News/Features

Secretary of Defense Austin: Nations support rules-based order

by Jim Garamone

DOD News

Nations around the world value and respect the rules-based international order and are willing to sacrifice for it, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said at the end of an international trip.

Both China and Russia want to change the existing rules-based structure in ways that favor them.

But nations believe in the order and the values that support the structure, Austin said during an interview on his way back from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ defense ministers meeting in Cambodia.

One of the major lessons from the Russian invasion of Ukraine “is how much countries around the world value and respect the rules-based international order,” Austin said.

Spotlight: Support for Ukraine

He noted that, when Russia invaded Ukraine, countries united to not only provide security assistance, but also participate in sanctions and trade restrictions.

Those economic levers made it tough on Russia, the secretary said. But they also put strain on the countries. “It is a risk that they accept,” he said. “That’s how much they believe in the rules-based international order.”

Photo by Chad J. McNeeley Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III delivers remarks at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ meeting of defense ministers in Siem

See AUSTIN, Page 8 Reap, Cambodia, Nov. 22.

Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Refueling Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil

COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE

The Action Line provides two-way communication between the 6th Air Refueling Wing commander and the MacDill community. Personnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via email to macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil or Facebook @6thARWCommandTeam

MacDill Thunderbolt

Publisher: Joe Deluca Editor: Nick Stubbs

The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by the Times Publishing Company, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. military services on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or the 6th Air Refueling Wing.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, 6th Air Refueling Wing or the Publishing Company of the products or service advertised.

For retail advertising, call (813) 226-3318.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron.

News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted to the 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office, 8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at 828-2215. Email: 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.

Deadline for article submissions is noon, Wednesdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articles received after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions are considered for publication based on news value and timeliness.

Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

MacDill on the web

Website: www.macdill.af.mil Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase Instagram: macdill_afb Twitter: @macdill_afb