Baumgartner Gives a Detailed View of the Current Indo-Pacific Landscape.

WASHINGTON – Speaking from the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Congressman Michael Baumgartner joined the School of War podcast to discuss the rapidly changing security landscape in the Indo-Pacific. Drawing on meetings with senior defense and diplomatic officials from across the region, Baumgartner discussed China’s growing pressure on its neighbors, the importance of keeping critical sea lanes open, the risks posed by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the need for America’s partners to invest in real defense capabilities. He also highlighted the growing strategic importance of Vietnam, the stakes for Taiwan, and the role of U.S. defense-industrial capacity in deterring future conflict.

“America’s presence in Asia is a choice. China’s presence is a geographic reality,” Congressman Baumgartner said.  “The more confident these countries are that the United States will remain present and committed, the less pressure they feel to hedge toward China.”

Watch the full podcast episode here.