Focus on the home front
Use persuasion and diplomacy to make us more secure
Use our power to promote stability
The United States can't solve all of the world's problems and we shouldn't try. We're overstretched and over-committed around the world. We need to worry about problems at home first, including protecting our jobs and homeland security. The best way to keep the U.S. secure is to focus much more on what we can do right here at home and less on trying to fix problems worldwide. We need to play stronger defense: tighten rules on immigration and border security to keep terrorists and criminals out of the country, achieve energy independence so we're not dependent on foreign oil, and make trade agreements that protect American jobs instead of sending them abroad.
The United States' influence is enormous, but in recent years we've relied too much on our military to get our way. This aggressive strategy has entangled us in two wars and, as a result, ourmilitary is spread way too thin. Even worse, the war in Iraq and our treatment of prisoners in the war on terrorism has hurt our image abroad. But there are lots of other ways we can influence the world, one that is still dominated by American products, entertainment and values. We should use these "soft power" tools of economics and culture to build a more secure world.
We live in a dangerous world, and the United States is the only nation with the clout to provide international leadership and ensure global stability. The threat of terrorism means we're not at risk just from hostile countries but also from fanatical groups. In addition, civil wars, ethnic violence and a host of deteriorating political situations could spiral out of control, engulfing our allies and threatening our interests. We're the world's military and economic superpower and we need to use our power to promote stability and prevent chaos worldwide. Sometimes, but not always, that's going to mean using military force to protect our interests. And sometimes, but not always, that's going to mean acting alone to solve problems the world is unwilling to face.
Focus on the home front
Use persuasion and diplomacy to make us more secure
Use our power to promote stability
What should be done?
Scale back overseas commitments and make domestic needs our main concern
Get out of Iraq and Afghanistan as soon as we can. Do only what is necessary militarily to prevent attacks on the U.S., prevent nuclear proliferation, deter terrorism and deal with direct threats to U.S. interests
Tighten border security to keep criminals and terrorists out of the country.
Stop trying to remake other countries into democracies. It's enough as long as countries are peaceful and not hostile to us
Increase domestic oil production and cut down on consumption so we can be energy independent
Set a good example as a strong, fair, effective and humane democracy. That will be more effective in spreading democracy than trying to make other countries do things the way we do
Rely on diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions to bring troublesome governments into line
Increase foreign aid to the world's neediest countries, and expand our commitment to international disaster relief
Join with other countries to find a real solution to world environmental problems, like energy and global warming
Put more diplomatic pressure on Israel and the Palestinians to reach a peace accord
Maintain lines of communication with all kinds of governments and groups worldwide, even those that oppose us
Revamp our public diplomacy efforts to spread our message of democracy, free markets and human rights worldwide
Close the Guantanamo Bay detention center and either try the prisoners in civilian courts or release them
Maintain a military strong enough to fight two wars simultaneously and to act alone, if need be
Use economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure and military force on countries that support terrorism or try to acquire nuclear weapons
Strengthen and expand U.S. alliances around the world to extend our influence abroad and to maintain stability
Be prepared to cooperate with undemocratic regimes when necessary to protect our interests and promote stability
Commit as much money and as many troops as needed to build Iraq and Afghanistan into stable democracies
Continue to take firm measures against terrorism, including maintaining the Guantanamo Bay prison and trying suspected terrorists before military tribunals
Arguments For This Approach
We can't force democracy on other countries, and we've spent too many lives and too much money trying to do it. If we cut back on global military commitments, we keep our troops out of harm’s way and save money as well. We may actually improve our image worldwide
Because we import so much of our energy, our economy is dependent on countries that are unstable, or worse, hostile to us.
Our open borders and ineffective immigration laws allow almost anyone to come in without being challenged. Why are we fighting wars overseas to protect ourselves when our own borders are so poorly defended?
Our needs at home are urgent and require more resources than we currently devote. We need to focus on domestic problems, like education, health care and the economy.
We've got a poor image abroad, and one reason is that we spend too much time involved in other countries' problems. If we mind our own business, we'll give other countries less of a reason to hate us.
Our image abroad has suffered over the last few years, in part because of the war in Iraq. More foreign aid and better public diplomacy could help turn this around.
By reducing hatred of the U.S. overseas, we're changing the attitudes that allow anti-American terrorists to thrive. People in other countries may not like terrorism any better than we do, but they're not going to stick their necks out for a country they don't like
Most of the problems we face can't be solved by acting alone. All countries have to work together to address global warming, for example, and we need the help of other nations to chase down terrorists.
We need to maintain channels of communication, even with countries that hate us. After all, you don't need to negotiate with your friends.
Energy is traded in global markets, and the best way of making sure we have enough is to have good relations with countries that supply it to us
The United States successfully used its power to put communism in retreat worldwide. We now need to do the same with the threats of terrorism and religious authoritarianism
Diplomacy is important, but other countries may not have our interests at heart. We can't withdraw from the world, but we also can't allow other countries to dictate what the United States will and won't do.
The only way the world will be safer for Americans is if we take strong action to make it so.
Terrorists are ruthless and can't be negotiated away. We need to take a hard line and attack them wherever they may be. This is no time to worry about legal technicalities or the rights of people who want to destroy us.
If we withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan before stability is intact, we'll be in worse shape than before. Our own defeat will embolden our enemies and make us more vulnerable.
Arguments Against This Approach
We need to fight terrorists and dangerous regimes over there, rather than wait for them to come here.
We can't hide from the rest of the world. It has become a global marketplace, whether we like it or not, and America's success in it requires worldwide stability.
We can't leave Iraq and Afghanistan until stable governments are established there. If we do, hostile governments might take over and we'll be in worse shape than we are now.
If the U.S. isn't prepared to defend democracy and human rights around the world, local tyrants will have their way and fledgling democracies will be crushed.
Rich nations like the U.S. have a moral obligation to come to the assistance of poor nations when they need humanitarian aid.
Some countries, like some people, can't be reasoned with. It's naïve to think we can talk our way out of all of our problems, and this approach could actually result in us appeasing dangerous governments.
Diplomacy doesn't mean much unless you can back it up with military might.
We have plenty of problems here at home. The money we spend on foreign aid should be used to help needy people here
Our tough stance on terrorism is vital to defending the country, and as a result, we haven’t been attacked since September 11. We can't let up when we face fanatical groups that want to destroy us
It’s just not prudent to keep relying on global markets when it comes to energy. The world is far too unstable, and prices are soaring. We need to take control of this by making ourselves more energy independent.
Our military is already overstretched in Iraq and Afghanistan – even if we wanted to, we don't have the resources to take on more military actions.
Our use of force in Iraq especially has been counterproductive. We’ve lost the respect of people worldwide by attacking a country that did not pose an immediate threat to us.
No country is strong enough to remake the world on its own. Not only is it impossible, but it also alienates potential allies and makes us look like a bully.
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