Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has signaled a significant shift in U.S. defense policy, emphasizing a demand for greater burden-sharing among international partners. Speaking at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth praised nations such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and Indonesia for increasing their military readiness and defense contributions. He framed these countries as ‘model allies’ that will receive priority for arms sales, intelligence sharing, and industrial collaboration.

Central to this new approach is a firm stance against Chinese influence in the region. Hegseth asserted that the United States is committed to maintaining a balance of power that prevents any single state from imposing hegemony over U.S. partners. While noting that the current relationship with China is stable, he warned that the U.S. will not tolerate disruptions to the regional status quo and expressed concern over China’s ongoing military expansion.

In a pointed critique of European partners, Hegseth suggested that many nations in that region have allowed their defense capabilities to atrophy, relying too heavily on American military power. He reiterated that the U.S. expects allies to commit 3.5% of their GDP to defense spending, warning that those who fail to contribute their fair share will face a fundamental change in their security relationship with Washington. Hegseth clarified that while the ‘America First’ policy remains a priority, it does not equate to isolationism, but rather a demand for stronger, more capable sovereign partners.

The strategy has drawn criticism from some U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Tammy Duckworth, who expressed concern that the administration’s rhetoric may signal a diminished focus on the Indo-Pacific. Duckworth argued that the shift toward a ‘quiet’ approach to diplomacy could be interpreted as a lack of commitment to the region, potentially undermining long-standing security guarantees.