The Pentagon approved an investment plan worth almost $ 8 billion to increase the US presence in the Asia-Pacific region over the next five years. About this newspaper The Wall Street Journal. The plan envisages the modernization of military infrastructure, the conduct of additional exercises and the deployment of new forces and ships. The plan was initially introduced by Senator John McCain. He called his proposals "The Initiative of Asia-Pacific Stability". The initiative was supported by other members of Congress, as well as Secretary of Defense James Mattis and the head of the Pacific Command Harry Harris. The US is considered a threat to the actions of the PRC, which claims contested water areas in the South China Sea, builds military infrastructure there and builds up its forces. According to Washington, such actions increase the risk of conflict and can threaten security throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The Pentagon supported the allocation of $ 8 billion for a military presence in Asia.