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.

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.

Trump's running mate, Gov. Mike Pence, was on the defensive early Thursday, telling Fox News that he is confident the Republican nominee would stand by America's NATO allies, but insisted that those countries "must pay their fair share."

Pence added that a Trump administration would tell U.S. allies "the time has come for them and for their citizens to begin to carry the financial costs of these international obligations."

Trump also told The Times that he would not criticize Turkey for cracking down on political opponents and restricting civil liberties following last week's attempted coup.