U.S. Set to Build New Military Bases in Guam, Australia

U.S. is set to build new bases in Guam and Australia in a bid to prepare the US military to counter China, a senior defense official said on Monday.

The Pentagon will situate and enhance the military infrastructure in Guam and Australia" and prioritize "military construction across the Pacific Islands, which lie in a region where Washington is pushing back against growing Chinese influence.

The steps have been prompted by the Department of Defense's global posture review, which President Joe Biden ordered Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to undertake shortly after taking office in February. Later, Austin started the global posture review in March

According to a statement by Dr. Mara Karlin, performing the duties of deputy undersecretary for policy, Biden "recently approved" Austin's findings and recommendations from the global posture review.

The statement added that the Indo-Pacific region was a major focus, because of Secretary Austin's emphasis on "China as the pacing challenge," for the Department.