The burning questions Hegseth left unanswered on the China challenge
The US defence secretary’s speech has helped to address, but will not silence, lingering questions about the Trump administration’s commitment to Asia.
There can be no balance of power in Asia without the United States. This was one message from Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday.
This basic fact – that Asia’s security depends on US commitment and focus – is what made US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s speech at the same meeting a hotly anticipated and closely scrutinised event.
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Susannah Patton is director, Southeast Asia Program and project lead, Asia Power Index at the Lowy Institute.
