The planning has been underway for at least six months and “it’s heated up over the past two months or so,” said a senior U.S. intelligence official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to discuss the planning.

The official said a “heightened level of tension” had driven the preparations. “It’s nothing you wouldn’t read in the news,” he told The Messenger. “Forces building up. China aligning with Russia on Ukraine.”

A source familiar with the matter cited Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine as an impetus for the planning. “Ukraine drove a relook at what the plans were,” he said.

[I saw this earlier and think it’s probably nothing more than game-planning. After the disgraceful exit from Afghanistan and the fumbled response to the collapse in Khartoum last month, perhaps the State and Defense Departments finally wised up. — Ed]