US swaps ideology for ‘flexible realism’ and hard deterrence in Southeast Asia

A Pentagon official, Elbridge Colby, urged Asian allies to increase their defense investments to deter regional aggression during a forum in the Philippines. Colby reassured allies that the U.S. remains committed to Asia, emphasizing a partnership approach with "partners, not protectorates." He stressed that the U.S. is "digging in" to ensure a favorable balance of power in the region, which it considers of paramount importance. Colby highlighted the need for a network of capable, sovereign nations to uphold regional defense, not solely relying on American strength. He praised the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations for their efforts in modernizing their forces and securing their territories.

A senior Pentagon official, Elbridge Colby, stated on Monday in Manila that the United States is not disengaging from Asia but is instead "digging in" to maintain a favorable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. Colby, the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, aimed to address concerns about U.S. reliability by emphasizing America's continued interest in the region. He called for greater burden-sharing from partner nations, advocating for "partnership, not dependency" in defense responsibilities.