Is the US Losing its Asian Allies?

The war in Iran and Trump's subsequent rhetoric regarding allies in the Asia-Pacific has sparked concern in Japan and South Korea that the US may not be a reliable security partner going forward. So how could they respond in the future?

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Sources:

Trump lambasts South Korea, Japan, Australia: https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2026/apr/07/trump-lashes-out-at-australia-japan-and-south-korea-for-not-helping-in-iran-war-video

South Korea polling on US alliance and security: https://asaninst.org/data/file/s1_6_1/f15af67c43af11afd7a990dc4f32fd2b_YCo2Hyhs_9e35fef668583e57244d7136e92300f4c9712d7f.pdf

South Korea seeking operational control of military: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/south-korea-lee-jae-myung-wartime-command-transfer-selective-conscription-6020741

Japan frustrated at US amid China feud: https://www.ft.com/content/bf8b5def-db4d-43ac-91cf-bea5fcfa3189 https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2026/02/japans-takaichi-cements-conservative-agenda/

Trump’s Pearl Harbor comment: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/22/surprise-embarrassment-unease-japan-pearl-harbor-00839369

Japan’s communication with Iran: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/west-wing-playbook-remaking-government/2026/03/30/japans-quiet-line-to-tehran-00850984

Japan’s Tomahawk order disrupted: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-03/japan-s-order-for-hundreds-of-tomahawk-missiles-delayed-by-us-use-in-iran-war

US National Security and Defense Strategies, downgrading China: https://www.cfr.org/articles/the-white-house-is-abandoning-its-indo-pacific-partners https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf https://media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23/2003864773/-1/-1/0/2026-NATIONAL-DEFENSE-STRATEGY.PDF

Albanese talks to Li Qiang: https://x.com/AlboMP/status/2041450360569737247?s=20

Marcos Jr on need for restructuring of relations with China: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5DOzofqmWc https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/other/marcos-very-serious-restructuring-of-relations-with-china-certainly-going-to-happen/ar-AA1ZkYS8