An important, clear-eyed strategic assessment from our close ally Japan.
“The international community is now facing its greatest trial since the end of World War II. The existing order of world peace is being seriously challenged, and Japan finds itself in the most severe and complex security environment of the post-war era.” 1/ mod.go.jp/en/publ/w_pape…
We at DOD stand ready to work closely with Tokyo to adjust to this new era and to follow President Trump’s guidance to make our alliances stronger, more equitable, and thus sustainable.
“The international community is facing its greatest trial since World War II and entering a new era of crisis. The global balance of power is shifting dramatically and competition among states continues.” 2/
“Countries are striving to develop innovative technologies that can become so-called game changers. The traditional military structure is undergoing fundamental changes, as are warfare tactics and strategies.” 3/
“Increasingly Severe Security Situation in the Indo-Pacific Region: Such global security environment conditions and challenges are particularly prominent in the Indo-Pacific region, where Japan is located, and are likely to intensify still further in future.”
4/
“In addition to Japan’s own efforts, cooperation and collaboration with our ally and like-minded countries is critical. The Alliance with the United States is a key pillar of our national security policy and the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.” 5/5
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“President Trump’s decade-long calls for NATO allies to contribute more to shared security have recently been answered with a historic commitment among allies to spend a once-unthinkable 5% of GDP on defense − a number reflecting both fairness and strategic wisdom.” 2/
“Even before he was first elected in 2016, President Trump rightly lamented how the United States bore a disproportionate amount of responsibility for security in Europe.” 3/
“President Trump’s decade-long calls for NATO allies to contribute more to shared security have recently been answered with a historic commitment among allies to spend a once-unthinkable 5% of GDP on defense − a number reflecting both fairness and strategic wisdom.” 2/
“Even before he was first elected in 2016, President Trump rightly lamented how the United States bore a disproportionate amount of responsibility for security in Europe.” 3/
I am proud to share @realDonaldTrump’s nomination of three outstanding candidates to join @SecDef’s team at the @DeptofDefense: Alex Velez-Green, John Noh, and Austin Dahmer. They are among our nation’s most thoughtful and realistic defense thinkers and leaders. They are also fully committed to President Trump’s vision of America First and Peace Through Strength – and they have already delivered superb results to advance it. 1/
Alex Velez-Green is @realDonaldTrump’s nominee for Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. As Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy – and previously, in his role Performing the Duties of USD(P) – he has led efforts to strengthen U.S. homeland defenses, deter China, and increase allied burden-sharing. If confirmed, he will play an even more vital role as we work to advance @SecDef’s policy priorities and realize President Trump’s vision for America First and Peace Through Strength. 2/
John Noh is @realDonaldTrump’s nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. John’s service on the House Select Committee on China and as an Army officer have prepared him very well for this role. With his depth of expertise, clear-eyed vision for the region, and demonstrated ability to drive results alongside our allies and partners, John has already been doing superb work on the Asia Policy team. If confirmed, he will play an essential part as DOD works to achieve the President's Peace through Strength in Asia, the priority theater. 3/
.@SecDef’s Shangri-La Dialogue speech highlighted the Department of Defense’s commonsense approach in the Indo-Pacific to achieve President Trump’s Peace Through Strength and America First agenda. 1/
The United States is an Indo-Pacific nation. The prosperity and security of the American people are vitally linked with those of our allies and partners in the region. That is why the DoD is so focused on reestablishing deterrence in our priority theater. 2/
China’s actions undermine peace and stability in the region. The evidence for this is their growing willingness to use force to achieve their objectives--as seen in the South China Sea and around Taiwan while also undertaking a massive and unprecedented military buildup. 3/
Don’t take it from us: “Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro…went on to lambast China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, saying a lack of trust in Beijing was ‘the biggest stumbling block’ to resolving the dispute.’” 1/4
“‘To envision a China-led international order, we only need to look at how they treat their much smaller neighbors in the South China Sea, which runs counter to the ‘peaceful rise’ they initially promised,’ Teodoro said.” 2/4
“Teodoro said China’s military was ‘grabbing territory in the South China Sea’ and expanding its presence to the Arctic and off Australia. ‘For us, our biggest threat is China,’ he said. ‘And on that, we converge not only with the United States but with other countries.’” 3/4
🚨 Secretary Hegseth just delivered a major speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue. He clearly outlined what President Trump's common sense, Peace Through Strength approach means for U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific.
Here are some key quotes: 🧵(1/23)
“For a generation, the United States ignored this region. We became distracted by open-ended wars, regime change, and nation building…These costly diversions lacked clearly defined goals and were not tied to vital and core American interests. President Trump is changing that.” (2/23)
“We are done with that approach. We are focused on delivering for the American people, on safeguarding their security, on protecting their economic interests, and on using common sense to preserve peace in the Indo-Pacific.” (3/23)