Eau Clare, Wi. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – We are in an age of firsts. The October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel set off a chain of events that would ultimately lead to the United States joining its allies in the Persian Gulf War. As tensions escalated in the region, the U.S. found itself faced with a critical decision that would have far-reaching implications for both national security and international relations.
On 11 March, Iran, Russia, and China launched the fourth iteration of their four-day annual trilateral naval exercises. According to Iranian reports, the exercises were aimed at enhancing cooperation and coordination among the three countries. This display of unity among U.S. adversaries only served to underscore the importance of the United States' alliances in the region.
The U.S. is increasingly seen by some of its allies as acting both counter-productively and unilaterally in striking Houthi targets in Yemen. This unilateral action raised concerns among key allies in the region, prompting the U.S. to reevaluate its approach to regional conflicts and the importance of coalition building.
This article, which examines Argentina's approach to Ukraine and China, is part of an ongoing series on U.S. statecraft and the Global South. As the U.S. sought to strengthen its alliances in the wake of the Persian Gulf War, it became clear that building partnerships with countries outside of traditional alliances was crucial to maintaining stability in the region.
While the U.S.–Israel alliance has become isolated, new ones are emerging. The shifting dynamics of alliances in the Middle East highlighted the need for the United States to adapt its foreign policy to align with changing geopolitical realities.
Atlantic Council experts share their insights about the strikes and about what to expect next—including how Iran might respond. The United States' decision to engage in military action in the Persian Gulf prompted a range of responses from key players in the region, further underscoring the complex web of alliances and rivalries at play.
BRICS is alluring to aspiring members precisely because it does not require them to commit to an alliance. The rise of alternative power structures like BRICS posed a challenge to the traditional alliances that the United States had relied on for decades, forcing a reassessment of U.S. foreign policy in the region.
The Sino-Russian relationship has become a more intractable problem for the transatlantic alliance. The West should continue to concentrate on building and strengthening alliances in the face of growing competition from other global powers.
It is often said that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded in response to the threat posed by the Soviet Union. The Persian Gulf War served as a reminder of the importance of collective defense and mutual security agreements in the face of common adversaries.
