STRENGTHENING REGIONAL DETERRENCE
AND REASSURING U.S. ALLIES AND PARTNERS
U.S. allies and partners are on the front lines of
a changing global security environment. Some
are enjoying unprecedented security and accordingly seek an acceleration of efforts to reduce
reliance on nuclear deterrence. Others face new
challenges to their security and look to the
United States for continued partnership in safeguarding their interests. Among their neighbors
are nuclear proliferators, potential smugglers
of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and weak
and failing states. Some also feel the
pressures of neighboring major powers
asserting stronger regional roles, in some
cases by nuclear means.
Accordingly, the United States is fully
committed to strengthening bilateral and
regional security ties and working closely
with its allies and partners to adapt these
relationships to emerging 21st century
requirements. We will continue to assure
our allies and partners of our commitment
to their security and to demonstrate this
commitment not only through words, but also through deeds. This includes the continued
forward deployment of U.S. forces in key regions, strengthening of U.S. and allied non-nuclear
capabilities, and the continued provision of extended deterrence. Such security relationships are
critical not only in deterring potential threats,
but can also serve our non-proliferation goals – by
demonstrating to neighboring states that their pursuit of nuclear weapons will only undermine
their goal of achieving military
or political advantages, and by
reassuring non-nuclear U.S. allies
and partners that their security interests can be
protected without their own nuclear deterrent
capabilities. Further, the United States will work with allies and partners to strengthen the global
non-proliferation regime, especially the implementation of existing commitments within their regions.
