Pentagon official asks Asian allies to invest more in defence to deter aggression

Pentagon undersecretary Elbridge Colby urged Asian allies to increase their defense spending to deter aggression in the region, emphasizing that the United States remains committed to their partnership. Colby made these remarks during a forum in the Philippines, his initial stop in Southeast Asia, where he would also visit Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia.

He reassured the audience, comprising diplomats, generals, business executives, and journalists, that America is not disengaging from Asia, despite its current focus on the Iran War and the Middle East. "We are not leaving; in fact, we are digging in, to ensure a favorable balance of power where it matters most," Colby stated. The Pentagon official steered clear of accusing China of aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, a region of longstanding territorial disputes involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

Instead, Colby reiterated the U.S. commitment to defending its treaty ally, the Philippines, if its forces, ships, or aircraft are attacked. He echoed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's May speech at the Shangri-La Defense Conference in Singapore, which pledged the U.S. would build and maintain a robust defense in the Western Pacific to make aggression unfeasible, escalation unattractive, and war irrational.

Colby underscored that the U.S. defense strategy cannot rely solely on American capabilities but must be supported by a network of strong, sovereign nations that have modernized their forces and taken responsibility for their own security. This approach aims to transform alliances into genuine partnerships of equals, rather than fostering protectorate relationships.