What Happened
Hegseth Touts Improved Relations With Beijing Amid Security Concerns
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called for a quiet defense plan in Asia, following a visit by former President Trump to China. Hegseth’s comments at the Shangri-La Dialogues in Singapore highlighted the need for improved relations with Beijing, but critics argue that the administration is neglecting the security concerns of Asian allies. The defense secretary’s speech mentioned China nearly two dozen times, emphasizing the country’s potential use of military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. This development was reported by The Washington Post.