CNN – Sweden recently became the newest member of NATO, joining 31 nations in the security alliance which includes the United States, however, there is an interesting exclusion. The 50th state of the United States, Hawaii, is not actually covered by the NATO pact due to a geographic technicality.
The Washington Treaty, which established NATO in 1949, includes an exception that limits the geographical scope of the alliance. The treaty specifies that an armed attack against one or more parties is considered to include an attack against the territory of any party in Europe or North America. This means that Hawaii, located in the Pacific, falls outside the coverage of the alliance.
While the exclusion of Hawaii from NATO may have made sense historically, some experts argue that the current geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific region warrants a reconsideration. With US military bases in Hawaii playing a strategic role in countering North Korean aggression and potentially supporting the defense of Taiwan, the exclusion of Hawaii from NATO could create a gap in the alliance’s deterrence capabilities.
John Hemmings, director of the Pacific Forum’s Indo-Pacific Foreign and Security Policy Program, emphasizes the strategic importance of including Hawaii and Guam, another US Pacific island territory, under the NATO umbrella. This would not only enhance deterrence against potential threats but also strengthen the ties between the US and its democratic allies in the region.
Despite the technicality in the NATO treaty, analysts believe that in the event of an attack on Hawaii or Guam, the strong and enduring ties between the United States and its allies would supersede any legal limitations. A coalition of regional allies would likely come together to support the US in defending its territories, reflecting the deep commitment to collective security among NATO members.
NATO’s response to various global challenges, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the increasing threats from China, highlights the unity and solidarity of the alliance. While the exclusion of Hawaii from NATO may present a strategic gap, experts believe that the collective will and commitment of the US and its allies would prevail in the face of any potential threats to sovereign US territory.