"US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth doubled down on Washington's operations under President Donald Trump as measures to establish 'deterrence' and secure the country's interests, speaking in Los Angeles on Friday. "Under a previous administration, the world questioned American strength, whether it was the debacle in Afghanistan, the invasion of Ukraine, or the war unleashed in Israel by Hamas on October 7, all of which would have never happened under President Trump. That era of doubt and smeared American reputation is over," Hegseth said. "Peace through strength is a real thing in a modern, contested world. If your enemy thinks you have the willingness and the capability to defeat them anywhere in the world, anytime on your terms, that's how you deter the conflict to begin with," the secretary emphasised, citing the US strikes on the Houthis, its crackdown on the southern border and operation in Venezuela. Hegseth continued to praise Trump's role in combating 'decline' and introducing the 'Golden Age of America' since taking office for the second time. Since returning to the White House last January, Trump has claimed credit for resolving several global conflicts and has repeatedly suggested this record merits a Nobel Peace Prize. His latest operation in Venezuela, which saw the US forces capture President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, has drawn international condemnation, particularly from several Latin American countries and members of the BRICS, including Russia and China."