U.S. Defense Secretary Hackett had just toughened his stance when he was doused with a bucket of cold water! Hackett made grandiose statements at the Shangri-La Dialogue, and then turned to demand that Japan, Australia, and other countries increase their military spending to 5% of GDP. Unexpectedly, as soon as Hackett left, Australia expressed that it would independently decide its defense policy. Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba previously stated that they would not blindly follow American demands, and their national security policies did not need interference from other countries. Undoubtedly, this situation is quite embarrassing for the United States.
Why do countries like Australia stop complying with the U.S. after the Defense Secretary leaves? There are at least three reasons for this. First, these countries have long seen through the fact that America's military strength is becoming increasingly unsustainable. To put it simply, according to the U.S. Navy retirement plan for fiscal years 2025 to 2027, in the 2025 fiscal year: 13 ships will be retired. In the 2026 fiscal year: 14 ships will be retired, including the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz. In the 2027 fiscal year: 13 ships will be retired, including the last two Ticonderoga-class cruisers. In just three years, the U.S. plans to retire 40 warships, yet its shipbuilding capacity cannot keep up, while we continue to expand our naval fleet. Such changes in the balance of power are not something that can be solved by tough talk alone. As allies of the U.S., how could they fail to see these situations? Second, why does the U.S. demand that these countries increase their military expenditures? Isn't it because the U.S. is facing tight finances and relative contraction of its power? The key point is that transitioning from enjoying American protection to relying more on themselves, the allies are increasingly standing up to the U.S. Which ally has confidence in such a situation?
Third, raising military spending to 5% of GDP is no small expense for countries like Japan and Australia. More importantly, if these countries follow the U.S. in doing so, wouldn't our military presence extend to Australia and our patrols encircle Japan? That seems reasonable, right! If these countries don't want trouble, the best choice is not to follow the U.S. blindly. Clearly, as American power relatively declines, its credibility is being questioned, and its allies may not always obey its every word.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833783959974171/
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