The transfer of the USS George Washington from the Pacific to the Middle East represents a significant national security concern for the United States, according to a former commander of the aircraft carrier. As the last deployed carrier in Asia, the ship is being drawn into the conflict with Iran. It is set to relieve the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has faced calls for investigations due to reports of supply shortages and mental health issues among its 5,000-plus sailors and Marines, isolated from land since December.
Concerns have emerged about the overstretched capacity of the U.S. Navy due to Middle East conflicts, potentially weakening preparedness for future challenges with China. Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, once in charge of Carrier Strike Group 5 aboard the George Washington, expressed that this reallocation will leave U.S. naval power limited for over 18 months. After Middle Eastern duties, the carrier will undergo maintenance.
This is a national security risk as it sends a weak deterrence message to China and does not assure America’s allies and partners in the Pacific,said Montgomery, currently with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
The White House redirected inquiries to the Pentagon, which avoids commenting on subjects that might affect operational security. The U.S. Navy referred questions to the U.S. Pacific Command. President Donald Trump has stressed the need for allied nations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, to increase defense budgets for addressing threats from China’s advanced military. Efforts have pressured Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea to bolster military investment.
On a recent Sunday, Trump scaled back military exercises planned with South Korea, citing the exercises as inappropriate and shifting blame to Seoul’s lack of participation in U.S. Middle Eastern campaigns. His use of arms sales to Taiwan as leverage worried Taiwanese lawmakers, triggering concerns given China’s view of Taiwan as a rogue province. The U.S., while supportive of Taiwan through aid and weapons, acknowledges the ‘One China’ principle without officially recognizing Taipei.
China aims for its military to be capable of taking Taiwan by 2027. Its navy now boasts more vessels than the U.S., outfitted with advanced weapons. The nation benefits from U.S. distractions and allied frustrations, noted Greg Poling, director of the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS.
The Washington’s Voyage
As of Thursday, the George Washington navigated the Singapore Strait. An unnamed source indicated it was passing through the nearby Strait of Malacca, a crucial marine passage linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Lincoln followed a similar route when redirected. In Guam in mid-June, the Washington was in the Philippine Sea by early July. On July 30, it made a scheduled stop in Da Nang, Vietnam, before departing less than a week later.
Newsweek editors Ben Kelly and Sam Wilson were contacted for insights regarding this story.