Sec. 1284. Sense of Congress on reaffirming strategic partnerships and allies
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Congress makes the following findings: Since World War II, the United States has sought partnership and cooperation in establishing a rules-based international order which has resulted in one of the most prosperous periods of human history. The United States is signatory to seven mutual defense treaties with 56 different countries. One of the United States defense alliances is the 29-nation-strong North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)which is celebrating its 68th anniversary. The United States has not faced a more diverse and complex array of crises and threats, including the emergence of competitors like Russia and China, increasingly unstable threats from North Korea and Iran, and the continued threat from transnational violent extremist groups like the Islamic State and al–Qaeda. The strain of a decreased military budget has decreased capability at precisely the time when demand for United States military strength has increased. Fifteen years of continuous war has stymied military modernization, focused training on asymmetrical warfare over large-scale conflicts. Secretary of Defense James Mattis stated that alliances provide avenues for peace, fostering the conditions for economic growth with countries that share the same vision, while tempering the plans of those who would attack other nations or try to impose their will over the less powerful . It is the sense of Congress that— the United States is an ally rich nation and our potential competitors—such as Russia, China, and North Korea—are ally poor; United States allies and partners are critical to defending peace and prosperity throughout the world; the rules-based international order supported by the United States and its allies has ensured—and will continue to promote—an international system that benefits all nations; throughout the world, the United States will continue to foster relationships with nations of like minds and beliefs; as the United States manages multiple strategic challenges, our enduring strength remains in alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; and the United States will continue to deepen alliances and expand them, and will take no ally for granted.