Deterrence in retreat: Asia's security architecture faces its Trump test

As US military power and reach fray, allies fear they may be left stranded

Michael Vatikiotis

June 18, 2025 05:05 JST

U.S. and South Korean soldiers take part in a joint river-crossing exercise as a part of the annual Freedom Shield joint military training, near the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea in Yeoncheon, South Korea, on March 20, 2025. © Reuters

Michael Vatikiotis is a writer and international conflict mediator. He is the author of several books on Asian politics. The views expressed here are his own.

For much of the past three decades, Asian peace and security has been grounded in a credible extended deterrence umbrella provided by the U.S. The embrace by President Donald Trump's administration of the "America First" agenda, which calls for reduced U.S. involvement overseas and for allies to pay for and contribute more for their defense, is tugging at this extended deterrence.