A post-American world order: can rivals build a rules-based future?

Porter argues that Trump-era fractures of the US-led postwar order have spurred Europe and others to seek a ‘third path’ or rely on uncoordinated, transactional alliances. Building a durable liberal, rules-based system without strong US leadership seems unlikely, risking a world split into rival blocs or even a ‘no order’ landscape unless Washington renews its engagement. The piece frames a likely shift from a coherent order to pragmatism and power politics, with China and the US looming as the two poles and varied influence for other states.