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Pentagon official urges Asia allies to invest more in defense
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- A Pentagon official, Elbridge Colby, urged Asian allies to increase their defense investments to deter regional aggression while reaffirming the U.S. commitment to the region as a partner, not a protectorate.
- Colby emphasized that the U.S. is not disengaging from Asia despite its focus on the Middle East, stating that America will maintain a strong presence to ensure a favorable balance of power.
- He avoided direct criticism of China’s actions in the South China Sea but reiterated U.S. obligations to defend the Philippines under their mutual treaty if attacked.
- The official highlighted the importance of a collective defense network of modernized, sovereign nations sharing responsibility for regional security alongside the U.S.
- Colby’s remarks came amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea involving China and several Southeast Asian countries, underscoring the strategic significance of the Western Pacific.
