The US’s intent has been advanced through concrete demands and deployments. At the SLD, Hegseth pushed Australia to lift its defence spending, reportedly from 2-3% of its GDP. In Japan in March, he announced the upgrading of US Forces Japan into a “war-fighting headquarters” to enhance joint operational capabilities with Japan’s Self-Defence Forces. In the Philippines, he announced the forward deployment of advanced US systems, including the NMESIS anti-ship missile platform in the Batanes, which lie within striking range of Taiwan. With the same logic, Hegseth signalled the re-securitisation of the Quad, as reflected in the launch of the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network and…