Southeast Asian Defense Chiefs Meet in Laos

Defense chiefs from South Korea, the U.S., Japan, the Philippines, and Australia convened in Laos for a meeting on multilateral cooperation during the ASEAN defense ministerial. They emphasized a commitment to a free and secure Indo-Pacific, condemning the military collaboration between Russia and North Korea while vowing to strengthen regional defense cooperation. Concurrently, NATO hosted its Bi-annual Meeting with 26 Partner Nations, highlighting the importance of resilience and collaboration in science and technology amid ongoing global security challenges, particularly regarding Ukraine. NATO officials reiterated the critical role of partnerships in facing new threats and expressed gratitude for the insights provided by Partner Nations. These discussions come at a time of heightened maritime disputes with China, as ASEAN members negotiate a code of conduct for the South China Sea. Both meetings reflect a broader commitment to regional stability and security amidst evolving geopolitical tensions.