Indy Standard

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) in urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to take steps to rectify Hawaii’s exclusion from the North Atlantic Treaty as military threats in the Indo-Pacific grow. In a letter to Secretary Blinken, the senators raised concerns about the omission of Hawaii under Article 6 of the Treaty, meaning an armed attack on Hawaii would not be seen as an attack on all NATO countries and therefore not necessitate collective self-defense.

“When the Senate Foreign Relations Committee recommended the Senate ratify the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949, it was with the understanding that overseas territories would not be covered by Article 6,” the senators wrote. “At the time, Hawaii was a U.S. territory and the drafters of the Treaty were reluctant to include all territories of the Treaty Parties under the NATO security umbrella. However, the world has changed significantly since 1949. Not only did Hawaii become a U.S. state, but also, the importance of the Indo-Pacific to U.S. security has increased tremendously."

"Although since 1949, NATO’s footprint has expanded from 12 founding members to 32, the alliance has not accounted for including Hawaii as part of its security framework," they continued. "The alliance also has not accounted for the strategic importance of deterring destabilizing regional conflict or being more responsive and respectful toward Hawaii residents.”

To deter potential future conflict in the Indo-Pacific and protect Hawaii’s residents, as well as U.S. and allied interests, Senators called on State Department to pursue diplomatic measures addressing this issue which could include formally amending North Atlantic Treaty.

“Allies and adversaries alike must understand now before potential hostilities erupt that an attack against Hawaii will be seen as an attack on NATO," stated Senators Young and his colleagues. "Silence on whether NATO allies would come to defense undermines our strategy deterring conflict Indo-Pacific; formally amending treaty clearest most just course action rectify shortcoming."

In addition to Senators Young Schatz Schmitt letter signed by U.S Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.).

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