Ever
since 1945, the US has regarded itself as the leader of the “free
world”. But the Obama administration is facing an unexpected and
unwelcome development in global politics. Four of the biggest and most
strategically important democracies in the developing world – Brazil,
India, South Africa and Turkey – are increasingly at odds with American
foreign policy. Rather than siding with the US on the big international
issues, they are just as likely to line up with authoritarian powers
such as China and Iran.