What's happened
A US report warns that structural flaws in intelligence sharing, coalition planning, and arms sales hinder effective multinational cooperation against China. The findings highlight risks of miscoordination, which could enable China to dominate East Asia and threaten regional stability, especially amid rising tensions and military pressures on Taiwan.
What's behind the headline?
The report exposes critical vulnerabilities in US-led alliances that threaten regional stability. The US’s bureaucratic delays and rigid regulatory frameworks hinder timely arms sales and intelligence sharing, reducing trust among allies. This disjointed coordination risks a scenario where China exploits these gaps, consolidating regional dominance. The emphasis on reforming alliance systems and fostering a cultural shift within US defense institutions is essential. Without decisive action, the US risks losing strategic advantage, potentially waking up to a world where traditional allies and neutral countries align against it. The report underscores that effective multilateral cooperation is no longer optional but a strategic imperative to counter China's patient, long-term grey-zone tactics and military buildup. The next steps must include streamlining bureaucratic processes, enhancing trust, and integrating allies into a cohesive defense posture. Failure to do so will likely result in a more fragmented and vulnerable regional security environment, with China gaining the upper hand.
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post emphasizes the structural flaws in US alliances, warning of potentially catastrophic consequences if reforms are not implemented. It highlights bureaucratic inertia, delays in arms transfers, and trust issues among allies, which China could exploit to strengthen its regional dominance. Conversely, the article from Bloomberg focuses on the strategic importance of Taiwan and the broader Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the need for the US to bolster its regional presence and support Taiwan’s defense capabilities. It underscores the risks of Taiwan’s economic and military vulnerabilities, especially amid China's increased military pressure and grey-zone tactics. Both sources agree on the importance of alliance reform but differ in focus: the SCMP stresses systemic US issues, while Bloomberg highlights Taiwan’s strategic role and the immediate need for military preparedness. The South China Morning Post also discusses the broader geopolitical context, including the US’s strained relations with allies and the importance of a unified response to China’s long-term strategy. The Bloomberg article provides a more tactical perspective, emphasizing military readiness and technological cooperation, especially in the semiconductor sector, which is crucial for Taiwan’s economic security and regional stability.
How we got here
The report stems from interviews and discussions with over 100 officials and experts across Europe and the Indo-Pacific, conducted between June 2024 and March 2025. It highlights longstanding issues in US-led coalition efforts, including bureaucratic inertia, overclassification, and slow arms transfers, which undermine collective security in the face of China's assertiveness and military expansion in the region.
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