Elbridge Colby Urges Asian Allies to Increase Defense Spending

Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby declared in Manila on Monday that the United States is not disengaging from Asia, despite ongoing U.S. focus on the Middle East and the war in Iran. Speaking at a forum for diplomats and military leaders, Colby stated the U.S. is digging in to maintain a favorable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, specifically advocating for a posture of deterrence by denial along the First Island Chain from Japan to Borneo.

Colby urged Asian allies to modernize their own forces and increase defense spending to avoid dependency on American support. He characterized this demand for greater burden-sharing as a search for partners, not protectorates, arguing that sovereign nations must take responsibility for their own security to ensure a sustainable defense architecture. He noted that when partners are strong, deterrence is strong.

While avoiding direct criticism of China, Colby referenced the U.S. obligation to defend the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea. He reiterated a commitment from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to maintain a defense posture that makes regional aggression infeasible and war irrational. The visit to the Philippines is the first stop of a Southeast Asian tour that includes scheduled visits to Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia.