Alliances are particular manifestations of group multilateralism tying together big powers and other countries with commitments of mutual assistance. NATO’s 26 members include four big powers; the EU incorporating the former WEU assistance clause involves Britain, France and Germany; Russia has concluded a defense alliance with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (though its real effectiveness is somewhat in doubt); the US has bilateral security treaties with Japan and South Korea and a trilateral agreement (The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty, ANZUS) with Australia and New Zealand (though the US suspended its obligations vis-à-vis New Zealand in 1996).