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Miami Herald
13-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Map Shows Where Hegseth Wants US Military on China's Doorstep
U.S. defense chief Pete Hegseth on Wednesday stressed the role of regional partners in the Pentagon's bid to counter an increasingly assertive China. "The Indo-Pacific is our priority theater, and China is our pacing threat,' he said while making the case for the defense budget requested by the Trump administration for the next fiscal year. Those words echoed his May 31 remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit in Singapore, where he hailed examples of U.S. and allied military cooperation—including those illustrated on the Newsweek map below. China's rapid military buildup and competing territorial claims have strained ties with several neighbors, including U.S.-allied Philippines and Japan, both of which share defense treaties with Washington that could potentially draw American forces into a conflict. Chinese threats and increasing military activities around Taiwan, the island democracy Beijing claims as its territory, have further raised concerns. The tensions have driven some of China's neighbors to deepen military cooperation with the United States and one another. Newsweek contacted the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., for comment by email, but did not receive a response before publication time. In Singapore, Hegseth praised President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy while blaming former President Joe Biden for the U.S.-Mexico border crisis to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Yet, he added, "America First certainly does not mean America alone." Taking aim at what he called China's "destabilizing actions," Hegseth said the U.S. should be prepared for war, although deterring Chinese military aggression by raising its costs was preferable. "We're doing this here in the Indo-Pacific in three distinct ways: first, by improving our forward force posture. Second, by helping allies and partners strengthen their defense capabilities. And third, by rebuilding defense industrial bases," he told attendees. These efforts include deploying to the first island chain assets such as the U.S. Marine Corps' NMESIS high-precision anti-ship missile system to the Luzon Strait—a maritime choke point frequented by Chinese warships. The platform was delivered to the Philippines' far-northern Batanes province about 120 miles south of Taiwan. The deployment "enhanced our interoperability and improved our readiness on cutting-edge platforms, where we need them and when we need them," Hegseth said. The NMESIS missile system adds to the growing U.S. firepower in the Southeast Asian country. Last year, the U.S. deployed a U.S. Army Mid-Range Capability, also known as the Typhon missile launcher, to the Philippines ahead of joint military drills last spring. Philippine officials initially suggested the system would be removed after the drills, but later indicated it could remain indefinitely, irking officials in Beijing over the system's ability to reach China's eastern seaboard with weapons like as the Standard Missile-6 and the Tomahawk cruise missile. A second Typhon system will be deployed to AUKUS partner Australia this summer, where the U.S. Army plans to conduct its first-ever live-fire test of the system on foreign soil, Hegseth said. This year, Washington and Canberra also reached an agreement for Australia to produce 155-millimeter artillery rounds and assemble guided multiple-launch rocket systems, boosting Australia's potential as a force multiplier in the event of a conflict. Washington's efforts to deepen cooperation with Japan, a key Pacific security treaty ally, are also advancing, with upgrades to the joint headquarters of the U.S. Forces Japan. The move will increase deterrence and mark "progress the alliance has made toward improving interoperability and strengthening Japan's capabilities," Hegseth said. The changes, which began in April, will integrate U.S. land, air, sea, space and cyber forces under a single headquarters. There are currently over 50,000 active-duty American military personnel in Japan—the most stationed in any foreign country. The U.S. is also ramping up cooperation with India, one of the four Quad nations and a country that continues to experience friction with China along its disputed border regions in the Himalayas. The Pentagon is working with the South Asian country—an increasingly capable arms manufacturer—to "co-produce equipment needed to deter aggression, and this includes negotiating an agreement to bring our industrial bases ever closer," Hegseth said. Following February talks in Washington between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two leaders announced an "Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance" that will see the two countries co-develop and co-produce sea drones and counter-drone systems. Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Beijing's Tsinghua University, told Newsweek:"What I want to stress is we are on the path to better relations with regional countries—so we don't need the U.S. to teach us." "I think Secretary Hegseth is kind of trying to [come] between China and regional countries. I don't think this will be successful." The House Appropriations Committee advanced the Pentagon's request for a base defense budget of $892.6 billion, lower than the $1 trillion figure previously pledged by Trump. That, along with a $150 billion reconciliation package providing additional funds for priority programs such as shipbuilding and munitions, is expected to pass in the overall congressional vote. Related Articles China Feuds With US Ally Over Fighter Jet InterceptUS Ally Keeps American Missiles at Choke Point Near ChinaUS Aircraft Carrier Holds 'Warfighting' Drills on China's DoorstepChina Closer To Solving Hyperloop Train's Biggest Flaw 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Asahi Shimbun
27-05-2025
- Asahi Shimbun
U.S. Marine in Okinawa accused of fleeing car crash that hurt 4
NAHA—Okinawa prefectural police arrested a U.S. Marine on suspicion of negligent driving and fleeing from a traffic accident that injured four people, including two children, on May 25. Ivan Garcia Martinez, a 20-year-old lance corporal stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps' Camp Hansen, denied the hit-and-run allegation. 'I caused the accident, but I provided first aid for the injured,' sources quoted him as saying. The Naha Police Station said Martinez was driving on National Route 58 in the Aja district in Naha at around 10:30 a.m. on May 25, when his car hit an adjacent vehicle. The impact caused the vehicle to overturn, resulting in minor injuries to four people, including the female driver, 39, from Urasoe in the prefecture, a 10-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. The suspect was not at the scene of the accident when police arrived. But he was later found nearby. A test showed his blood-alcohol level was about twice the legal limit, police said. A series of alcohol-related incidents involving U.S. military personnel have recently been reported in Okinawa Prefecture. On May 26, prefectural police arrested a 23-year-old member of the U.S. Marine Corps stationed at Camp Schwab on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Okinawa police on May 25 arrested a U.S. soldier on suspicion of breaking into a residence. On May 23, another U.S. service member was arrested for alleged public indecency.
Kyodo News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Kyodo News
U.S. military, Okinawa hold 1st safety forum after sex assault cases
KYODO NEWS - May 9, 2025 - 22:44 | All, Japan Representatives of U.S. forces in Japan and Okinawa authorities held their first meeting Friday under a new forum to discuss joint safety measures, following alleged sexual assault cases involving American service members in the southern island prefecture. In closed-door talks at the U.S. Marine Corps' Camp Foster, the U.S. military outlined its existing preventive measures, while both sides agreed to work toward holding a regular joint community patrol, like the one conducted in April in the city of Okinawa, and expanding it to other parts of the prefecture, according to a local government official. The launch of the new dialogue venue, named "Okinawa Community Partnership Forum," was announced in July last year by U.S. Forces Japan, after revelations of alleged sexual assault cases in June sparked renewed safety concerns among locals. Okinawa Prefecture hosts the bulk of U.S. military installations in Japan, and anti-base sentiment runs deep due to aircraft noise, pollution and crimes committed by American service members. The participants of the first meeting of the new forum included representatives from the Okinawa prefectural government, the city of Okinawa, local police, the U.S. forces on Okinawa and the U.S. Consulate General Naha. Officials from Japan's foreign and defense ministries also took part. The meeting is expected to be held about once a year going forward. Specific assault cases were not discussed in the meeting, according to the local government official. "Establishing an avenue for each organization to propose measures to prevent incidents involving U.S. military is of great significance," Masahito Tamari, director general of the Okinawa governor's office, told reporters after the meeting. The U.S. military said in its statement that the talks "highlighted the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration between USFJ and the Okinawa community." "Both sides reaffirmed their dedication to fostering a positive and mutually beneficial relationship based on trust and respect," it added. Related coverage: U.S. Marine in Okinawa indicted over rape, injury U.S. Marines from Okinawa to start moving to Guam barracks in June U.S. Marine suspected of raping woman at Okinawa base
Japan Today
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
U.S. military, Okinawa hold 1st safety forum after sex assault cases
Representatives of U.S. forces in Japan and Okinawa authorities held their first meeting Friday under a new forum to discuss joint safety measures, following alleged sexual assault cases involving American service members in the southern island prefecture. In closed-door talks at the U.S. Marine Corps' Camp Foster, the U.S. military outlined its existing preventive measures, while both sides agreed to work toward holding a regular joint community patrol, like the one conducted in April in the city of Okinawa, and expanding it to other parts of the prefecture, according to a local government official. The launch of the new dialogue venue, named "Okinawa Community Partnership Forum," was announced in July last year by U.S. Forces Japan, after revelations of alleged sexual assault cases in June sparked renewed safety concerns among locals. Okinawa Prefecture hosts the bulk of U.S. military installations in Japan, and anti-base sentiment runs deep due to aircraft noise, pollution and crimes committed by American service members. The participants of the first meeting of the new forum included representatives from the Okinawa prefectural government, the city of Okinawa, local police, the U.S. forces on Okinawa and the U.S. Consulate General Naha. Officials from Japan's foreign and defense ministries also took part. The meeting is expected to be held about once a year going forward. Specific assault cases were not discussed in the meeting, according to the local government official. "Establishing an avenue for each organization to propose measures to prevent incidents involving U.S. military is of great significance," Masahito Tamari, director general of the Okinawa governor's office, told reporters after the meeting. The U.S. military said in its statement that the talks "highlighted the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration between USFJ and the Okinawa community." "Both sides reaffirmed their dedication to fostering a positive and mutually beneficial relationship based on trust and respect," it added. © KYODO
Kyodo News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Kyodo News
U.S. military, Okinawa hold 1st safety forum after sex assault cases
KYODO NEWS - 4 minutes ago - 22:44 | All, Japan Representatives of U.S. forces in Japan and Okinawa authorities held their first meeting Friday under a new forum to discuss joint safety measures, following alleged sexual assault cases involving American service members in the southern island prefecture. In closed-door talks at the U.S. Marine Corps' Camp Foster, the U.S. military outlined its existing preventive measures, while both sides agreed to work toward holding a regular joint community patrol, like the one conducted in April in the city of Okinawa, and expanding it to other parts of the prefecture, according to a local government official. The launch of the new dialogue venue, named "Okinawa Community Partnership Forum," was announced in July last year by U.S. Forces Japan, after revelations of alleged sexual assault cases in June sparked renewed safety concerns among locals. Okinawa Prefecture hosts the bulk of U.S. military installations in Japan, and anti-base sentiment runs deep due to aircraft noise, pollution and crimes committed by American service members. The participants of the first meeting of the new forum included representatives from the Okinawa prefectural government, the city of Okinawa, local police, the U.S. forces on Okinawa and the U.S. Consulate General Naha. Officials from Japan's foreign and defense ministries also took part. The meeting is expected to be held about once a year going forward. Specific assault cases were not discussed in the meeting, according to the local government official. "Establishing an avenue for each organization to propose measures to prevent incidents involving U.S. military is of great significance," Masahito Tamari, director general of the Okinawa governor's office, told reporters after the meeting. The U.S. military said in its statement that the talks "highlighted the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration between USFJ and the Okinawa community." "Both sides reaffirmed their dedication to fostering a positive and mutually beneficial relationship based on trust and respect," it added. Related coverage: U.S. Marine in Okinawa indicted over rape, injury U.S. Marines from Okinawa to start moving to Guam barracks in June U.S. Marine suspected of raping woman at Okinawa base
