Blinken vows more military might

All ears: Blinken listening to Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi speaking after they signed a Memorandum Of Understanding on Maritime Cooperation at the Pancasila Building in Jakarta. — AFP

The United States says it will expand its military and economic relationships with partners in Asia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration is committed to maintaining peace and prosperity in the region and will do that by boosting US alliances, forging new relationships and ensuring that the US military maintains “its competitive edge”.