US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has had a shaky start to his potential tenure at the Pentagon as he appears to lack knowledge about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. Is. During his four-hour-long Senate confirmation hearing in the US Congress, Mr Hegseth was questioned about how many countries were in the bloc and about naming one member state.
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who was born in Bangkok to a Thai mother and American father, questioned Mr Hegseth, arguing that he was “not qualified” for the post.
“You talked a little bit about the Indo-Pacific, and I’m glad you mentioned it – can you name at least one country of importance in ASEAN and what our relationship with at least one of those countries is? What type of agreement is there, and by the way, how many nations are there in ASEAN?” inquired Ms. Duckworth.
To which, Mr Hegseth replied: “I can’t tell you the exact number of countries in this, but I know we have colleagues in AUKUS in South Korea, Japan and Australia, where we are trying to work with them on submarines. Have been.” ,
Frustrated with the response given by the Republican leader, Ms Duckworth interrupted him and said: “None of the three countries you mentioned are in ASEAN, so I suggest you stop preparing for these types of talks.” Do some homework first.”
It is noteworthy that the 10 members of ASEAN are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea are “observer states”.
Pete Hegseth doesn’t know which countries are in ASEAN when asked by Senator Tammy Duckworth.
This is an example of how unfit Pete Hegseth is to hold the position of Secretary of Defense.
Brother is worthless.pic.twitter.com/OGUGz0ATxz
– Art Candy?? (@ArtCandee) 14 January 2025
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social media reacts
While people from across the political spectrum criticized Mr Hegseth for not knowing about an important alliance, Conservative supporters defended him, saying it was unfair for a potential Defense Secretary to be concerned about a “purely political and economic group of nations”. No need to know.
“These are basic questions that anyone in the DoD would know. Hegseth can’t answer one!” said one user, while another added: “This is simultaneously hilarious and terrifying.”
A third commented: “ASEAN is not a military alliance. Hegseth has mentioned military allies in the region since applying for Secretary of Defense.”
In addition to his knowledge of Southeast Asia, Mr. Hegseth was also questioned over allegations of workplace sexual harassment, infidelity and drinking. Mr. Hegseth, a veteran of the Army National Guard, has no diplomatic or administrative experience, but if he succeeds in rising to the post, he will lead the Defense Department, including its three million employees and $849 billion budget. Is.
