Hegseth responded at the heated Senate confirmation hearing that he couldn't tell Duckworth the exact number ... Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

It is no surprise that a top member of the Trump administration, like Hegseth, faces concerns, as there have been worries that the boss himself may not be keen on Southeast Asia.

Pete Hegseth’s inexperience could put troops’ lives in danger, warned the combat veteran who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee.