Hegseth Reassures Southeast Asia of US Commitment, Pledges Stronger Defense Ties - BusinessWorld Online
Hegseth said the framework would guide cooperation for years and deepen naval ties as China increases pressure in the region.
- On Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth proposed an "ambitious" U.S.-ASEAN defense framework during meetings in Cebu, Philippines, aimed at guiding security cooperation over the "critically important next several years."
- Amid China's increasing regional presence, Washington has sought to boost regional defense partnerships to uphold a "free and open Indo-Pacific," particularly as the Philippines faces ongoing disputes with Beijing over South China Sea territories.
- Hegseth outlined a "strong, quiet and clear" approach, praising the region's "pragmatism" and "proud nationalism" while calling for strengthened "maritime domain awareness" and naval interoperability among partners.
- Singapore's upcoming chairmanship of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus provides the venue for the United States to begin the framework project, enabling the bloc to tackle security workstreams including maritime security and counter-terrorism.
- Broad regional impacts including the Iran war complicate the outlook; analysts like Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, anticipate tactical cooperation but caution against strategic alignment on thorny South China Sea issues.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Pete Hegseth was addressing joint meeting of ASEAN defense chiefs in Cebu City, the Philippines, current chair of 11-member bloc
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hexeth is likely to be questioned about U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region at the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting in Cebu, Philippines today.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth proposed a new "ambitious" defence framework to the ASEAN states on Wednesday. He argued that such a partnership could help them through the years of...
US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth proposed on Wednesday the creation of a new "ambitious" defence framework with ASEAN, telling the block leaders that this partnership could help them through years of "critical importance" in the future, reports AFP and Agerpres.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
