Indonesia and the United States began annual joint military exercises on Monday together with forces from a dozen other countries, as the U.S. pushes its allies to take threats from China more seriously.

The top U.S. commander in the Pacific is warning senators that the military support that China and North Korea are providing to Russia in its war on Ukraine risks security in his region as Moscow provides critical military assistance to both in return.

A U.S. admiral says American forces are ready with a “range of options” to deal with increasing acts of aggression in the disputed South China Sea after consultations with treaty ally the Philippines.

Indo-Pacific commander Adm. Samuel Paparo says the U.S. military is open to the possibility of escorting Philippine ships in the disputed South China Sea, depending on consultations under the allies’ 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

President Joe Biden has chosen Adm. Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy.

U.S. officials say a Navy admiral with extensive experience in the Indo-Pacific has been recommended to be the service’s next top leader.