In a private conversation focusing on relationships with Asian allies
in Washington DC last November, a senior official within the White
House expressed his frustration with Thailand and offered the personal
opinion that the security treaty with Bangkok should be ‘ripped up’ unless Bangkok showed more preparedness to support American security and economic initiatives in the region.
Caption
A weapon is mounted on the Lehit ground robotic system, developed by specialists of the International Legion under the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, during a demonstration in Ukraine on December 9, 2025. (Getty Images)