US military eyes Australia's Indian Ocean toe hold to deter China

The U.S. is considering Australia's remote Cocos Islands for military construction as part of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to counter China. This island, key for maritime surveillance, is closer to the strategic Strait of Malacca than other U.S. bases. Australia plans to expand its airfield to accommodate larger military aircraft. The potential U.S. presence underscores the island's geostrategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region amidst increasing Chinese submarine activity and broader geopolitical tensions.