Foreign policy is an incredibly complex and interdependent field. While there are many ways to define it, it is essentially the set of decisions a government makes about how to engage the international arena. It can include a wide variety of activities and actions including negotiating treaties, advocating on behalf of the country’s interests, and even war.
In a time of rising global power competition, the United States’ indisputable first objective must be to safeguard and enhance American liberty, security, and prosperity. To do so, Washington must promote a liberal world order. That is, it must extend the zone of peace and prosperity that was forged in Europe immediately after World War II to every corner of the globe. Pursuing this goal is not charity – it is profoundly in America’s self-interest.
It is also critical to recognize that while the United States is one of the world’s most powerful nations, it is not omnipotent. Some crucial problems – such as combating global terrorism or addressing climate change – defy unilateral action.
In these times of heightened great power competition, it is vital to build long-term partnerships that support regional stability and sustainable development. By doing so, the United States can counterbalance the strategic ambitions of rival powers and reassert its leadership in the global arena. This strategy can also help to reduce the risks of a localized or even global war, as well as extending the life of the U.S.’s dwindling military resources.
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