Mark Esper

US Defence Chief Says China ‘Destabilising’ Pacific

August 28, 2020 11:02 am

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper accused China of “destabilising” the Pacific region Friday on a whistle-stop trip to the tiny island nation of Palau.

The visit, which lasted barely three hours, comes as Washington attempts to counter Beijing’s efforts to gain influence in the sparsely populated but strategically important Pacific island nations.

Esper said the United States and Palau shared values of freedom “where all countries respect the rules and norms for peace and prosperity of all nations”.

“This is especially important today, as we continue …

Pentagon Chief Warns Beijing That The US Military Isn't 'Going To Be Stopped

Pentagon Warns Beijing That US Military Won’t Be Stopped

July 21, 2020 5:34 pm

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper warned Beijing on Tuesday that the US isn’t “going to be stopped by anybody” in the South China Sea, stressing that US aircraft carriers will continue to sail these waters.

His remarks follows a statement last week from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejecting many of China’s maritime claims and criticizing its efforts to enforce its will.

While Esper was tough on China in his remarks, he extended an olive branch that revealed that he is planning a trip to China, his first as secretary of defense, before the end of the year.

Secretary of …

Defense Chief Esper Counters Trump On Using Armed Forces

June 3, 2020 5:00 pm

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper is on shaky ground with the White House after saying Wednesday that he does not support using active duty troops to quell the large-scale protests across the United States triggered by the death of George Floyd and those forces should only be used in a law enforcement role as a last resort.

Esper noted that “we are not in one of those situations now,” distancing himself from President Donald Trump’s recent threat to deploy the military to enforce order.

“The option to use active duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used

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