"US-Vietnam Arms Deal: A Game-Changer in Regional Security"

The Biden administration is in talks with Vietnam for a potential arms deal that could include the sale of a fleet of American F-16 fighter jets, marking the largest arms transfer in history between the two countries. The deal, which could irritate China and sideline Russia, aims to strengthen the partnership between the US and Vietnam as tensions rise in the disputed South China Sea. The exact terms of the deal are still being worked out, but Washington is considering special financing options to help Vietnam move away from its reliance on Russian-made arms. The potential deal could aggravate China, Vietnam's larger neighbor, and Vietnam is seeking to build up its maritime defenses without provoking a response from China.