Reuters reported that US Secretary of War Pete Guest is expected to face questions about Washington's compliance with its commitments in the Indo-Pacific region during a meeting with his Southeast Asian counterparts in the Philippines on Wednesday, November 6. According to Reuters, the Iran war has put pressure on American military preparedness and at the same time tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea have increased. Analysts said Southeast Asian nations may use the meeting with Hogst to clarify America's goals in the Iran war and its impact on Washington's commitments in the region. The Iran war also disrupted maritime transport and the oil market and exposed the vulnerability of Southeast Asian countries to import shocks. Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, said countries in the region want assurances of continued US commitment. The guest is also scheduled to meet with the defense ministers of Japan, Australia and the Philippines. According to analysts, the summit's final statement is expected to strike a cautious tone on contentious issues, including the South China Sea.

Reuters reported that US Secretary of War Pete Guest is expected to face questions about Washington's compliance with its commitments in the Indo-Pacific region during a meeting with his Southeast Asian counterparts in the Philippines on Wednesday, November 6. According to Reuters, the Iran war has put pressure on American military preparedness and at the same time tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea have increased. Analysts said Southeast Asian nations may use the meeting with Hogst to clarify America's goals in the Iran war and its impact on Washington's commitments in the region. The Iran war also disrupted maritime transport and the oil market and exposed the vulnerability of Southeast Asian countries to import shocks. Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, said countries in the region want assurances of continued US commitment. The guest is also scheduled to meet with the defense ministers of Japan, Australia and the Philippines. According to analysts, the summit's final statement is expected to strike a cautious tone on contentious issues, including the South China Sea.