US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Proposes New US-ASEAN Defense Framework
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth proposed an ambitious new US-ASEAN defense framework during a meeting in Cebu, Philippines, telling regional defense chiefs that the initiative will help manage critically important years ahead.
Defense Cooperation Proposal in Cebu
Hegseth met with defense officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Cebu, where he praised the region for its pragmatism and proud nationalism. While acknowledging that the nations will not agree on every issue, he stressed the necessity of cooperating where shared interests overlap. The proposed framework aims to guide practical defense cooperation across the region over the coming years as Singapore prepares to assume the chairmanship of the ASEAN Defense Ministers‘ Meeting Plus. The grouping includes the bloc’s 11 member states alongside representatives from the United States, Japan, China, Australia, and other nations.
The United States has actively sought to expand regional defense partnerships to maintain what it terms a free and open Indo-Pacific. This diplomatic push coincides with heightened Chinese naval and coast guard activity in contested areas of the South China Sea. Manila reported that Beijing’s maritime presence in disputed waterways nearly doubled in September. Meanwhile, Southeast Asian economies continue dealing with broader geopolitical fallout, including shipping and oil market disruptions stemming from the war in Iran that began on February 28, which pushed energy security to the forefront of regional agendas.
Hegseth Urges Stronger Maritime Awareness and Naval Activities
Beyond broad cooperation frameworks, Hegseth urged officials to strengthen maritime domain awareness and deepen joint naval activities. Calling these efforts concrete demonstrations of partnership, he stated that serious partners must train, learn, plan, and build the competence required to prevent conflict. On the sidelines of the Cebu summit, Japanese Defense Chief Shinjiro Koizumi met with Hegseth to discuss the implementation of an effective denial defense within the First Island Chain, which spans the island groups separating China from the open Pacific. The two allies also agreed to maintain close coordination regarding munitions production.
Regional Participants Seek Reassurance on US Commitments
Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, stated that most regional participants seek reassurance regarding America’s long-term commitments despite political turmoil in Washington and strains on military readiness caused by the war in Iran.
