Austin in an exclusive interview with NBC News called women in the military a strong asset. Trump's choice for Secretary of Defense has cast doubt on women in combat roles.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin praised women for their military service in an interview with NBC News, calling them “some of the finest in the world.” “I have spent 41 years in uniform, three long tours in Iraq,

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rebutted comments made by President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for the new secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, that women should not serve combat roles in the military. Austin gave what is expected to be his final television interview as secretary to NBC News,

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed regret Wednesday that his Chinese counterpart chose not to hold talks with him during meetings of Southeast Asian defense chiefs in Laos, calling it a setback for the entire region.

Southeast Asian defense chiefs and representatives are meeting in Laos for security talks at a time of increasing maritime disputes with China in the Asia-Pacific and as the transition to a new U.S. p

Many Southeast Asian nations are looking for assurances from the U.S. before President-elect Donald Trump's return to power in January.