US Defence Chief Hegseth Calls on PM Wong Ahead of Shangri-La Dialogue, Reaffirms Ties with Singapore
He will meet regional leaders and discuss maritime security, defence spending and a potential $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, officials said.
- US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Singapore on Friday to address the Shangri-La Dialogue, where he will outline Washington's Indo-Pacific strategy amid intensifying competition with China.
- Beijing's Defence Minister Dong Jun is skipping the three-day summit for the second year running, which analysts view as a sign of China's rising power amid Taiwan tensions.
- Hegseth will meet counterparts from Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand during the trip while facing questions over a potential $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan.
- On Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said "kinetic actions and economic pressure" brought Tehran to nuclear negotiations, stressing President Donald Trump will not make a "bad deal" for Americans.
- Hegseth's speech is expected to be "quite strong against China, but mainly for internal consumption," said Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, as the forum convenes around 45 nations.
21 Articles
21 Articles
USNI News Western Pacific Pulse: May 29, 2026
The following is a summary of major ship movements and exercises in the Western Pacific over the last week. In Singapore The International Institute of Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue began Friday and runs through Sunday at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. The annual summit gathers defense ministers, senior defense officials and military officers from around the world. Secretary of the Defense Department Pete Hegseth is leading the U.S.…
US, Japan, Taiwan Push Deterrence as Shangri-La Defense Forum Opens
Asia’s top annual defense forum opens in Singapore this weekend, with the United States, Japan, and Taiwan each placing deterrence at the center of their Indo-Pacific security posture. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is scheduled to address the Shangri-La Dialogue on the morning of May 30 in a session titled “United States’ Strategy for Peace in the Indo-Pacific.” Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is scheduled to speak on Sunday on “Manag…
Pete Hegseth does push ups with military personnel at Singapore dock
Pete Hegseth joined military personnel for an early morning training session on Friday (29 May). In a video shared online, the defense secretary took part in strength training aboard the USS Boxer in Singapore before telling the troops to “prepare and be ready” for the war in the Middle East “if and when called upon”. Recalling President Trump’s words from Wednesday's cabinet meeting, “Iran can either do it the right way with a deal across the t…
Hegseth Lands in Singapore for Talks Ahead of Asia Defense Forum
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived early Friday in Singapore, where he will meet with regional leaders and security counterparts ahead of a closely watched address at a major Asian security forum Saturday.
Analysis: On Saturday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will present the US plan for the Pacific. This comes as Trump's views on vital arms sales to Taiwan have sown fear and doubt.
US Secretary of Defence Hegseth arrives in Singapore for Asia summit
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has arrived in Singapore for a weekend of meetings at the Shangri-La Dialogue. Asia’s top defense summit, it draws leaders, diplomats and security officials from around the world.
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