The guidance document, however, refocuses attention on the Asia-Pacific area and names China and Iran as state actors that need to be contained. To deter and contain China, the United States will work with its "network of allies and partners." Bypassing its long-term ally Pakistan, the document names India as furthering US aims in Asia. In a similar vein, the document also turns to allies in the Middle East, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council nations, to "prevent Iran's development of a nuclear weapon capability and counter its destabilizing policies."

XREF: Connects to the broader geopolitical literature on Washington's Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy and the shifting role of allies over bilateral partnerships.

Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politi…, loc. 434