US withdraws last Asia-based aircraft carrier as tensions with Iran take priority

What happened

The USS George Washington left the Pacific to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln in West Asia. The Lincoln has been deployed against Iran for over eight months and has spent more than 260 days at sea.

Why it matters

This creates a temporary gap in US military presence in the Western Pacific amid rising tensions with Iran and China's growing activities. Allies worry about the strain on the US Navy's fleet and the ability to project power.