News analysis

America First policy forces others to adapt

In Asia, nuclear proliferation likely as nations react to new reality by beefing up defence

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If it was not clear previously, the past week has made President Donald Trump's America First foreign policy obvious: Put crudely, America will withdraw from and avoid foreign conflicts, especially in the Middle East, and other countries will have to pay if they want America's protection.

The challenge for other countries is to adapt.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 28, 2018, with the headline America First policy forces others to adapt. Subscribe