Foreign policy shapes what goes on outside U.S. borders, from protecting economic investments and addressing global challenges to preventing power vacuums that could require a costly military response. Its success requires a broad-based strategy that combines four areas of expertise.
The first involves sustaining and enhancing America’s bases of power. This includes ensuring that the American economy remains competitive, that America’s military retains its technological edge and its overall capacity to bring force to bear when needed, and that America’s diplomats remain engaged in international forums.
It also encompasses extending and adapting proven international institutions and arrangements. For example, a decade ago, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization evolved from its Cold War defensive role into Europe’s security institution and an opening of NATO to new members has helped make it more relevant in the emerging world order. It has also worked to tie an economically surging China into the global trading system.
It is crucial to understand how allies and partners cope with and respond to policy changes in Washington. While many allies and partners promise not to bend the knee to U.S. demands, they often end up internalizing the responsibility for identifying solutions that preserve long-term alliance equities. They are also aware that a lack of cooperation with America risks putting their own national interests at risk. In this respect, Millennials need to hear more clearly from their leaders that a robust foreign policy pays dividends in terms of both peace and prosperity for Americans.