US says it will deepen security role in Asia

The United States has rejected suggestions that it is reducing its involvement in Asia.

A senior Pentagon official said Washington plans to strengthen its position in the Indo-Pacific and maintain what it considers a favourable balance of power in the region.

US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby made the remarks during a speech in Manila on Monday.

He said the United States was not leaving Asia. Instead, Washington was increasing its focus on the region.

Colby also called on US allies and partners to take greater responsibility for their own defence.

He said Washington wanted stronger partnerships rather than relationships based on dependence.

According to Colby, the United States expects its regional allies to increase defence spending and strengthen their own military capabilities.

He said greater responsibility from partner countries should not be interpreted as a sign that Washington is abandoning the region.

Colby argued that stronger allies would contribute to stronger deterrence and help maintain regional stability.

The Pentagon official said the US strategy includes maintaining a credible military presence along the First Island Chain.

The strategic area stretches from Japan through Taiwan and the Philippines toward Borneo. It is considered important to US efforts to deter potential military threats in the Indo-Pacific.

Colby said the United States was committed to maintaining a balance of power in the region. He also emphasised the need for allies to contribute more to regional security.

His comments come amid continuing questions about the long-term US security commitment to Asia.

Some regional governments and analysts have expressed concerns about whether Washington will remain as deeply involved in the Indo-Pacific as it has been in previous years.

Colby sought to address those concerns by stressing that the United States intends to remain engaged.

The Philippines is the first stop on Colby’s Southeast Asian tour. He is also scheduled to visit Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia.

The Philippines is a longstanding US treaty ally and has strengthened defence cooperation with Washington in recent years.

The Pentagon official’s remarks are likely to be closely watched by US partners across the region.

Washington is seeking to strengthen cooperation with allies while encouraging them to invest more heavily in their own defence.

The approach reflects a broader US strategy of sharing the security burden with regional partners while maintaining a strong American military presence.

Colby said the goal was to build capable partners rather than create countries that depend entirely on US protection.

He maintained that stronger regional partners would make the overall US deterrence strategy more effective.