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US Defence Official Calls for Asian Burden-Sharing in Indo-Pacific

8/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby said in Manila the United States is “digging in” to keep a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.
He said Asian partners must shoulder more defence responsibility, pursue “partnership, not dependency,” and adopt “deterrence by denial along the First Island Chain” from Japan to Borneo.
Colby will travel from the Philippines to Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia to discuss burden-sharing with allies.

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Story summary

Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby said in Manila the United States is “digging in” to keep a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.
He said Asian partners must shoulder more defence responsibility, pursue “partnership, not dependency,” and adopt “deterrence by denial along the First Island Chain” from Japan to Borneo.
Colby will travel from the Philippines to Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia to discuss burden-sharing with allies.