A great privilege to serve under @SecDef Austin and alongside the incredible team @DeptofDefense Huge challenges and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific. Looking forward to working closely with interagency colleagues, friends on the Hill, and allies and partners across the region.

I applaud Minister Kihara & Minister Shin on their new agreements to strengthen defense ties between Japan & the ROK. Stronger bilateral cooperation between each of our countries advances trilateral cooperation among all of our countries. defense.gov/News/Releases/…

Congratulations to Admiral Aquilino on his historic tenure as Commander of @INDOPACOM His years of service have been instrumental to strengthening U.S. alliances and partnerships across the Indo-Pacific. Proud to call him a friend and colleague.

Secretary Austin’s press conference today with counterparts from Australia, Japan, and the Philippines was the first of its kind — ever. Our four countries are working together like never before in support of our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. 🇺🇸🇦🇺🇯🇵🇵🇭🌏

Today’s meeting at the State Department with @SecDef Austin, @SecBlinken, @JakeSullivan46, and their three counterparts from the Philippines was the first of its kind for our two countries – and truly historic.

I spoke with Minister Collins from New Zealand today about how our two countries are delivering on a shared commitment to peace, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. defense.gov/News/Releases/…

I had the honor of welcoming President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia to the Pentagon today. The defense and security ties between our two countries continue to grow even stronger. defense.gov/News/Releases/…

Extending the economic assistance at the heart of the Compacts of Free Association was one of the most important things Congress could do this year to advance U.S. priorities in the Indo-Pacific region. A strong bipartisan majority on Capitol Hill just got it done.

Securing funding for the Compacts of Free Association is one of the most important things the Administration can do this year to advance our Indo-Pacific Strategy. Here’s why:

Great to talk with @EvansRyan202 from @WarOnTheRocks about how the @DeptofDefense is meeting our pacing challenge and advancing a shared regional vision for peace, stability, and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. warontherocks.com/2024/02/securi…

Great to host Singapore's Minister for Defence @Ng_Eng_Hen at the Pentagon today, where we discussed efforts to strengthen defense and security cooperation between the United States and Singapore.

I spoke today with my counterparts from the ROK & Japan. We strongly condemned the DPRK's attempted space launch and reaffirmed the critical role of our trilateral relationship. The U.S. extended deterrence commitment to Japan & the ROK remains ironclad. defense.gov/News/Releases/…

This week, dangerous behavior by a PLA destroyer resulted in the injury of personnel supporting a lawfully operating @Australian_Navy vessel — the latest example in a pattern of coercive and risky PLA operational behavior.

In just 43 days, Secretary Austin has met face-to-face with his counterparts from Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand — all five U.S. treaty allies in the Indo-Pacific. This is what enduring commitment to the region looks like.

Minister @Prabowo and I just signed a historic Defense Cooperation Arrangement on the margins of the ADMM-Plus here in Jakarta. The deepening defense relationship between the United States and Indonesia forms a core part of our newly upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Secretary Austin kicked off his trip to the Indo-Pacific in India. Watch as DASD Lindsey Ford explains the historic ways Washington and New Delhi are strengthening peace, security, and prosperity across the region:

NEWS: @SecDef Austin Will Underscore U.S. Partnerships, Progress on Indo-Pacific Trip defense.gov/News/News-Stor…

Next week, Secretary Austin will travel again to the Indo-Pacific region at a time when we’re doing more than ever with allies and partners to advance a shared regional vision for peace, stability, and prosperity. defense.gov/News/Advisorie…

The PLA’s unsafe intercept of a lawfully operating U.S. B-52 aircraft this week is the latest example of a centralized, concerted campaign by the PLA to engage in coercive and risky operational behavior in international airspace.

This weekend, the PRC engaged in further dangerous operational behavior near Second Thomas Shoal — this time causing collisions with lawfully operating Philippine vessels. We continue to stand with the Philippines, and our commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Alliance is ironclad.

The Pentagon released previously nonpublic videos and photos of more than a dozen maneuvers by Chinese fighter jets harassing unarmed U.S. reconnaissance planes patrolling lawfully in international airspace. wapo.st/46SLY9j