South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (L) shaking hands with Elbridge Colby, U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, during their meeting at the defense ministry in Seoul, South Korea, 26 January 2026. Photo by ROK Ministry of Defense / EPA
Aug. 11 (Asia Today) -- The United States is putting Asia at the top of its defense priorities and strengthening a denial-based deterrence posture along the First Island Chain, a senior Pentagon official said Monday, as a U.S. defense expert warned that American bases in South Korea, Japan and Guam remain highly vulnerable to Chinese and North Korean missile and drone attacks.
Elbridge Colby, U.S. under secretary for policy, said during a speech at the Stratbase Institute in Manila that Washington is not withdrawing from Asia.
"The United States is decidedly not disengaging from Asia," Colby said. "We are not leaving. We are digging in to ensure a favorable balance of power where it matters."
Colby said the United States considers Asia its top priority and must establish a "deterrence by denial" posture along the First Island Chain, stretching through Japan's Okinawa islands, Taiwan, the Philippines and Borneo.
