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Issues · nato-and-alliances · Foreign policy

NATO and U.S. alliances

Whether the U.S. should reaffirm, expand, restructure, or step back from NATO and other treaty alliances (Japan, South Korea, Philippines, AUKUS).

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NATO has expanded substantially since the Cold War — Finland (2023) and Sweden (2024) are recent additions. Article V (mutual defense) has been invoked once, after 9/11. Recent debates:

  • Burden-sharing: U.S. spends ~3.4% of GDP on defense; many European allies still below the 2% benchmark, though most have increased post-2022.
  • Article V scope and credibility: How clearly does U.S. commitment extend to all members?
  • NATO expansion / Ukraine path: Membership prospects for Ukraine, Georgia.
  • Indo-Pacific: Bilateral alliances (Japan, Korea, Philippines), AUKUS submarine pact, the Quad.
  • Treaty-style commitments: Whether modern alliances should require Senate ratification.

Spectrum of framings

How adherents on each side of the conventional left / center / right spectrum frame this issue — written so each camp would recognize the framing as charitable.

left

Most progressives strongly support NATO and U.S. alliances, with debates over military activity within them.

center

Most centrists strongly support NATO and Indo-Pacific alliances.

right

Conservative views split: traditional internationalists strongly support alliances; realist and "America First" voices favor reduced commitments.

Perspectives

Each perspective is presented in terms its advocates would recognize, with the concerns they treat as paramount. None is endorsed.

  • Alliance-reaffirmation advocates

    NATO and U.S. alliances are foundational to international stability and U.S. interests. Strong alliances deter aggression, reduce free-riding, and amplify U.S. influence at lower cost than unilateral approaches.

    • Deterrence of Russia and China
    • Burden-sharing increases since 2022
    • Multiplying U.S. influence

  • Alliance-restructuring advocates

    NATO has drifted from its core defensive purpose. The U.S. should require firm 2-3% defense spending from allies, pivot resources to the Indo-Pacific, and avoid open-ended commitments.

    • Burden-sharing enforcement
    • Indo-Pacific prioritization
    • Avoiding open-ended commitments

  • Restraint advocates

    Cold War-era alliance structures encourage the U.S. to fight wars not central to its interests. A more restrained foreign policy with limited treaty commitments better serves the country.

    • Avoiding entangling alliances
    • Resources for domestic priorities
    • Reducing risk of major-power war

Voices on this issue17

Commonly-cited public figures who have taken a position on this issue. Grouped by their conventional left/center/right lean. Tap a voice to see their full position record.

left5

center1

right11

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