In a heated Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, was unable to name a single country from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, sparking questions about his readiness to navigate one of the globe’s most strategically significant regions.
The exchange, led by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, has intensified scrutiny of Hegseth’s depth of knowledge on international alliances and the broader security challenges the United States faces in the Indo-Pacific.
Duckworth, herself a veteran who served in the U.S. Army, directly challenged Hegseth’s understanding of ASEAN’s role in regional security. “Could you name one member of ASEAN,” she asked, “describe what type of agreement the U.S. had with the countries, and tell us how many nations are in the bloc?”
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Hegseth struggled to respond, referencing America’s allies in South Korea and Japan, then pivoting to the AUKUS agreement—a defense pact involving Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—but provided no ASEAN member names or numbers.
“None of those three countries are in ASEAN,” Duckworth pointed out. “I suggest you do a little homework.”
Founded in 1967, ASEAN currently comprises 10 members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. An 11th nation, East Timor, is poised to join soon. Spanning a collective population of over 650 million people, the bloc’s combined GDP surpasses $3 trillion.
Over the decades, ASEAN has focused on fostering economic growth, regional stability, and mutual cooperation. It also serves as a critical arena for major powers like the U.S. and China to engage in diplomatic and security dialogues, given its members’ geographic location along some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
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During the hearing, Hegseth identified the Indo-Pacific as a theater of growing concern, particularly as China expands its economic influence and strengthens its military posture in disputed waters. Multiple ASEAN members—Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei—maintain territorial disputes with Beijing over the South China Sea, while Indonesia has expressed concern about Chinese incursions into its exclusive economic zone.
The United States sees ASEAN as a pivotal partner in maintaining what President Joe Biden has termed “a free and open region that is connected, prosperous, secure and resilient.” In a statement released on January 15, 2025, a U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to working closely with ASEAN partners, citing the region’s importance for global trade and strategic security.
Though Hegseth could not recall details of America’s specific alliances in the region, the U.S. in fact maintains formal defense treaties with ASEAN members Thailand and the Philippines. Beyond these longstanding arrangements, Washington has stepped up efforts in recent years to enhance military cooperation, conduct joint exercises, and facilitate diplomatic ties with other ASEAN members. The Biden administration elevated the U.S. relationship with ASEAN to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in 2022—a designation primarily aimed at solidifying political, economic, and defense coordination.
ASEAN convenes multiple high-level meetings each year, including defense and foreign minister gatherings, culminating in an annual summit. These events have historically drawn top American officials: the U.S. defense secretary typically attends defense-focused sessions, while the sitting president often participates in the summit itself. Both Biden and Trump have traveled to ASEAN gatherings, underscoring the bloc’s diplomatic significance.
ASEAN’s influence goes beyond U.S. relations. With formal ties to China, Russia, India, Australia, the European Union, Britain, Japan, and South Korea, ASEAN functions as a vital platform for dialogue on pressing geopolitical issues, from maritime security to trade agreements.
Hegseth’s stumbling response may hinder his path toward confirmation, given bipartisan concerns that he lacks the necessary expertise to handle sensitive matters in the Indo-Pacific. He began his career as a U.S. Army officer, serving multiple tours abroad before transitioning into a role as a high-profile conservative commentator.
Known for his outspoken “America First” views and close alignment with Trump’s nationalist approach, he gained traction within the administration as a frequent adviser on military and veterans’ issues. His unyielding support for Trump’s foreign policy made him an attractive pick for defense secretary, culminating in the president-elect’s decision to nominate him despite concerns over Hegsworth’s international expertise.
Duckworth’s closing remarks captured the lingering worries: “The person leading our defense engagements in this critical region must be well-versed in the details of our alliances and partnerships. We owe it to American servicemembers and our allies to put our best foot forward.”
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