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/

A very important, compelling piece from @MarcoRubio on the Trump Administration’s approach to NATO and our alliances. 1/

https://twitter.com/SecRubio/status/1942959008379191553

“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/

A very important, compelling piece from @MarcoRubio on the Trump Administration’s approach to NATO and our alliances. 1/

usatoday.com/story/opinion/… “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/

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/

whitehouse.gov/presidential-a…

.@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/

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

🚨 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)

.@POTUS recently delivered two pivotal speeches at West Point’s Commencement on Saturday & at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday, laying out his Admin’s approach to matters of war and peace, and how we honor those who serve and especially those who gave their last full measure of devotion. 1/ His message is what guides us here at DOD every day. Delivering his Commencement speech at West Point, President Trump reminded cadets of their devotion to their country: 2/

VP Vance gave a defining speech Friday at the Naval Academy’s commencement that, coming on the heels of President Trump’s landmark Riyadh speech, clearly lays out the common sense, realistic, America First foreign policy approach we at DOD are striving to implement: 1/ “The most significant part of that [Riyadh] trip is that it signified the end of a decades long approach in foreign policy that I think was a break from the precedent set by our Founding Fathers. 2/

I am profoundly honored to begin work under President @realdonaldtrump & @secdef as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. I am also very grateful to @VP, including for swearing me in last week. 🧵1/

I am deeply and personally committed to advancing their agenda of putting Americans first and peace through strength. Now is a time for realism: prioritizing addressing the greatest threats to the American people, above all defending our homeland and deterring China. 2/