Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses met with media members today during a visit to the US African Command in Stuttgart, Germany, and told DOD’s forces about priorities in Europe and Africa. I spoke.
When asked if he would visit Africom on his first overseas trip as Secretary of Defense, Hegseth pointed to the threats raised by China in the area.
He said that China’s intentions are harmful not only in parts of the world but also in the African continent.
“And America’s stance will be important when it comes to fighting that space with allies and partners, so that certainly remains a priority,” he continued.
In addition to continuing to monitor China’s presence in Africa, Hegses said the military’s stance in the African area of responsibility is countering the ongoing terrorist threat in the region.
As an example of this, he pointed to an airstrike on Somali’s ISIS target, coordinated in conjunction with Somali’s federal government, on February 1, 2025.
Hegseth said the operation is an example of the DOD returning tactical decision-making powers to senior military commanders.
“It’s a reflection on dismantling the fighter’s hands that pushed down authority (and) had it dismantled,” he said. “(Such decisions) should be made more quickly at the four-star or Secretary of Defense level, based on their ability to dismantle the enemy,” he added.
Regarding military stances in European responsible regions, Hegses visited the US European headquarters earlier that day – and now has a force from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region to deal with new threats from China. He said there are no plans to move it. He added that the attitudes of power around the world will be reviewed.
Secretaries must arise before the US considers critical military re-administration by peacefully ending the war in Ukraine and ensuring that European NATO countries will raise their defense spending to a sufficient level. He said there was.
Hegseth has made it clear that future re-administration of US troops in Europe should not be considered abandonment of American allies.
“We are tolerant of not considering the attitude of power everywhere, but saying “America is abandoned” or “America is leaving” is an assumption of a false plan. No, America is wise to observe, plan, prioritize and project forces to stop conflicts,” Heggs said.
“Strong – being peace through force is the way you stop it,” he continued.
Hegseth is planning to travel to neighbouring Brussels to attend the Ukrainian Defense Liaison Group meeting with the NATO Minister of Defense.
Hegseth discusses the need to engage with the first NATO ministers with allies and partners, to encourage allied defence spending, increase European leadership and expand the defense industry foundation capabilities on both sides of the Atlantic. It’s planned.
At the UDCG, Hegses will reiterate President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to a diplomatic and opportunistic end to war in Ukraine, underscoring the need to increase European leadership in security support for the country is.
“The urgency of this moment requires friends to talk to friends about their abilities. … Leadership, step-up, … the incentive that the European continent deserves to be released from attack, it invests most on top of that “The neighborhood is…personal and collective defense,” he said.
