Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III delivered the keynote address at the Reagan National Defense Forum, emphasizing the importance of American leadership in rallying allies and partners globally. He highlighted the efforts of autocrats and terrorist groups to weaken America’s leadership and alliances but stressed the significance of the country’s network of alliances and partnerships as a strategic advantage. Austin pointed to the strength of alliances with NATO, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand, as well as major defense partners, allowing the U.S. to project power and deepen security.
Austin mentioned the progress made in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in the face of China’s increasing aggression. Upgrades to U.S. posture in the region have been made, including modernizing command-and-control frameworks with Japan, forging defense cooperation agreements with countries like Papua New Guinea and India, and expanding security cooperation with partners like Taiwan and the Philippines. The U.S. has also deepened partnerships through initiatives like the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines and the trilateral AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom.
In other regions, the U.S. has supported Ukraine’s defense efforts through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, working to deter Russian aggression. In the Middle East, efforts have been made to support Israel and protect Palestinian civilians, while sending a message of deterrence to Iran and its proxies. The Defense Department has also focused on investing in the defense industrial base to outpace rivals and ensure a military advantage, as well as in its people, with initiatives to improve troop pay, support military families, and address issues like sexual assault and harassment within the ranks.
Austin emphasized the importance of American values in the military, highlighting the diverse and talented group of volunteers who serve the country. He expressed hope that future leaders would build on the progress made over the last four years, continuing to uphold the principles and strengths of the U.S. military. The Department of Defense’s investments in its people and capabilities aim to strengthen national security and ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in inspiring collaboration and working towards a brighter future.
