Indeed. It’s been easy to miss. Given all the other news of late. But the U.S has steadily been either taking direct control of, or indirect defacto control of major shipping lanes as well.

We inked a Defense Agreement with Indonesia a couple days ago. Which in of itself wasn’t anything special.

Basing rights, training, assistance in Military modernization. Promises to conduct exercises with them. Fairly bog standard.

Buried in there though was terms giving the U.S clearance to fly and conduct missions over 100% of Indonesian Airspace without restrictions. Including the Strait of Malacca. Meaning traffic through there is now passing under the Aircraft of the U.S Navy and Airforce. Another checkmate on the Chinese. And really anyone else that mildly inconveniences us.