Washington: A senior Pentagon official described President Donald Trump's defense policy Tuesday as "not a recipe for isolation" but a "common sense" approach amid lingering concerns about the potential impact of Trump's America First policy on U.S. alliances and partnerships.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the new Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Elbridge Colby, made the remarks in a social media post on the day after he was sworn in by Vice President J.D. Vance last Wednesday. Colby has been tasked with a significant role in shaping America's defense strategy.
"This isn't a recipe for isolation. Instead, it's the common-sense approach. If we had continued on the old path, disaster would have been the result," Colby stated on X, referencing Trump's defense policy. He emphasized the importance of President Trump's strategy, which he believes prioritizes American interests and aims to restore peace through strength for the long term.
Trump's America First policy has been a subject of debate, with some viewing it as a potential move towards reducing U.S. military involvement abroad and urging allies to take on more security responsibilities. Critics have labeled it as a form of isolationism.
Last Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Colby for the Pentagon's third-highest position. He has been a proponent of adjusting the role of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) to focus more on threats from China. In an interview with Yonhap News Agency last year, Colby discussed the necessity of overhauling USFK to address China-related contingencies instead of solely focusing on North Korean challenges.
Colby previously served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development from 2017-2018 during the first Trump administration.