Hegseth Eyes Increased Pacific Basing Access, Deterrence Efforts Along First Island Chain
Aaron-Matthew Lariosa
December 8, 2025 5:23 PM
U.S. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members establish a forward arming refueling point within the first island chain on Yonaguni, Japan, Oct. 27, 2025. US Marine Corp photo
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth laid out the Trump administration’s vision to reinforce U.S. military posture in the first island chain to deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan while speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum over the weekend.
“We’re not trying to strangle China’s growth, we’re not trying to dominate or humiliate them,” Hegseth said during his keynote at the annual national security conference. “Nor are we trying to change the status quo over Taiwan. Our interests in the Indo-Pacific are significant, but also scoped and reasonable. This includes the ability for us, along with allies, to be postured strongly enough in the Indo-Pacific to balance China’s growing power.”
The defense secretary’s remarks came in tandem with the release of the 2025 National Security Strategy, which emphasized burden-sharing and economic security. On the Indo-Pacific, the document noted the need “to deter adversaries and protect the First Island Chain” via American conventional military overmatch, increased cooperation with partners and basing access.
https://news.usni.org/2025/12/08/hegseth-eyes-increased-pacific-basing-access-deterrence-efforts-along-first-island-chain
