The liberal international order is not falling apart. However, one must also ask what exactly the “liberal international order” is.

Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the INF is mostly motivated by fear of China.

It is in its own best interests and that of the world for the US to remain in the INF treaty and make efforts to resolve its differences with Russia.

Withdrawing from the INF and pursuing an arms race will gain the US neither friends nor security.

Doug Bandow explains how expanding the INF Treaty to Asia would benefit U.S. – Russian cooperation and dampen geopolitical and military tension over territorial issues. While China might initially be wary of joining such an effort due to concerns with Taiwanese independence, a new arms control regime would ultimately offer Beijing significant benefits as well.