U.S. aims to reassure Asian allies at major security summit

Reuters
Reuters

At Asia's top security summit, the U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth aims to restore confidence among allies amid rising regional competition with China.

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to make his debut at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where he will try to convince Asian allies that Washington is a more reliable partner than Beijing. His speech, expected on Saturday, will lay out the Trump administration’s vision for Indo-Pacific defence policy. Hegseth’s approach has stirred debate, both for his focus on domestic military culture wars and his controversial foreign policy rhetoric.

His appearance comes as China’s defence minister is expected to skip the event, giving Hegseth a key opportunity to shape the regional narrative. Despite skepticism from some allies and lawmakers, the U.S. message at the forum will center on “peace through strength” and partnership, as tensions in the Indo-Pacific continue to grow.

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