The Benefits and Challenges of International Alliances

At their most basic, international alliances are relationships among states that give them the power to work together to address common problems. Whether it is through militaries or diplomatic groups, the existence of such alliances has profound impacts on the world.

Regardless of their specific purpose, these relationships can catalyze national strategy by increasing military capabilities through the sharing of resources (e.g., intelligence-sharing, reciprocal access or basing; multinational and joint forces); driving economic benefits through mutual trade, investment, and research and development; or strengthening political-strategic postures through mutual commitments and shared agendas. Moreover, they allow for group efforts at a scale and pace that individual states cannot achieve on their own. Examples of this include the AUKUS partnership between Italy, Japan and the UK, or the European Space Agency’s building of multinational capabilities such as its Copernicus Earth observation satellite constellation.

As these arrangements have evolved over time, their utility has become increasingly apparent. In particular, they can provide a security umbrella that helps countries deal with global challenges and threats ranging from the spread of nuclear weapons to terrorism.

Despite the obvious benefits, such alliances are not without their challenges. They can lead to tensions if members feel their national interests are at risk or if they believe that the full burden of allied responsibilities is not being fully discharged. This is especially true when the alliance focuses on operations far from the home countries of its members.