For our counter-terrorism efforts to be successful, we must unify our efforts – strengthened by moral clarity, political will, and implacable commitment to fully share the difficult and dangerous work this will require.
In this effort we are partnering with a number of countries in the region, including Malaysia and Indonesia, to improve information sharing and maritime domain awareness so regional leaders can deliver pragmatic protection for their people.
Information sharing is vital if we are to maintain law and order against a foe that intentionally targets women, children, and the innocent in our countries.
I am confident in our collective ability to make this vibrant and diverse region safer without sacrificing its prosperity or its values.
In light of these challenges, let me describe three ways the department of defense is pursuing our common objective of regional stability.
Our primary effort remains strengthening alliances. This protects and promotes the principles we share with our steadfast allies. History is compelling on this point: nations with strong allies that respect one another thrive and those without stagnate and wither.
Alliances provide avenues for peace, fostering the conditions for economic growth with countries that share the same vision, while tempering the plans of those who would attack other nations or try to impose their will over the less powerful.
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