How the war in Ukraine is reshaping America’s global alliances

By Anton La Guardia: Diplomatic editor, The Economist, Washington, DC

AMERICA, IT IS sometimes said, has allies; China and Russia have only clients. Most countries hover uncomfortably between the two camps. For President Joe Biden, the unrivalled network of alliances and partnerships is America’s “most important strategic asset” in a growing contest with big rivals. That is a big change from his predecessor, Donald Trump, who regarded most allies as freeloaders.