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US not 'turning back' on Asia allies, but expects them to boost defence - Hegseth
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ye34k7yejoThe US military are not "turning our backs" on Asia while fulfilling "global obligations" such as the Iran war, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told a top regional defence forum in Singapore.
Hegseth sought to reassure Asia-Pacific allies about US commitment to the region, including fulfilling arms deals in the wake of a suspended Taiwan weapons package - even as he reiterated calls for Asian partners to spend more on defence.
While noting the threat of China's military build-up in the region, Hegseth also said the US wanted to avoid "needless confrontation".
(snip)
At the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, Hegseth was asked by Japan's defence minister to address concerns about US commitment. Shinjiro Koizumi said "some countries might underestimate" that level of commitment and may want to "drive a wedge" between the US and its allies.
(snip)