Duckworth Warns US Indo-Pacific Focus Risks Eroding as Hegseth Pushes Burden-Sharing at 1 Summit
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · May 30
Duckworth Warns US Indo-Pacific Focus Risks Eroding as Hegseth Pushes Burden-Sharing at 1 Summit
3 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · May 30
Summary
Tammy Duckworth said the Trump administration risks shortchanging the Indo-Pacific by being drawn into wars elsewhere, warning US commitment to the region could weaken.
At the Shangri-La Dialogue, Pete Hegseth countered that the US remains committed to keeping the Pacific free of any dominant hegemony.
Hegseth said a core defense strategy is deeper burden-sharing, with allies and partners expected to contribute more to collective defense while Washington works more quietly.
The exchange exposed a split over whether shifting more responsibility to partners strengthens deterrence in Asia or signals a US distraction at a tense regional security forum.