China's commercial satellite industry has rapidly expanded coverage over the Middle East, and imagery of the Iran conflict zone has proliferated since strikes in late February. That imagery could be used to track movements or damage, raising concerns it might provide battlefield guidance to Iran or other actors and reveal locations of U.S. forces. New reporting that thousands of Uyghurs fought in Syria adds another layer: Chinese technological reach and the movement of foreign fighters both complicate regional force-protection and intelligence challenges for the U.S. and partners.
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