Hawaii is only U.S. state not covered by NATO defense agreement
Sweden joins NATO, but Hawaii excluded due to historical exception; discussions arise on its strategic importance and potential threats.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
Sweden has recently become the newest member of NATO, joining the 31 existing nations in the security alliance. However, it is noteworthy that Hawaii is not covered by the NATO pact due to a geographical and historical exception. This exclusion has raised discussions, especially amid changing political dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region where potential threats to Hawaii and the need for defense of territories like Taiwan are becoming more prominent. Some experts argue that Hawaii’s strategic importance and historical significance, as well as Guam’s similar strategic value, warrant a reconsideration of their inclusion under NATO’s security umbrella. Despite these technicalities, analysts believe that in the event of an attack on Hawaii or Guam, the strong ties among the US and its democratic allies would likely lead to a unified response possibly through a “coalition of the willing,” showcasing the enduring commitment of NATO members to support the US and uphold collective security principles.