There is no shortage of conflict around the world. Events in the Mid-East are out of control and getting worse. Russian aggression in Ukraine is unsettling. North Korea is unpredictable, and terrorism remains a significant threat everywhere. The world is a dangerous place these days.
However, the U.S. can, and should, provide the leadership necessary to help maintain global order. It is America’s moral duty to be the leader of the free world. We should not shrink from this role, we should embrace it.
In order to fill this role, the U.S. must have a comprehensive approach to foreign policy. Many failures in foreign policy can be attributed to attempts to resolve problems piecemeal. Good policy starts with good strategy. It needs to include clear goals and objectives, and effective long-term planning – they’re essential to operations and the ability to respond appropriately to problems and crises. Many decisions in foreign policy are made responding to urgent problems. It’s crucial that we have a process in place that leads to responses consistent with our policy, and in a direction towards our goals.
It’s also imperative that we are able to conduct foreign policy from a position of strength. America has, and must have, the strongest military. We should never pick fights, but we must also have the will to use force when needed. It also doesn’t mean we have to get involved in every scrape or solve every problem, but we must act every time our national security is directly affected.
Military action should also be carefully considered whenever it indirectly involves our security, or to protect our vital interests. It may not always be popular, but when necessary it should be utilized. An unwillingness to use force can lead to a vacuum and embolden our enemies.
Vigilance and consistency matter too. The world is always watching – what we do and don’t do. Our allies need to have confidence in our policies and our actions. Our enemies need to know, with a high degree of certainty, that bad behavior will bring a strong response. Predictable use of strength discourages bad behavior. A lack of predictability can lead to deadly miscalculations.
It’s also important that we work in concert with our allies. Our hand is strengthened when we form coalitions with those who share our values and interests. We shouldn’t act alone unless necessary.
The U.S. should also be a proponent of free trade and the global economy. Shared economic interests promote world peace. Conflict is bad for business, and mutually assured economic destruction makes war less likely.
Another of our interests should be democracy. We should be willing to help those who share our ideals and are fighting tyranny or aggression. The nature of our assistance doesn’t need to be military action, there are many ways we can provide support, but the spread of democracy is good for our interests and national security.
The U.S. also needs to act within its values in order to maintain the trust and respect of our allies. We should always strive to be an example to the rest of the world. We have never gone to war over land or treasure, but we should be careful of over-reactions, overreach, and self-righteousness.
War should always be a last resort, and only when there is an attack against us or our allies.
Unless attacked, resolution to foreign policy predicaments should always start with diplomacy. If talks fail, we can increase pressure with sanctions and other non-military actions. The use of force should only be considered when a situation becomes intolerable, and diplomacy won’t work. Having the world’s strongest military allows us to negotiate from a position of strength. But we need to remember that sometimes the threat of military action is our best bargaining chip, not the use of force. The use of armed intervention can stiffen the resolve of our enemies and give political cover to corrupt leaders.
If military action is taken, responses should be in proportion to the scope and importance of the situation, and in harmony with our overarching foreign policy. Even then, diplomatic channels must be kept open and efforts sustained for political solutions and peace.
Conflict is inevitable for the foreseeable future. But effective American foreign policy can keep the forces of evil in check and move the causes of liberty and democracy forward. The need is apparent. The stakes are enormous. We must maintain our preparedness, vigilance, and resolve. Not just for America, but for the world and freedom loving people everywhere.