# Middle Powers Gain AI Leverage

> U.S. allies can secure AI access by hosting data centers.
- Title: Middle Powers Gain AI Leverage · Foreign Policy | Shortify
- Summary: U.S. allies can secure AI access by hosting data centers. U.S. democratic allies can gain guaranteed access to frontier AI systems by hosting U.S. data…
- Keywords: data centers, middle powers, ai race, compute, frontier ai, us allies, ai security, anthropic, openai, gulf, Middle, Powers
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/10/08/leverage-middle-powers-ai-race
- Author: Sam Winter-Levy, Anton Leicht
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: ai, data centers, us, middle powers, ai race, compute, frontier ai, us allies, ai security, anthropic, openai, gulf
## U.S. AI Access Restrictions
The White House asked Anthropic and OpenAI to withhold early access to their latest systems from the British government’s AI Security Institute.
## Middle Powers at Risk
U.S. allies face limited access to frontier AI systems as Washington restricts access for its closest intelligence partner.
## U.S. Data Center Buildout
Four U.S. tech companies will spend over $700 billion on AI infrastructure this year, or about 2 percent of U.S. GDP.
## U.S. AI Dominance
The United States now has more data center capacity than the next 1:14 countries combined, with China hosting only about a fifth as much computing power.
## Security Concerns
U.S. governments restrict access to frontier AI models due to security concerns, limiting allies’ ability to compete in the AI race.
## Compute Shortfall
The surging demand for AI computing is outpacing data center buildout, causing rationing that favors non-American consumers.
## Chinese Models Risk
European and Asian democracies face risks from Chinese open-source AI models, with no guarantee of continued access.
## U.S. Data Center Backlash
3 in 4 Americans oppose data center construction nearby, including two-thirds of Republicans and around 80 percent of Democrats.
## U.S. Data Center Challenges
U.S. grid capacity and energy constraints are tightening, with order books for gas turbines backlogged by years.
## U.S. Gulf Strategy
The Trump administration’s Gulf strategy faces setbacks after Iranian drone swarms hit Amazon data centers in the UAE and Bahrain.
## Allies Offer Leverage
Five Eyes partners like Australia can offer cheap solar power and land, while Germany provides decommissioned industrial sites with grid connections.
## Tax Revenue Opportunity
Loudoun County, Virginia, collects $1.3 billion annually in county taxes from ai data centers, or about $2,800 per resident.
## Contractual Leverage
U.S. allies can demand contractual assurances for guaranteed access to frontier ai models at the same time as in the United States.
## Enforcement Mechanism
Hosting data centers gives allies the ability to impose costs if the relationship sours, such as reducing energy access or withdrawing permits.
## U.S. Political Will
The Trump administration prioritizes sustaining the U.S. lead over China on AI and keeping the stock market rally alive.
## Allies’ Strategic Position
U.S. allies can secure guaranteed access to frontier ai systems by hosting data centers, creating a mutual benefit for both sides.
## Key takeaway

U.S. democratic allies can gain guaranteed access to frontier AI systems by hosting U.S. data centers, which require reliable power and governance.