World

Hegseth pushes for US-ASEAN defense framework at Philippines summit

MANILA: The US proposed on Wednesday developing a new security framework for cooperation with ASEAN, as Southeast Asia’s defense chiefs and the region’s key partners met in the Philippines. The annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers’ Meeting is taking place in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, on Oct. 28-29. A platform for regional cooperation, the ADMM meeting takes place in the Philippines, which holds the 2026 ASEAN chairship. It brings together defense ministers from the bloc’s