US risks losing focus on Indo-Pacific amid Israel-Iran war, analysts say

THE US could lose its security focus on the Indo-Pacific region due to escalating war in the Middle East, with dire consequences for the Philippines' push against Chinese expansion in the South China Sea, political analysts said at the weekend.

- By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio Reporter

Beijing might take advantage of the war between Israel and Iran by stepping up its militarization of the waterway, which could strain regional stability and test Manila's capability to protect its maritime interests, they added.

"The US is a major security partner in the Indo-Pacific region and underpins much of the region's defense agreements," Sherwin E. Ona, a security analyst and associate professor at De La Salle University, said in a Viber message. "So, tensions in the Middle East and their effect on the US defense posture is worrisome."

Israel launched surprise air attacks against Iran early this month, targeting key nuclear and ballistic missile facilities as well as senior military leaders, in what it described as an effort to cripple Tehran's ability to develop nuclear weapons.

Washington joined Israel's military campaign against Iran on Sunday, launching airstrikes on key nuclear sites well ahead of President Donald J. Trump's two-week timeline to decide on US involvement.

It was a "spectacular military success," Mr. Trump said in a televised Oval Office address, explaining that US bombers had "totally and completely obliterated" Iran's vital nuclear facilities. He opened the door for further military action if Iran does not pursue peace. "Future attacks would be far greater — and alot easier," he said.

"The US has identified the IndoPacific region as a priority theater, but Middle East tensions nevertheless could take away its focus occasionally," Julio S. Amador III, chief executive officer at Manila-based geopolitical risk firm Amador Research Services, said in a Viber message. "But that does not mean that the South China Sea is being disregarded."