1、INTRODUCTIONThe rise of China and Beijings aggressiveness have alarmed countries across Asia.1 This growing fearseen in Austra-lia,India,Japan,the Philippines,South Korea,Taiwan,and other statesrepresents an opportunity for the United States to solidify,and build on,its partnerships in the region.Ch
2、inas advancements in its military capabilities,par-ticularly in the Indo-Pacific region,demand a coordinated response;no single nation can effectively manage this challenge alone.Indeed,close ties to allies and partners are a notable U.S.competitive advantage compared with China.2 These nations prov
3、ide basing and access for U.S.forces,help deter aggressors,and ensure there is strong support in the face of Chinese economic coercion.They are often at the cutting edge of a range of defense-related innovations,such as directed energy weapons that use concentrated electromagnetic energy,rather than
4、 kinetic energy,to destroy targets,and advanced semiconductors.3 Should war break out,they would do much of the fightingand the dying.Most U.S.operational plans include a major role for allies and partners,providing for basing,access,pre-positioning,logistics,and coalition operations.Pro-tecting all
