Us Mutual Defense Agreements

Beyond NATO, the decline of a US bilateral defence agreement with Taiwan in 1979 shows this problem. For more than 20 years, the U.S. maintained an agreement with Taiwan, but the Carter government unilaterally terminated the agreement after the U.S. restored diplomatic relations with China. In theory, it is possible for a treaty to limit in advance the ability of the parties to withdraw unilaterally from the agreement. The inclusion of a condition requiring significant prior notice prior to termination of the contract could help the other party to adapt its deterrence in another way and preserve it in another way. But the termination of the treaty with Taiwan by the United States is a reminder that defense contracts, while a legal obligation, offer security only as long as there is enough political will to maintain them. .