Changes

=== China ===

=== China ===

In August 2019, Secretary Esper stated that China was the DoD's number one priority and that "they are clearly professionalizing and expanding the capacity and capabilities of the military to push the United States out of the theater (of the Middle East)." The DoD warned that China's efforts to gain influence in the Middle East could undermine defense cooperation between the U.S. and regional allies. Mulroy added that China had a “desire to erode US military advantages” using their investments for "economic leverage and coercion" and "intellectual property theft and acquisition." He continued that the U.S. was committed to improving the capacity of its partners to fight terrorism, deter regional destabilizers and promote overall stability in the Middle East, but – as seen in the department's decision to cancel Turkey's F-35 program – should be prepared to make hard decisions to protect U.S. technology."

In August 2019, Secretary Esper stated that China was the DoD's number one priority and that "they are clearly professionalizing and expanding the capacity and capabilities of the military to push the United States out of the theater (of the Middle East)."<ref>{{cite web|last=Haines|first=Tim|date=August 22, 2019|title=Defense Secretary Esper: China "Has Studied Us," Expanding Military To "Push U.S. Out" Of The Region|url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/08/22/defense_secretary_esper_china_has_studied_us_expanding_military_to_push_us_out_of_the_region.html|website=www.realclearpolitics.com}}</ref> The DoD warned that China's efforts to gain influence in the Middle East could undermine defense cooperation between the U.S. and regional allies. Mulroy added that China had a “desire to erode US military advantages” using their investments for "economic leverage and coercion" and "intellectual property theft and acquisition."<ref>{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Aime|date=August 21, 2019|title=Pentagon warns of China's growing influence in the Middle East|url=https://www.ft.com/content/4a9b008a-c2be-11e9-a8e9-296ca66511c9|website=Financial Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Detsch|first=Jack|date=August 19, 2019|title=Pentagon sees warning for China in Turkey's F-35 ouster|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/08/turkey-f35-program-china-warning.html|website=Al-Monitor}}</ref> He continued that the U.S. was committed to improving the capacity of its partners to fight terrorism, deter regional destabilizers and promote overall stability in the Middle East, but – as seen in the department's decision to cancel Turkey's F-35 program – should be prepared to make hard decisions to protect U.S. technology."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1168429/donald-trump-china-trade-war-turkey-erdogan-Iran-Middle-East-spt |title=Trump warned Turkey punishment could 'hand Middle East to China' |last=Jaffer |first=Kumail |date=August 21, 2019 |website=Express.co.uk}}</ref>

=== Egypt ===

=== Egypt ===