亚洲最后一艘航母调离，特朗普将重心转向伊朗和西半球
这篇报道说，美国正在把其在亚洲最后一艘航母撤出，特朗普政府则把更多军事注意力转向伊朗和西半球。美国“乔治·华盛顿”号正在离开太平洋，预计将前往中东接替“亚伯拉罕·林肯”号。
“林肯”号的部署时间已超过原定5月返航安排，以支持针对伊朗的行动。这样一来，西太平洋将在一段时间内没有美国航母，不过分析人士认为，如果美军在不久后再派出另一艘航母，这一情况可能只是暂时的。
防务分析人士表示，这一调动反映出美国对亚太地区的关注正在减弱，也让地区盟友感到不确定。报道说，美国在太平洋伙伴对政府的反复无常以及航母缺位感到不安。
报道还提到，中国近期在该地区加强了军事活动，包括与印度尼西亚举行海军演习、在黄岩岛附近开展演练，以及在日本附近进行实弹演习。美国官员，包括美国特种作战司令部负责人弗兰克·布拉德利上将，正在努力向菲律宾和日本等盟友重申华盛顿的承诺。