WASHINGTON – In a tense and revealing moment during the confirmation hearing for the Trump administration’s newly nominated Secretary of Defense, Pete Hagseth, struggled to name the ten member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The exchange took place under questioning from  Senator Tammy Duckworth (D) Illinois, who sought to probe the nominee’s understanding of the region’s geopolitical dynamics.

ASEAN, a critical regional bloc for Southeast Asia, plays a significant role in fostering economic and security collaboration. Its members—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—are central to U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

Duckworth, born in Bangkok and a prominent member of the House Armed Services Committee, asked the nominee to list the countries during a discussion on military partnerships and regional security. After a hesitant response and several incorrect guesses, the nominee admitted to being unable to complete the list.

“This is a fundamental area of U.S. foreign policy,” Senator Duckworth remarked during the hearing. “How can we ensure effective leadership and engagement in the Indo-Pacific if our Defense Secretary isn’t well-versed in the key players in the region?”

The moment has sparked criticism from lawmakers and foreign policy experts alike, with some questioning whether the nominee is adequately prepared to manage the complexities of U.S. defense strategy in an era of rising challenges from China and other regional powers.

When pressed further about specific security agreements and military partnerships in the region, the nominee offered general responses, emphasizing a commitment to building alliances but falling short of detailed analysis.

The exchange has already raised doubts among members of Congress regarding the nominee’s readiness for the position. The confirmation vote is expected to be contentious as lawmakers deliberate whether the candidate can address the nuanced challenges facing the Department of Defense. (hz)