America Asked Allies to Do More. They Are Also Preparing for a Less Predictable Washington

Taiwan has proposed an 18% increase in its defense budget for 2027, pushing military spending above 3% of GDP as Chinese military and political pressure grows. The move comes as the United States remains engaged in its six-month war with Iran and has deployed its last aircraft carrier in the western Pacific to the Middle East, temporarily leaving the region without a US carrier presence. Taiwan’s move captures a broader shift underway among America’s allies. For decades, Washington has urged its partners to invest more in their own defense. Many are now doing so, but for reasons that go beyond…