How President Trump threatens the world order

Though power has flowed from West to East in recent years, the United States remains a lynchpin of the world order. The election of Donald Trump, a candidate with no political experience and extreme views, is a profound shock to that order, especially if – like us, in Britain – you live in a part of the world which depends on US military muscle. Douglas Murray is relaxed about this prospect, but his argument is based almost entirely on ignoring Trump’s most radical remarks (his astonishing attack on Hispanic judges, for example) and a baffling willingness to believe that Trump means nothing of what he says.  

Nato, described by Trump as ‘obsolete’, may not crumble, but faith in Article V, its mutual defence clause, has already been eroded. This changes the psychological balance of power between Russia and Europe, in ways that obviate Russia’s need to even use force. Many central and southern European countries will push for greater accommodation to Moscow, and it will come at the expense of the sovereignty and freedom of those, like the Baltic states, who thought they could count on the West’s most basic institutions.