During remarks at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers' Meeting in the Cebu province of the Philippines today, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth outlined a defense cooperation agenda focused on practical collaboration and regional stability.
Hegseth framed the agenda as one that is built on strength and on the backs of strong, self-reliant nations capable of defending their own sovereignty while contributing to a balance of power that benefits all parties involved.
"The approach we're taking, we describe as strong, quiet and clear. Strong enough to deter coercion and aggression, quiet enough to avoid needless escalation or public theatrics to let our actions speak for themselves [and] clear enough that our friends, our partners and potential adversaries understand precisely where the United States stands, and that we will defend our interests and the interests of our allies and partners," Hegseth explained.
He noted that the strategy is, by definition, peace through strength.
The secretary went on to say that this approach reflects the values of pragmatism, openness to dialogue, respect for counterparts, and proud nationalism that the association has long demonstrated.
He added that, while all nations participating in such a cooperative agenda might not always agree on everything — and nor do they need to — an agreement on the outlined fundamentals is enough to support practical cooperation where shared interests are overlapping and clear.
Furthermore, such a model of cooperation is one that the War Department will continue to pursue with its Southeast Asia partners. Hegseth said this includes strengthening maritime domain awareness, improving interoperability and advancing cooperation between U.S. and partner nation navies.
"These are not symbolic things; they are concrete demonstrations of what serious partners do. Serious partners train together, learn together, plan together and build the confidence and competence necessary to prevent conflict," he said.
As an example of such practical cooperation in action, Hegseth pointed to the sustained ceasefire along the border of Thailand and Cambodia, which halted a series of severe armed clashes between the two countries that began in 2025 over colonial-era border ambiguities and overlapping maritime energy claims, among other points of contention.
"ASEAN's leadership here demonstrates what the institution can achieve when it acts with purpose and resolve. … The United States was glad to do its part and will continue to do its part on this ASEAN-led effort," Hegseth said.
Looking toward the future and noting that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Southeast Asia association, Hegseth said the U.S. aims to be more ambitious in securing a defense cooperation framework, which will be critically important in the years ahead.
"The United States is a proud Pacific nation, and — alongside our ASEAN partners — we are resolved to deliver peace through strength, [and] peace, prosperity and sovereignty for all member nations, based on mutual respect and strength," he concluded.
Founded in 1967, ASEAN is a 11-member regional organization established to promote economic growth, social progress, cultural development, and geopolitical stability among its member states in Southeast Asia.
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