U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called for more ambitious cooperation with Southeast Asian nations, including stronger military ties, amid continuing disputes over the South China Sea.
Speaking to defense chiefs from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Cebu, Philippines, on Wednesday, he proposed a new U.S.–ASEAN defense framework and pledged that Washington would defend its interests and those of its allies and partners.
Hegseth said the framework would coordinate joint efforts over the next several years, adding that Washington would continue pursuing practical cooperation with ASEAN partners to improve maritime awareness, strengthen military coordination, and expand cooperation between regional navies….