The security umbrella provided by the US military has helped maintain peace and stability across Asia. US President Donald Trump’s threat to withdraw troops from parts of the region if governments like Seoul and Tokyo refuse to cover more of the costs could dramatically alter the dynamics of power in the western Pacific. See if you get the FT for free as a student (http://ft.com/schoolsarefree) or start a £1 trial: https://subs.ft.com/spa3_trial?segmentId=3d4ba81b-96bb-cef0-9ece-29efd6ef2132
► Check out our Community tab for more stories or to suggest videos.
► Listen to our podcasts: https://www.ft.com/podcasts
► Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financialtimes