On December 13, 2019, Mr. Chris Johnstone, Principal Director, South and Southeast Asia, Office of the Secretary of Defense participated in a roundtable discussion with scholars and experts. Drew Thompson moderated the discussion. He discussed the Department of Defense’s perspective of the Indo-Pacific Theater and U.S. efforts being taken to advance and sustain a free and open Indo-pacific. Participants discussed key issues, including U.S. commitment to the region and participation in ASEAN processes, as well as challenges presented by China’s efforts to pursue its interests in Southeast Asia, and its effectiveness in deterring some countries from pushing back when their own interests were threatened. Participants noted regional concerns over intensifying U.S.-China competition, and uncertainty about the ability of either China or the U.S. to exercise hegemony over the region.