During a recent exchange, Sen. Tammy Duckworth questioned Pete Hegseth on his qualifications for the role of secretary of defense, focusing on his experience with international security negotiations. Duckworth probed Hegseth on the highest level of negotiations he had led, emphasizing the importance of this skill for the secretary of defense role.
Responding to Duckworth's inquiry, Hegseth admitted that he had not been involved in international security negotiations due to his lack of government experience. When asked to name a security negotiation, Hegseth mentioned NATO, albeit inaccurately.
Duckworth further tested Hegseth's knowledge by asking about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a key partner for the U.S. in Indo-Pacific security. Hegseth struggled to provide accurate information, mistakenly citing countries like South Korea, Japan, and Australia as ASEAN members.
Correcting Hegseth, Duckworth highlighted that ASEAN comprises 10 member nations, including Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore. She advised Hegseth to conduct thorough research before engaging in such negotiations.
The exchange underscored the importance of understanding international security agreements and alliances for the role of secretary of defense, prompting a call for Hegseth to enhance his knowledge in this area.
