Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth has pledged to restore the US military’s strategic edge against Russia and China, attributing the growing alignment between Moscow and Beijing to the previous administration’s perceived leadership shortcomings. Hegseth emphasized President Trump’s directive to overhaul US military strength and deterrence capabilities, while noting that the US does not seek conflict but aims to maintain a strategic advantage.
Hegseth later clarified that although the US does not seek conflict with Russia or China, it aims to ‘maintain strategic advantage.’ Moscow and Beijing have described their relations as a strategic partnership ‘without limits.’ After the West imposed sweeping sanctions in response to the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Russia redirected much of its trade and supply chains toward China.
Both countries have condemned Washington’s ‘Cold War mentality’ and pledged to work toward a fairer, more equitable model of international relations. Hegseth’s comments were made in response to the large military parade in Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin participated, highlighting the deepening ties between the two nations.
The US, under Trump’s leadership, is striving to reestablish its deterrence strategies against both Russia and China. Hegseth’s statements reflect the administration’s focus on rebuilding military strength and reaffirming American leadership in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.