Time to Reassess the Costs of Euro-Atlantic Security

The United States can no longer rely solely on its own capabilities for deterrence and warfighting amid global, interconnected threats and constrained resources. Its ability to project power requires greater reliance on allies’ readiness to address threats and deter Russia and China.

Allied security is deeply affected by developments beyond the NATO Treaty Area and Euro-Atlantic region, highlighting the costs tied to individual and collective interests that extend beyond Europe. A strategic reassessment of transatlantic burden-sharing is also essential to establish a robust cross-theater deterrence ecosystem for Europe and the Indo-Pacific. To achieve this, the United States must clearly articulate its expectations to European allies regarding the Indo-Pacific and leverage their increasing defense engagement with the region. While the United States has stressed in the past political cooperation, resilience building, reducing reliance on China for critical technologies and minerals, and maritime security, it must now enhance collaboration with Europeans in these and other areas including military procurement, advanced technologies, cyber, and space. Intensifying political dialogue and consultations with allies about the China threat is crucial. For Europeans, failing to address China as a challenge now will incur significant costs when it escalates to a threat. This demands a renewed, concerted effort from the United States to heighten awareness within the alliance and bolster ally contributions to deterring China, thereby mitigating future financial, political, and strategic costs.

Anna M. Dowd is senior international/defense researcher and Stephen J. Flanagan is an adjunct senior fellow at RAND, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution. This article is published courtesy of RAND.