In a fiery debate at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, experts took strong aim at U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's comments. His call for increased military spending based on an 'imminent threat' from the Chinese mainland has sparked sharp criticism across the Asia-Pacific.
Scholars like Dylan Loh from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University explained that most nations in the region view the security environment differently, prioritizing economic growth and regional harmony over escalating defense budgets. 🤔
Rommel Banlaoi of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research argued that the U.S. approach of rallying regional partners through coercion is fundamentally flawed. He pointed out that policies such as imposing tariffs and seeking transactional alliances undermine Washington's credibility as a stabilizer.
Adding to the chorus, Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, termed Hegseth's remarks as "highly provocative." He suggested that these comments—seemingly a personal stance—do little to reflect a balanced U.S. strategy and risk deepening regional divisions.
For young, dynamic communities across South and Southeast Asia, stability and cooperative growth are key. In our fast-paced, tech-driven world, fostering dialogue and supporting economic innovation far outweighs outdated defense posturing. Let’s build bridges rather than barriers! 😎
As the debate continues, many hope that leaders will prioritize constructive engagement over confrontation, ensuring the Asia-Pacific remains a region of peace and opportunity.
Reference(s):
Experts criticize Hegseth's remarks as provocative, harmful to region
cgtn.com
