Others still insist that Japan can become increasingly independent of America's security umbrella, perhaps by building up its own forces, but at the same time remain doveish towards China.

ECONOMIST: Friends and neighbours

He adds that east Europeans, keen on NATO's security umbrella, will never trust joint European defence as long as they have lingering suspicions that it is a French scheme to weaken NATO.

ECONOMIST: France and NATO

Kristensen says that during the Cold War, Japan faced a tough choice between seeking national security under the U.S. nuclear umbrella and telling the public the truth.

NPR: Japan Confirms Secret Nuclear Pacts With U.S.

For another, developed nations that have in the past been willing to entrust their security to the protection of the American nuclear umbrella will probably feel obliged to revisit that decision.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

"The U.S. nuclear umbrella alone is no longer enough to assure our security, " says Defense Minister Yoshinori Ohno.

FORBES: The Front Line

Interestingly, while staff from the Commerce Department have been involved extensively in the construction of the American Trade Consortium umbrella agreement, the U.S. national security community has been totally excluded from its review -- despite the obvious potential implications for U.S. foreign and defense interests that might arise from such an undertaking.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: US-Soviet Joint Ventures: The Camel's Nose Under The Tent

U.S., British and other international forces under the NATO umbrella in Afghanistan bolstered their presence this year to improve security for the recent presidential and provincial elections.

CNN: U.S. commander says Afghan war winnable, new strategy needed