Pete Hegseth stumbles on ASEAN questions at Senate hearing
- Pete Hegseth struggled to answer questions about ASEAN during his Senate confirmation hearing.
- ASEAN comprises ten member countries and focuses on regional economic cooperation.
- The inability to discuss ASEAN raises concerns over Hegseth's qualifications for the defense secretary role.
In a Senate confirmation hearing held months ago, Pete Hegseth, who was nominated to be the U.S. Secretary of Defense, faced tough questioning from Senator Tammy Duckworth. Duckworth pressed him to demonstrate his knowledge regarding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional group made up of ten countries including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, with East Timor expected to join soon. The senator questioned him on the number of member countries and whether he could name any member. Hegseth admitted he did not know how many nations were in ASEAN, claiming knowledge of U.S. allies in South Korea and Japan within the context of the AUKUS pact, which includes Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. However, Duckworth pointed out that these countries are not ASEAN members and criticized him for his lack of preparation. This incident raises concerns about Hegseth’s readiness for the role and his grasp of critical international issues, particularly as ASEAN plays a vital role in regional stability and U.S. strategic interests in Asia. The U.S. has treaty partnerships with some ASEAN nations and has worked to strengthen ties to counteract the growing influence of China in the region. Additionally, ASEAN is important in facilitating discussions around pressing geopolitical issues and economic collaboration, which include a significant trade agreement known as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) involving multiple nations including China and Australia. The organization's annual meetings, which include top-level discussions with the U.S. defense secretary and the U.S. president, underscore its strategic relevance for U.S. foreign policy. The confirmation hearing and Hegseth's gaffe have prompted discussions about the current administration's focus on the Indo-Pacific strategy, particularly in light of President Biden's efforts to elevate relations with ASEAN countries and the balancing act required to address both cooperation and tensions in the region, notably with China.