[Seruzawa]

Even more to the point, if the United States identified Russia and China as its key strategic competitors, the Indo-Pacific as the primary theater for competition, and the Middle East, in Clausewitzian terms, as a “secondary front” or “lesser objective,” why is it sending the bulk of its combat power to the Persian Gulf?

I know the answer to this one. During the Vietnam War we called it "ticket punching". Every officer needs that combat zone deployment for the service jacket.

[Drew68]

I know the answer to this one. During the Vietnam War we called it "ticket punching". Every officer needs that combat zone deployment for the service jacket.

Could be true. They're still handing out the GWOT Expeditionary Medal just for showing up where there's sand in the air.