Public Agenda Issue Guide: America's Global Role

Citizens

are confronted with serious issues every minute of the day. Grasping the underlying issues from the headlines is a difficult task. Give us ten minutes a day and we will help bring clarity to the chaos of the news, policy and issues.

ON THE AGENDA

Will Too Much Debt Fuel A Double-Dip Recession?

Francie Grace
Nov 20, 2009

That was the question raised by President Obama during an interview in China (one of our biggest creditors), as cartoonists seized the opportunity to comment on America's looming national debt. "It is important," said Mr.

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Listening To Young Americans On The Deficit

Francie Grace
Nov 13, 2009

You wouldn't think the bottom line on the $1.6 trillion federal budget deficit and $11.9 trillion national debt crisis could be summed up in a single sentence, but when the right words whizzed by, the Wall Street Journal's David Wessel was quick to point them out.

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FACING UP TO THE
Nation's Finances

National Debt Clock

ISSUE GUIDE: America's Global Role

OVERVIEW

America's Global Role

Seven years ago the United States was at peace and the World Trade Center was the most distinctive feature of the New York skyline. Since the twin towers were destroyed, killing thousands, the U.S. has invaded two nations and embarked on a twilight struggle against the al Qaeda terrorist network worldwide.

Those struggles continue. The Iraq war has become deeply unpopular. Most Americans say .the war was a mistake, give the government poor grades for conducting the war, and say they want to withdraw U.S. forces. More than 130,000 troops are stationed there, and while the security situation has improved, there is still considerable doubt about U.S. progress there and how well the Iraqi government can sustain itself.

The war in Afghanistan is less controversial at home, but the U.S. and its NATO allies are still struggling to control the Taliban forces ousted from power in 2002. The al Qaeda group, damaged when it's Taliban allies were driven out, has rebuilt itself to some extent in Afghanistan and Pakistan. And the group now has spawned "franchises," small groups inspired by their example that have conducted terrorist attacks in Europe. Counterterrorism officials worry that these franchise groups pose a serious threat, because they're hard to spot and infiltrate

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CONSIDER THE CHOICES

Put Domestic Needs First

Promote Global Stability, Prevent Chaos

Promote Democracy and Protect Human Rights

This perspective focuses on America's fundamental economic and security interests. The United States cannot solve all of the world's problems and should not act militarily, except when our own interests are directly threatened. For a half century, during the Cold War, our priority was to hold the Soviets at bay and defeat global communism. Now the U.S. has an opportunity to reassess priorities and focus on what needs to be done at home. It's time to concentrate on domestic concerns such as providing first-rate schools, shoring up the Social Security system, and reducing taxes.
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A second perspective focuses on America's global role in maintaining stability and preventing chaos. The post-Cold War world is coming apart at the seams. The United States is the only nation with the economic, moral, and military might to provide global leadership and ensure global stability. U.S. interests are threatened in several regions of the world. The U.S. must pay attention to civil wars, ethnic violence and a host of deteriorating political situations that could spiral out of control, engulfing our allies and threatening our interests. To maintain a semblance of global stability, the U.S. must play a central role as peacekeeper.
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A third perspective is concerned above all with promoting democracy and human rights. Winning the Cold War was a historic moral victory. But if fledgling democracies fail in the former Soviet Union, Latin America and elsewhere, what was gained could still be lost. The United States must renew its commitment to promote democracy and protect human rights around the world. This is the perspective that best reflects America's values and ideals. Ultimately, this is also the most practical way to promote world peace, and to expand markets for U.S. goods abroad.
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