Is a “Balance of Power” Strategy Irrelevant?

It is possible—though far from certain—that the coming Trump presidency will herald a broad retreat from most of America’s overseas military commitments and actions. In the past, Trump has expressed his skepticism—or, perhaps better said, his irritation—over such commitments, especially to NATO. And while their apparent views are yet to be tested by actual overseas crises, J. D. Vance and Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee as Secretary of Defense, are both said to be disenchanted with America’s “forever wars.”