U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth affirmed on Saturday that the Arab Gulf states remain among the United States’ most trusted and ideal allies. He stated that the “America First” policy does not mean ‘isolation’ but instead working hand in hand with strategic partners to maintain regional and global security.
His remarks came during the opening session of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue Asian Security Summit, held in Singapore, and attended by Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Sabah, as well as senior defense officials, military leaders, and security experts from 47 countries.
In his speech, Hegseth clarified that “‘America First’ certainly doesn’t mean America alone,” stressing the value of working alongside “model allies like Poland, the Gulf states, and the Baltic states.” He reiterated Washington’s strong commitment to its allies, particularly in the Gulf region, as part of a broader strategy to ensure mutual security and regional stability.
He emphasized that the United States remains fully committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, noting that U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking a “firm and verifiable” agreement to address that threat. Hegseth criticized what he described as a period of declining deterrence under the administration of former President Joe Biden and asserted that the Trump administration is reviving American strength through a clear defense strategy.
That strategy, Hegseth explained, is based on three core pillars — reviving the warrior spirit, rebuilding the military, and reestablishing deterrence.
He added that the proposed U.S. defense budget for the coming year will exceed one trillion dollars, signaling a significant investment in national defense capabilities.
Among the key initiatives he mentioned was the development of the “Golden Dome” missile defense project for U.S. territory and efforts to reinforce military deployments along the southern U.S. border.
Turning to global strategic challenges, Hegseth warned against increasing Chinese influence, particularly in the Panama Canal, describing it as a vital waterway that the U.S. would not allow to be turned into a geopolitical tool. He said the U.S. is determined to regain control over such strategic sites and will not permit rivals to undermine its global standing or its alliances.
While Hegseth clarified that the United States does not seek conflict with China, nor does it intend to encircle or change its regime, he asserted that Washington would not allow Beijing to impose its hegemony on America’s allies. “China seeks to change the status quo using military buildup, gray warfare, cyber capabilities, and hybrid warfare,” he said.
He concluded his speech by calling on all U.S. allies to actively share the burden of maintaining peace and stability, declaring that deterrence cannot be unilateral. “Together, we will show the world what peace through strength means in ways visible and invisible, overt and covert,” Hegseth said.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted annually since 2002 by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), serves as a major global platform for addressing pressing security and defense issues. This year’s summit runs from May 30 to June 1 in Singapore, bringing together decision-makers and experts from across the globe to discuss topics ranging from nuclear proliferation and cybersecurity to maritime security and regional crisis management.
