The United States is boosting its military presence in the Middle East even further, the Pentagon said on Sunday. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had spoken with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said. “Secretary Austin reiterated the United States’ commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of U.S. military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions.” Austin had ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, “to accelerate…