The United States, as per the 2026 National Defense Strategy, emphasizes the need for allies to take on more global defense responsibilities. While alliances remain crucial, the strategy calls for a shift towards allies contributing based on their own interests rather than dependency on the US. This move aligns with the US prioritizing homeland defense and countering China in the Indo-Pacific region.
The strategy underscores the importance of allied participation in addressing security threats that may be more significant for them than for the US. It highlights the “simultaneity problem,” where multiple adversaries could collaborate across different regions, emphasizing the need for allies to step up their defense capabilities.
Burden-sharing is a key aspect of the new strategy, with allies urged to meet a global defense spending benchmark set at 5% of GDP. European NATO allies are expected to take primary responsibility for their conventional defense, leveraging their economic strength and industrial capacity. In the Indo-Pacific, allies are called upon to play a crucial role in deterring and balancing China to maintain a free and open regional order.
The strategy extends burden-sharing expectations to regions beyond Europe and Asia. It emphasizes the need for regional partners in the Middle East to deter Iran and its proxies, with US support remaining focused. South Korea is identified as capable of taking the lead in deterring North Korea on the Korean Peninsula, with US forces in a supporting role. The strategy aims to incentivize allies meeting spending commitments and actively contributing to regional security through various means like arms sales and intelligence-sharing.
