Strategic Deterrence and China's Aggression

China's rise as a formidable economic power has been accompanied by their consistent efforts to undermine the United States' influence in the Pacific region. China's goal is to break up the United States' extended deterrent, which includes providing a nuclear umbrella to Japan and South Korea, so they can project power globally. The United States needs to acknowledge this threat and take steps to counter it by equipping its allies and ramping up production of weapons systems to replenish stocks. It is crucial to deter China's aggressive behavior in the Indo-Pacific and protect the peaceful status quo that has been maintained since the Cold War.