Power and Perceptions: How Allies View America’s Reputation and Prioritisation After Ukraine

CSDS POLICY BRIEF • 16/2023

By Tongfi Kim and Luis Simón

31.05.2023

Allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific pay attention to how the security commitments and engagement of the United States (US) in each other’s region affect their own security. While they tend to see US resolve to stand by any ally or partner positively – “reputation” –, they weigh that against their interest in having Washington putting their own region first – “prioritisation”. Concerns about prioritisation typically outweigh considerations about reputation when allies perceive a relative decline in US military power or if their regional security environment worsens. The recent war in Ukraine has again sparked allied concerns about the US “reputation vs. prioritisation” dynamic, even though Russia’s military underperformance has so far mitigated against the acuteness of such concerns. The duration, outcome and result of the war in Ukraine will impinge on allied perceptions of the US’ reputation vs. prioritisation trade-off. Greater cross-regional collaboration can help allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific better manage the trade-off and maintain the engagement of the US.

CSDS Policy brief_2316.pdf (335.05 KB)

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