Washington, Mar 6 (NationPress) The latest defense strategy from the United States seeks to thwart China's ambitions for dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, as highlighted by a senior Pentagon official during a briefing with lawmakers. This underscores a significant shift in Washington’s attention toward the area, which is increasingly viewed as the epicenter of global strategic rivalry.

Elbridge Colby, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, informed Congress that the Indo-Pacific has become the foremost theater for U.S. military strategy, given its vital economic and strategic importance.

“Our strategy concentrates military efforts on maintaining a favorable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, which is the largest market area in the world,” Colby stated during a hearing concerning the administration’s National Defense Strategy.

He emphasized that Washington’s goal is not to provoke confrontation with Beijing but rather to prevent any single nation from asserting dominance over the region.

“We recognize that China is a formidable nation that is undergoing an extensive military expansion,” Colby remarked. “However, we are clear about our intentions: we do not seek conflict with China; on the contrary, we aim to avoid it.”

Colby highlighted that the U.S. is focused on fostering regional stability by ensuring a balance of power, rather than pursuing outright control.

“We do not aim to undermine China or force a change in its government structure. Our objective is to prevent China from becoming the hegemonic power in the Indo-Pacific,” he asserted.

The Pentagon's strategy emphasizes deterring aggression across the “first island chain,” a crucial strategic corridor that stretches from Japan to Taiwan and the Philippines.

“Our primary objective is to establish an effective denial defense along the first island chain, which is the focal point of the U.S. Armed Forces,” Colby explained.

He mentioned that this strategy illustrates a broader transition in American defense planning, prioritizing the Indo-Pacific while urging allies to take a more significant role in regional security.

“The American military, though unparalleled, cannot stretch its resources infinitely,” he noted. “Potential adversaries have been enhancing their capabilities.”

Colby also indicated that Washington anticipates that partners in Asia and Europe will increase their defense budgets and contribute more towards collective security.

“We are encouraging our affluent and capable allies to step up for collective defense,” he said.

He underscored the importance of collaboration with allies such as Japan, Australia, and South Korea to uphold regional stability and deter possible aggression.

During the hearing, bipartisan lawmakers raised concerns regarding how the U.S. would maintain its focus on China while simultaneously engaging in military operations in other regions, including the Middle East.

Colby defended the administration's strategy, asserting that recent military operations have showcased the effectiveness of U.S. forces.

“With your support in Congress, the American military is and will remain the world’s premier and unmatched fighting force, having demonstrated its capabilities impressively in recent months,” he noted, referencing operations like “Midnight Hammer,” “Absolute Resolve,” and “Epic Fury.”

He stated that the strategy aims to ensure that potential adversaries recognize the strength of U.S. forces, thereby deterring conflict.

“We expect our potential adversaries to acknowledge the formidable armed forces of the United States and the highly capable forces of our allies and partners, leading them to conclude that peace and restraint are the preferred paths,” Colby remarked.