Pentagon chief Hegseth to visit Philippines to meet US allies at Asean events

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit the Philippines to meet regional allies during ASEAN events. The trip comes as Washington seeks to strengthen Indo-Pacific security ties ahead of an anticipated Trump-Xi meeting, amid criticism of Hegseth's handling of the war against Iran.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will travel to the Philippines this week to meet regional allies, the Pentagon announced on Sunday. The visit comes amid a push by Washington to tighten security ties in the Indo-Pacific ahead of an expected meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in southern China. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has faced criticism from Democrats and some Republicans over his handling of the war against Iran, as well as concerns that the conflict could divert...