The strategic convergence emerging in the Indo-Pacific signifies a notable transformation in the regional security architecture, reflecting both a response to the shifting geopolitical balance and a reassessment of existing alliance structures. However, this convergence represents a transitional phase rather than a conclusive or optimal configuration. The prevailing security arrangements among the United States and its Indo-Pacific allies remain incomplete and fragmented. Unlike the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which institutionalizes mutual defense commitments and centralized military coordination, the Indo-Pacific lacks binding defense obligations among regional partners and a central command structure for multilateral operations. Coordination exists, but it remains sporadic and lacks the regularized planning processes essential for rapid and cohesive responses to regional threats. The absence of mutual defense obligations among

US allies in the region such as Australia, Japan and the Philippines undermines the potential for a unified and effective deterrence posture. While each state maintains bilateral agreements with the United States, the failure to establish inter-allied obligations results in a fragmented network lacking urgency and strategic depth. In this context, the establishment of a collective defense pact focused on these three strategically aligned states offers a pragmatic path forward.

Rath