The United States cannot build enough ships and weapons on its own, so it is asking allies South Korea and Australia to help manufacture military equipment instead of simply purchasing it from American companies.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed a new mutual-defense pact, but each country sees itself as the senior partner, and none has enough leverage to settle the ranking.
In August 2026, Chinese and Russian navies ran joint military drills in the Pacific, showing how closely they cooperate without a formal defense pact obligating either to fight for the other.
The Trump administration has cut back joint military exercises with South Korea, a training program that has underpinned their alliance for decades, and experts say South Korea sees it as a sign, not just a scheduling change.