Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stunned U.S. adversaries and allies at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue of defense officials in Singapore. He did it in the most unexpected way: by delivering a thoughtful and sensible speech on the future of American defense policy in Asia.
With the Washington press obsessed with stories about rivalries inside the Pentagon as well as surprising and controversial personnel changes in the military hierarchy, many were unprepared for the professionalism and focus the secretary showed in Singapore. After the speech, Mr. Hegseth stayed on message, delivering coherent and well-informed answers to questioners from large and small powers across the region.