Trump hedges on NATO protection against Russian aggression

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican nominee Donald Trump hinted at a new world order if he becomes president, saying the United States, under his leadership, might not come to the defense of some NATO members if Russia were to attack them.

Trump said he would decide whether to protect the Baltic republics against Russian aggression based on whether those countries "have fulfilled their obligations to us."

He made the comments in an interview with The New York Times on Wednesday, ahead of his speech to formally accept the Republican nomination for president late Thursday. Trump's remarks about U.S. obligations under NATO to come to the aid of other members of the 28-nation alliance are in line with his views questioning the United States' global role.

In 2014, the 28-member alliance created a rapid-reaction force to protect the most vulnerable NATO members against a confrontation with Russia. Last week, President Barack Obama pledged unwavering commitment to defending Europe, adding that "in good times and in bad, Europe can count on the United States."

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance of European and North American democracies created after World War II to strengthen international cooperation as a counter-balance to the rise of the Soviet Union.