Date of Graduation
Fall 2025
Degree
Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies
Department
School of Defense & Strategic Studies
Committee Chair
John Rose
Abstract
The Indo-Pacific is the primary area for Great Power Competition between the United States and China. China’s rapid but cautious rise has allowed it to achieve a position that threatens to upset the norms and rules of the U.S.-led system in the region. The second Trump Administration has pursued an “America First” policy since taking office in January 2025, but pushing U.S. allies to take on more responsibility for their own defense will not be enough. U.S. allies are major regional players and should be trusted to uphold the principles of the current international system; therefore the U.S. must limit its engagements in the region and support a greater role for its allies.
Keywords
great power competition, Indo-Pacific, international relations, United States, China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, ASEAN, alliances
Subject Categories
Defense and Security Studies | International Relations
Copyright
© Nathaniel Benjamin
Recommended Citation
Benjamin, Nathaniel, "Empowering U.S. Allies in the Indo-Pacific: An "America First" Approach to Great Power Competition" (2025). Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 4110.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/4110
