Pentagon Pivots to Indo-Pacific to Address China Threats, Secretary Hegseth Says

A potential conflict between China and the United States could occur over Taiwan.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Arlington, Va., on March 6, 2025. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military is “shifting focus over to the Indo-Pacific” to address a potential conflict against communist China.

In an appearance on Fox News on May 19, Hegseth said the Pentagon is “laser-focused” on how the U.S. military should counter China’s military capabilities, in modern warfare that focuses on advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and unmanned aerial aircraft.