Military alliances are changing the way countries interact and deal with each other. Here’s how they’re doing it:

1. Working Together for Defense:

   • Groups like NATO show how countries can defend each other. If one member is attacked, it’s like an attack on everyone. This idea has made countries think twice before being aggressive, especially countries like Russia. After Russia took Crimea in 2014, NATO strengthened its defenses in Eastern Europe.

2. Building Strong Partnerships:

   • The U.S. is strengthening its friendships with allies like Japan and South Korea, especially in the Indo-Pacific area. The Quad alliance, which includes the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia, works together to balance China’s power in the region.

3. Spending on Defense:

   • NATO countries aim to spend at least 2% of their money (GDP) on defense. As of 2021, only 10 out of 30 countries reached this goal. This shows that some countries need to step up their military readiness.

4. Flexible Strategies:

   • China is trying to create alliances through its Belt and Road Initiative. This program focuses on building economic ties, which helps with military access and securing important trade routes. China is making agreements with countries in Africa and the South Pacific.

5. Increased Tensions:

   • Military alliances can create more tension between countries. For example, the AUKUS agreement between the U.S., UK, and Australia is seen by China as a big threat. This has increased worries about security in the region.

In short, military alliances are very important. They shape how countries protect themselves, how much they spend on their armies, and they change how power is distributed among major countries.