I wonder if Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth understands what motivates the Pacific island countries and those in Southeast Asia to be aligned with the U.S.? The concerns of the Pacific nations, as highlighted recently by Michael Schiffer, are focused on their ability to adapt to climate change and se a-level rise, protection of their marine resources and having technical assistance in times of disaster or threats beyond their capacity (“Trump burns decades of U.S. Indo-Pacific partner-building,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Feb. 23). ...read more read less