Washington: The Pentagon is trying to retain its focus on Asia with a second trip to the region by Defence Secretary Mark Esper.
He sets out Wednesday for a weeklong trip as the Middle East again commands more attention in Washington and more demands on US troops.
Both of Esper's Asia visits illustrate the central feature of a revamped U.S. defense strategy: Focus first on China as a threat to US global predominance, rather than remain bogged down in a generation-long fight against extremist groups.