Assessing American Alliances

Many believe that permanent peacetime alliances provide both security and leverage for the United States — but are today’s alliances really fit for purpose?

In Grand Strategy Research

A common view in Washington is that America’s global network of alliances and strategic partnerships is a source of strength and global influence and is integral for fostering global peace and stability. This project explores that assumption, testing whether alliances – often seen as a core component of U.S. grand strategy – actually advance U.S. security and prosperity. By surfacing a set of questions and research topics that scrutinize the assumptions about alliances and partnerships underlying U.S. foreign policy, this project opens a space for a broader discussion about the potential risks and rewards of changing the U.S. approach to alliances to one better suited to the twenty-first century, and better grounded in realism and restraint.

Research

Field Note
During a recent research trip to Ankara and Istanbul, we discussed US-Türkiye relations with a range of experts
Christopher Preble • Nevada Joan Lee
Field Note
We went to Abu Dhabi on a research trip and met with a variety of experts to understand the state of the US-UAE relationship and what the next few years may have in store
Christopher Preble • Nevada Joan Lee
Issue Brief
American leaders have a choice: build the systems that will shape the future, or others will build them for you. In the coming century, those who control production have the power.
Mohammed Soliman • Emma Ashford • Nevada Joan Lee
Issue Brief
America should shift Europe's conventional defense burden to wealthy allies like Germany while maintaining nuclear control
Sumantra Maitra • Emma Ashford • Nevada Joan Lee
Issue Brief
Washington must align ambitious ends with constrained means and proactively embrace an inevitable multipolar world
Zack Cooper • Emma Ashford • Nevada Joan Lee
Field Note
Taiwan touts an asymmetric defense, but outdated thinking and mismanagement of its natural advantages undermine the island’s security
Kelly A. Grieco • Hunter Slingbaum
Field Note
Despite fears of rupture, allies in Asia see business as usual. Yet beneath this continuity lie deeper challenges in burden sharing and regional strategy
Kelly A. Grieco • Hunter Slingbaum
Policy Memo
Exploring the history of the Rio Treaty and why the United States’ first collective security agreement fell into obscurity
Nevada Joan Lee • Christopher Preble
Assessing American Alliances Interactive Map