US Defense Secretary Hegseth faces Indo-Pacific questions at ASEAN

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to meet Southeast Asian counterparts in Cebu, Philippines, on Wednesday to address regional commitments.

Analysts and regional officials plan to seek clarity on US alliances, military readiness amid the Iran war, and the strategy for the Indo-Pacific theatre.

The Philippines is balancing security cooperation and maritime tensions with China as it hosts the ASEAN defense meetings.