Han Zhaoying, Professor at the Zhou Enlai School of Government at Nankai University, and Li Yuan, a doctoral student at the same School, argue that the United States is transforming its traditional hub-and-spoke alliance system into a more complex ally-partner network. This shift aims to sustain U.S. regional dominance at relatively low cost by leveraging both treaty allies and strategic partners. The emerging structure features stronger horizontal ties among allies, mutually reinforcing cooperation mechanisms, and differentiated nodal roles, with countries such as Japan and Australia acting as sub-hubs.
The authors develop a typological framework based on node composition (intra-alliance vs. extra-alliance) and cooperation domains (security vs. non-security), generating four construction paths: intra-alliance security, intra-alliance issue-based, extra-alliance security, and extra-alliance issue-based networks. Together, these paths expand the network’s scale while increasing its density and coordination, enabling the U.S. to exercise “network power” from a central position.
Across administrations, this network has evolved incrementally. The Obama administration initiated the Pivot to Asia, strengthening bilateral alliances and promoting trilateral mechanisms such as the U.S.–Japan–Australia Strategic Dialogue. The first Trump administration, despite its America First approach, selectively reinforced the network by reviving the Quad and launching the Blue Dot Network, incorporating infrastructure and energy into strategic competition. The Biden administration further systematized this approach, advancing all four paths through initiatives such as AUKUS, the Camp David trilateral (U.S.–Japan–South Korea), and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), while also drawing NATO allies into the Indo-Pacific.
However, the authors highlight a persistent dilemma between investment and reliability. To secure allies and prevent hedging, the U.S. must increase commitments and economic incentives. Yet resource constraints and global pressures often yield insufficient input, limiting sustained partner mobilization. As Donald Trump begins his second term in 2026, he inherits this network structure. While its momentum endures, his transactional approach may lead to more selective engagement, prioritizing short-term gains over comprehensive regional institution-building.
[Authorized Repost]
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