Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Hegseth to attend Southeast Asian defence meeting in the Philippines
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is travelling to the Philippines for a regional defence meeting this week.
The ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus brings together officials from the 11 ASEAN countries and eight dialogue partners, including the United States, India, Japan and South Korea.
Australia, New Zealand, Russia and China are also expected to send representatives.
Washington wants to reinforce its security ties as the war involving Iran and US President Donald Trump’s criticism of allies have prompted regional countries to reassess their relationships.
Some partners worry that the conflict could divert US attention from the Indo-Pacific, especially after Washington moved some military assets from South Korea and Japan to the Middle East.
South China Sea disputes will be a central concern, with several countries holding overlapping claims and tensions recently rising between China and the Philippines.
The Philippines is expected to push for a code of conduct with China to guide how maritime disputes and conflicts are handled.
A meeting between Hegseth and China’s defence minister is possible but unconfirmed, and could support efforts to improve military crisis communications.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will attend a Southeast Asian defence meeting in the Philippines this week.
The ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus brings together defence officials from ASEAN’s 11 members and eight dialogue partners.
The talks are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, alongside a separate meeting for ASEAN members.
Washington is seeking to strengthen regional security ties amid concerns that the Iran war could divert US attention from the Indo-Pacific.
Regional security issues include Myanmar’s civil war and maritime disputes involving China and Southeast Asian countries.
- Who
- US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and defence officials from ASEAN and its dialogue partners.
- What
- Hegseth will attend the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus to meet regional counterparts and strengthen ties.
- When
- This week; the talks are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
- Where
- The Philippines.
- Why
- Washington is seeking to solidify security ties in the region. The visit comes amid concerns that the Iran war could divert US attention from the Indo-Pacific.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Pentagon announced that Hegseth would travel to the Philippines this week.
The ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus is scheduled to take place in the Philippines.
- US defence secretary
- Pete Hegseth
- Meeting
- ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus
- Location
- Philippines
- Schedule
- Wednesday to Thursday
- Participants
- ASEAN’s 11 members and eight dialogue partners
3 sources
What people are saying
The South China Sea dispute is going to be front and centre because the Philippines is the chair of this year’s summit
I would not be surprised if Dong meets with Secretary Hegseth, especially since China has repeatedly said that it attaches importance to strengthening crisis communications and preventing crises between the US and Chinese militaries