Bryan Clark appears on ChinaTalk to discuss the United States military build-up in the Middle East and the importance of getting a return on investment for such a large-scale deployment. Clark notes that direct financial cost may not currently be substantial, but there may be long-term budgeting challenges if large, sustained deployments continue.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow late on April 29, 2026. (Getty Images)