Hegseth Praises Asia, Slams Europe — and Ukraine Is Watching

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth used his latest public remarks to lavish praise on Asian allies and tout stable US-China relations — while firing fresh criticism at Europe. For Kyiv, the signal is hard to miss: Washington's strategic attention is drifting eastward, even as the war in Ukraine drags into its fourth year. European capitals, already scrambling to close the gaps left by shifting US commitments, now have to contend with a Defense Secretary who seems to view the continent more as a burden than a partner.