Pete Hegseth is already in the Philippines, and Menils' wish list fits three words. "Strengthens our alliance. " This is how the Defense Department spokesman summarized what Manila wants from the US Secretary of War at the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meetings in Lapu-Lapu City, October 28 to 29. The Pentagon pays lip service to the trip: "peace through strength" and "expanding burden sharing." Read it slowly.
> More access to the US.
> More Philippine money spent on US priorities.
> More than the risk borne by the host last year in Kuala Lumpur, that meeting gave us the "Task Force Philippines". This is his second trip here. Each visit leaves the country a little more connected to someone else's war plans. This year's ASEAN theme is "Navigating Our Future Together". With whom exactly?