Archive · 10 Aug 2026
US not disengaging from Asia, seeks 'partners, not protectorates'
A very important military leader from the United States, Mr. Colby, traveled to the Philippines.
He wanted to talk to America's friends in Asia.
Mr. Colby told them that America is not leaving Asia.
In fact, he said America is 'digging in' to keep the region safe and fair.
He asked America's friends to help take care of their own safety too.
Mr. Colby said America wants 'partners, not protectorates.'
That means America wants friends who work together, not countries that just depend on America.
Some people worry that asking friends to do more means America is stepping back, but he said that is not true.
When friends are strong, everyone is safer.
From the Philippines, Mr. Colby will also visit Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia.
US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby said America is not disengaging from Asia and is 'digging in' to ensure a favorable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.
Colby made the remarks in Manila, the first stop on a Southeast Asian trip that will also take him to Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia.
He called for a 'posture of deterrence by denial along the First Island Chain,' the area stretching from Japan down to Taiwan, the Philippines and Borneo.
Colby urged allies to invest more in their own defense, saying the US wants 'partners, not protectorates.'
He said asking allies to step up is not signaling abandonment, adding that 'when our partners are strong, deterrence is strong.'
- Who
- Elbridge Colby, US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, speaking in the Philippines
- What
- Declared that the US is not disengaging from Asia but 'digging in,' while urging allies to invest more in their own defense and become 'partners, not protectorates'
- When
- Monday, August 10
- Where
- Manila, Philippines, the first stop of a trip also covering Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia
- Why
- To counter concerns about Washington's reliability and to maintain a favorable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific through greater burden-sharing
Allies' concerns
Washington's assurances
US reliability in Asia
Allies' concerns
Some partners worry about Washington's reliability and may view US calls for burden-sharing as a sign it is pulling back from the region.
Washington's assurances
The US insists it is not disengaging, is 'digging in' to Asia, and that asking allies to step up is not signaling abandonment.
Defense burden-sharing
Allies' concerns
Allies asked to invest more in their own security could interpret the demand as the US shifting responsibility away from itself and creating dependency.
Washington's assurances
Washington says it wants 'partners, not protectorates' and that stronger partners make deterrence stronger for everyone.
- Speaker
- Elbridge Colby, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy
- Location
- Manila, Philippines
- Date
- August 10
- Trip stops
- Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia
- Key message
- 'We are looking for partners, not protectorates.'
- Stated strategy
- Posture of deterrence by denial along the First Island Chain
- First Island Chain
- Area stretching from Japan down to Taiwan, the Philippines and Borneo
- Philippines role
- America's oldest treaty ally in Asia