In his upcoming book, David Andelman says the Chinese have shown a most determined effort to enforce their red lines and their declared prerogatives across the South China Sea.
The acting defense secretary ordered the implementation of 15 broad recommendations that include a plan to crack down on participation in hate groups by service members and draft proposed changes to the UCMJ.
The unusual transit in the Persian Gulf's shallow waters comes some two weeks before the anniversary of the American drone strike in January that killed a top Iranian military commander.
Biden officials accused political appointees at the Pentagon of "limited cooperation" in the transition process, something department officials have denied.