Hegseth responded at the heated Senate confirmation hearing that he couldn’t tell Duckworth the exact number of ASEAN nations, but that “I know we have allies in South Korea and Japan in AUKUS (a pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the U.S.) with Australia.”

In a hearing that stretched more than four hours, Democrats pressed Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s pick for defense secretary, on numerous allegations of misconduct, his views about women in combat and his ability to lead the department.