JD Vance says Israel and Arab states can "police their region of the world" after Hamas defeat

Vice President JD Vance argued in May 2024 that after a complete victory over Hamas, Israel and neighboring Arab states could handle security in their own region with far less American involvement. He was making the case for shifting U.S. military attention toward East Asia. The Trump administration, however, has done the reverse: the last aircraft carrier based in the Pacific is heading to the Middle East, and exercises in South Korea are being scaled back. Trump also said South Korea declined his invitation to join U.S. efforts to denuclearize Iran. The moves follow U.S. strikes on Iran and a reported halt in Taiwan arms sales because of ammunition spent there.