TOKYO — Democracies in Asia that rely on the backstop of US military power for their prosperity are facing a new reality: US security is no longer enough as China counters the US in areas such as advanced missiles and naval hardware .
To deal with the problem, Beijing’s neighbors, with encouragement from the US and help from Europe, are building a network of regional security ties with a goal similar to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization: containing a large nation whose growing ambitions have raised the prospect of Has given of struggle.