Under Secretary of War Elbridge Colby

I am profoundly honored to begin work under President @realdonaldtrump & @secdef as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. I am also very grateful to @VP, including for swearing me in last week. 🧵1/

It was a great personal honor to meet with Philippines President Marcos @bongbongmarcos this week in New York during his visit to the United Nations. President Marcos is a model leader in leaning forward to address collective defense. We had a very productive discussion emphasizing the vital importance of the U.S.-Philippine alliance and how to make it even stronger.

Excellent meeting with NATO Chief of Staff @leeuwengew. Very productive follow-up discussion on advancing a NATO 3.0 where European allies take primary responsibility for their own defense. We continue to get down to business about building a more balanced and effective Alliance.

My full prepared remarks may be found here. 9/9 
war.gov/News/Speeches/…

NATO 3.0 will be a strong and durable Alliance. Last year’s Hague Summit spending commitment matches the present security environment and America’s commitments outside of Europe. The War Department is committed to helping our Allies step up and strengthen their militaries. 8/

It was a great honor yesterday to represent Secretary Hegseth at the NATO Defense Ministerial. NATO’s historic commitment last year to spend 5% of GDP on defense has put the Alliance on a stronger and more durable path. 1/

The Department of War will continue to advance the Administration’s common sense, flexible realism vision in the Indo-Pacific. We are already seeing tremendous, material progress in achieving these goals, and we will lean forward across this vital region. 10/10

It was also great to spend time and learn from our Ambassador in Japan, @USAmbJapan, and his team, as well as with U.S. Forces Japan Commander, Lt Gen Stephen Jost. 9/

Last week, I had the distinct honor of making my first international trip as Under Secretary to two vital allies in Asia, our priority theater – South Korea and Japan. 1/