Hegseth Proposes 'Ambitious' US-ASEAN Defence Framework at Philippine Summit
Hegseth said Washington would back the pledge with practical cooperation on maritime awareness, interoperability and naval ties.
- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Cebu, Philippines, on Wednesday for the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus , where the Pentagon says he will reaffirm Washington's commitment to "peace through strength."
- Strained U.S. military readiness from the Iran war and intensified friction in the South China Sea dominate the context, as the Philippines faces a "difficult balance" while managing ongoing maritime disputes with Beijing.
- The meeting brings together defense officials from the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and eight dialogue partners, with defense chiefs from the "Squad"—the U.S., Japan, Australia, and the Philippines—scheduled to meet today.
- Regional counterparts are seeking reassurance regarding Washington's commitment to alliances, though analyst Greg Poling expects only "tactical cooperation on the ADMM workstreams" and "no strategic alignment on the South China Sea or other thorny issues."
- Talks aim to lay groundwork for two meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for later this year, as Hegseth's presence factors into Beijing's calculations.
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US military minister Pete Hegsett, at a meeting of ASEAN heads of defence in Cebu, Philippines, called for the establishment of a framework for military cooperation that would counterbalance Beijing, reports the Pentagon.
Key news items from VOA's "Today's Focus" on October 29, 2026 include: Secretary of War Hergace proposes establishing a US-ASEAN defense cooperation framework; Russian and Ukrainian officials say the ceasefire has lasted 30 hours with no violations; Israel's elections have completed 85% vote counting, with the race remaining close; the US Air Force's hypersonic missile ARRW enters mass production; from Discovery to SpaceX, a review of the develo…
Hegseth seeks to assuage Southeast Asian partners on trip to Philippines
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attempted to assuage Southeast Asian partners this week that the U.S. is dedicated to its allies in the Asia-Pacific region and pitched a defense framework to guide cooperation in the next few years during his trip to the Philippines. Hegseth said the Trump administration’s “strong, quiet and clear” approach to the…
Hegseth pushes new Asian defense framework as China flexes military might - The Daily Bo Snerdley
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth proposed a sweeping new military cooperation framework with Southeast Asian nations Wednesday as Washington moves to strengthen regional defenses against China’s growing military presence. The proposal would deepen American military cooperation with the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including expanded maritime surveillance, naval coordination and joint military planning, according to the …
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