Pete Hegseth looked great. That square jaw remained at a constant determined jut. President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Defense Department and its 3 million troops and civilians walked into the Capitol Hill hearing room along with the wife he described as “beautiful” and “humble,

The 10-nation bloc, known as ASEAN, has been useful for the United States in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. Many member nations have territorial disputes with China, which has become increasingly assertive in pressing those claims.

The nominee for Secretary of Defense wore his patriotism on his sleeve during his confirmation hearing — and his belt, his socks, and his pocket square.