we should be less concerned about provoking China than we should be concerned about bolstering our friends, allies, and partners in the region.

Clearly, this is no path toward peace.

The reality is that no important security or economic issue in the region can be addressed without both South Korea's and Japan's active involvement.

It is frustrating to us that we have not been able to be more effective in communicating to our constituents the urgency of these issues.

This trilateral will change the power dynamic in the South China Sea.

I think the U.S. strategy has been to just push that back a day at a time, a year at a time.

Though I would use the term 'adversary' rather than 'competitor', this strategy recognizes that the PRC is the only competitor with both the intent and, increasingly, the capability to reshape the international order.

America's alliance with Japan stands as the cornerstone of prosperity, security, and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

The circumstances are pretty dire, and I really do not think the majority of Americans recognize the urgency of the situation.

I agree with Professor Mead's piece in the Wall Street Journal where he opined that we get it wrong when we believe that giving in to leaders like Putin will satisfy them.

Japan's remarkable commitment to dramatically increase its defense spending to historic levels is both welcome and critical to our Alliance and stability in the region.

They need our tangible support . . . not our best wishes.

Clearly, this is no path toward peace.

We need to level with the American people about just how much trouble we are in.

This is pure evil, and it baffles me that there are those who seek to justify Hamas' actions.

AUKUS was a striking innovation in terms of security and deterrence.

This trilateral will change the power dynamic in the South China Sea.

I think Secretary Blinken and President Biden and Senators Cardin and Risch through ratifying COFA, through spending time with Pacific Island leaders, have done is to show the respect to other sovereigns.