; (2) enhance cooperation with G5 Sahel Joint Force countries, which are— (A) Burkina Faso; (B) Mali; (C) Mauritania; (D) Niger; and (E) Chad; (3) continue to support the efforts of each G5 Sahel Joint Force country— (A) to improve security along the respective borders of each country through the cooperation and deployment of joint patrols to interdict the cross-border flows of illicit trafficking and violent extremist groups; (B) to address underlying sources of instability in each country through a whole-of-government approach; and (C) to build and sustain in each country— (i) an effective, accountable government; (ii) a capable and professional military; and (iii) a healthy economy; and (4) ensure that any assistance of the United States to a G5 Sahel Joint Force country is undertaken as a whole-of-government effort that balances all instruments of United States national power. 1268. Sense of Congress on broadening and expanding strategic partnerships and allies It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States is an ally-rich country and our potential competitors, such as Russia, China, and North Korea, are ally-poor countries; (2) United States allies and partners are critical to defending peace and prosperity throughout the world; (3) the rules-based international order supported by the United States and its allies has ensured, and will continue to promote, an international system that benefits all nations; (4) throughout the world, the United States will continue to foster relationships with countries with like minds and beliefs; (5) as the United States manages multiple strategic challenges, the enduring strength of the United States remains in alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Rio Treaty, and mutual defense treaties with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and Thailand