Asia-Pacific Military Spending Hits 16-Year High as Allies Dump $2.89 Trillion Into Defense, Fearing US Will Ditch Them

Asia-Pacific military spending surged to its fastest rate in 16 years in 2025, as a growing number of U.S. allies openly question whether Washington will keep its security promises. Global military expenditure hit a record $2.89 trillion, up 2.9% from 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute [133831].

The spending frenzy reflects a deeper crisis in the U.S.-led alliance system. European and Asian partners are racing to bolster their own defenses after a series of destabilizing moves by President Donald Trump. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, leaders openly questioned whether Washington is a reliable partner, with the cumulative effect of Trump’s statements—from threatening to purchase Greenland to mocking Japan’s prime minister—leaving allies deeply unsettled [57549][132319].

In Europe, reports surfaced that Washington threatened to withdraw troops from Spain, a move that could weaken NATO’s southern flank and further strain trans-Atlantic ties [133075]. Poland’s president openly questioned whether the U.S. would stay loyal to NATO if Russia attacked [132319]. Meanwhile, a Pentagon memo reportedly suggested suspending Spain from the alliance and reviewing U.S. support for the British claim to the Falkland Islands [132319].

In Asia, the picture is equally shaky. Japan and Germany are reshaping their defense strategies, citing growing threats from authoritarian powers and deep uncertainty about U.S. commitments under Trump [132319]. A separate report noted that U.S. officials believe the ongoing war in Iran has depleted American munitions so quickly that it now threatens plans to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion [132319].

The world is shifting toward a "multi-polar age," where multiple nations wield significant global influence, and the old Atlantic alliance is being forced to adapt to a new balance of power [57847]. As one analysis put it, the map of loyalties is changing, and the heartland—the vast Eurasian landmass—remains the central stage for global competition [133833].