The US and NATO have recently intensified their collaborative efforts to counter China's growing influence, viewing NATO as a vital 'bridge' between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions. Through various initiatives, the Biden administration and European allies are aligning strategies to address Beijing's security challenges, including plans for joint programs in AI, cybersecurity, and deterring China alongside Indo-Pacific partners.
While some Indo-Pacific nations are increasingly taking independent actions to confront China's threats, there is recognition of their crucial role in supporting Euro-Atlantic countries in managing challenges posed by both Russia and China. However, concerns over NATO's unity have emerged following visits by leaders like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Moscow and Beijing, indicating potential divisions within the alliance.
The region's re-militarization is also gaining attention, driven by NATO's expanding influence and the formation of new defense agreements among Indo-Pacific countries, shifting priorities from post-Cold War economic prosperity to bolstering military capabilities. Recent joint military exercises between China and Belarus near the Polish border during the NATO summit are seen as deliberate signals to the West, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in the evolving global security landscape.
