[By Guancha Observer Network, Xiong Chaoyi] From May 30 to June 1, the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue (short for "Shangri-La") will be held in Singapore. On May 29, a US official told Reuters that US Defense Secretary Hackett would deliver a long speech on this conference on May 31, outlining his views on America's defense policy in the "Indo-Pacific" region.

Reportedly, during the first few months of his term, most of Hackett's attention has been focused on domestic issues, resisting what he sees as the military's "diversity, equality, and inclusion policies," and targeting the media. This time visiting Asia, he will attempt to hype up to regional defense leaders - "America is a more reliable partner than China in Asia," but in fact, there are still many questions about Trump's administration's commitment to this region.

A senior American defense official who wished to remain anonymous claimed: "Secretary Hackett will explain to Asian allies why America is a better partner than China." Another senior American defense official frankly admitted when talking about the anxiety of Asian allies: "Certainly, some people feel uncertain, and sometimes I think it is reasonable to describe it as concern."

In February this year, US Defense Secretary Hackett visited NATO headquarters, reported Bloomberg News.

Reuters reported that Hackett's speech at this Shangri-La Dialogue will surely attract attention because the previous Trump administration harshly criticized traditional American allies and recently announced tariff increases.

Hackett himself has angered European allies. During his visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in February, he warned Europe not to treat America like a fool.

Reportedly, early policies of the Trump administration in the "Indo-Pacific" region have already drawn side glances. Earlier this year, due to heightened tensions with Iran, the United States moved air defense systems from Asia to the Middle East, using 73 C-17 transport aircraft.

However, Hackett visited the Philippines and Japan in March this year. Experts believe that this trip shows the U.S. defense secretary's adherence to alliances and traditional values.

Ely Ratner, who served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs in the Biden administration, said that Asian allies are eagerly awaiting Hackett to demonstrate a coherent policy. "The region will closely watch whether the US Defense Secretary appearing at the Shangri-La Dialogue will behave as he did during his visits to the Philippines and Japan, or show the tougher stance towards European affairs that characterized the Trump administration."

Reuters noted that as a former Fox News anchor, Hackett narrowly passed the Senate confirmation vote in January to become the US Defense Secretary. After taking office, he quickly advanced Pentagon reforms, successively dismissing several senior generals, fully implementing Trump's national security agenda.

However, Hackett's leadership ability is currently facing high skepticism and strict scrutiny. It was disclosed that he had shared sensitive combat plans against the Houthis in Yemen in two encrypted group chats. Despite various controversies, Trump continues to firmly support him.

Greg Poling, director of the Southeast Asia project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), believes that compared to the pressure he faces domestically, Hackett may receive a "friendly response" at this Shangri-La Dialogue.

Tammy Duckworth, a Democratic senator leading the bipartisan US delegation to the Shangri-La Dialogue, bluntly stated that her mission is to convey to Asian allies the signal that the US remains committed, a message Hackett is "incapable of conveying."

"He got this job just because he flattered President Trump and showed his face on Fox News. Therefore, we must recognize the true level of this defense secretary," Duckworth told Reuters without holding back.

It was reported that besides Hackett and the bipartisan US delegation, Dan Caine, who has just been sworn in as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is also expected to attend this Shangri-La Dialogue.

In addition, French President Emmanuel Macron has embarked on a six-day visit to Southeast Asia, where he will visit Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore, and attend the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. According to the agenda on the Shangri-La Dialogue website, Macron will deliver a keynote speech at the opening banquet on May 30.

This article is an exclusive contribution by the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7509671765082194459/

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