Pentagon Highlights Role of Allies to Counter China Threat

U.S. warship on patrol in the Indo-Pacific region in 2014. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman David Flewellyn/U.S. Navy via Getty Images

The Department of Defense recently described China as the “pacing challenge” for the U.S. military and highlighted the need for the armed forces to respond by capitalizing on its alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.

A pacing threat refers to an actor who is making significant progress towards challenging the U.S. military.