Overview

• John Noh, the White House pick to be assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, testified that China remains the most serious military threat and called for combat‑credible forces forward in the western Pacific with advanced submarines, long‑range strike, resilient C2, integrated air and missile defense, fifth‑generation aircraft, and unmanned systems.
• Lawmakers from both parties questioned reports that the forthcoming defense strategy could shift attention toward homeland priorities, as Noh pledged to advocate for the resources needed to sustain deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
• Noh pressed allies including Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and Taiwan to increase defense spending, saying Taiwan should invest more and prioritize asymmetric capabilities suited to an invasion scenario.
• Pressed on unresolved policy choices, Noh declined to take a firm position on the cancellation of $400 million in Taiwan military aid and offered no commitment on reported considerations to move roughly 4,500 U.S. troops from South Korea, saying he would work with INDOPACOM and U.S. Forces Korea on recommendations.
• Noh said the Pentagon’s AUKUS submarine effort is under a sustainability review likely to conclude in the fall, as former official Ely Ratner warned Congress that current policy may be reducing U.S. support for Taiwan and urged an all‑of‑the‑above approach to its defense.