India, Dec. 28 -- The Trump administration's approach to foreign policy has, in capitals across the world, triggered fear, anger and above all confusion about direction and methods. The "deconstruction" has been easy to see, with the absorption of USAID into State, the recalling of Ambassadors and more.

With the release of the National Security Strategy, and a detailed look at how one key relationship is being handled, we might now be able to start to see what the "reconstruction" looks like. And, if it's an indication of things to come, some capitals-not including Beijing-might be less worried.

On December 23, the United States and Palau signed a series of agreements that give insight into how Washington is looking at, as the recently ...