With Trump's return, U.S. allies need Plan B for security

TOKYO -- This year's U.S. presidential election may have been among the most consequential since World War II in terms of its implications for whether the world can avoid a third global war.

The atmosphere at international security conferences has grown increasingly tense. Conversation on the sidelines, such as at coffee breaks, has often turned to the risk of a third world war, generally following along these lines: If Donald Trump were elected again, U.S. military support for Ukraine would be halted, forcing Kyiv to accept a cease-fire on Russia's terms. That would embolden Moscow to challenge NATO, worsening tensions in Europe.