U.S. military officials say that the island, already home to Air Force and Navy bases, would be a major staging point for bombers, submarines and troops in any conflict involving the U.S. in the Pacific, including any clash over Taiwan if the U.S. were to become involved…

Around six years ago, China revealed a new missile, described by U.S. defense analysts as the “Guam Killer,” that could reach the Chicago-sized island about 1,500 miles east of the Philippines. Since then, China’s stockpile has grown from a few dozen to around 300, according to a recent Pentagon estimate.

In a propaganda video last year, China showed a simulated attack on Guam, with dramatic music and slow-motion explosions…

U.S. military leaders are seeking hundreds of millions of dollars to add more hardware for Guam to destroy incoming missiles and protect its bases and the roughly 150,000 U.S. civilians there. In its latest review of global resources, the Pentagon highlighted the importance of Guam by pledging to upgrade its air base and other assets on the island.