The Diplomat
In 2025, the U.S. urged key Asian allies, including South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, to significantly increase their defense budgets to 5 percent of GDP. This request mirrors a historical parallel to the 1950s, when the U.S. pressured NATO countries to raise defense spending in response to Soviet threats. Today, the geopolitical landscape is similarly shaped by the rise of China and the ongoing North Korean challenge, creating comparable strategic imperatives for U.S. allies in Asia.
