The United States is entering election campaign season, and internal divisions are likely to deepen. Our rivals will widen and exploit these divisions to gain geopolitical advantage.
Elections are about national interest. To that end, both parties must recognize their obligation to overcome weakening partisan divisions and unite behind the national priorities that will define America’s future: strengthening its global standing and leadership.
Without this commitment, we will not be able to build the strong economic, trade, and security alliances and partnerships on which our nation’s long-term security and prosperity and the future of our democracy depend.
Powerful geopolitical, demographic, and economic forces are dramatically reshaping the global operating environment, creating new and complex challenges for U.S. leadership and the growing need for it. . China’s economic rise has exerted enormous gravitational pull on all markets that provide investment and raw materials, expanding its authoritarian influence.
Russia’s status as a major energy producer has encouraged military buildup and created reluctance in some regions to confront its revivalist aggression. Addressing these and other challenges posed by the modern economic, geostrategic, and security landscape requires new ways of thinking rooted in the timeless values that account for America’s unprecedented power and influence. approach is required.
But the greatest threat to American leadership is neither external nor circumstantial. They are internal and self-inflicted through many administrations and Congresses. The impact has left allies and adversaries alike questioning whether the United States has the unity to lead, the stamina to uphold its values, and the conviction to deliver on its commitments.
Over the past decade, countries around the world have often questioned the United States’ unwavering commitment to the world’s most vexing security challenges. Over the past century, America has positioned itself as a global defender of democracy and a protector from totalitarianism. The world watching is taking note of what it perceives as America’s quiet retreat from a global leadership role. The current conflict and instability in the Middle East highlights that the Middle East peace process has stalled, despite decades of U.S. intentions to bring it to fruition. Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities remains largely unchecked, as does its continued attacks on and harassment of foreign vessels on the high seas and support for terrorist proxies.
This year, NATO, the most successful and successful military alliance in history, celebrates its 75th anniversary. But the free world is concerned that we will no longer see the usefulness of our alliances or have the conviction to lead. Even US support for Ukraine against Russian tyranny is being questioned. This reflects a different nation than the one that bravely signed the Budapest Memorandum on Security in 1994, pledging security assistance to Ukraine in conjunction with a commitment to abandon nuclear weapons.
If the United States is to eliminate the fears of its friends, crush the hopes of its rivals that the United States will voluntarily withdraw from world leadership, and build the strong alliances needed to win freedom in the 21st century, it must do three things: Required items are required.
First, we must respect our words. Trust between nations is the basis for lasting trust and friendship. We must now demonstrate through our actions that words matter. There is no question that the United States will uphold its principles and uphold its international commitments. We can no longer erase the red line.
Today, this means: Provide Ukraine with the necessary aid and equipment It is to protect itself and secure a free Europe. It means we reassure Taiwan of our unwavering commitment to freedom and security. Enemies of freedom must know that America has its arguments and disagreements, but we are unwavering when it comes to defending our values and fulfilling our obligations.
Second, they must demonstrate agility and ability to deal with a changing global operating environment. Technological strategic competition is shaping the world’s future. Winning requires new strategies from all of society and strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. Taking full advantage of the essential innovative and problem-solving capabilities of America’s unparalleled private sector requires dynamic cross-sector partnerships. These are our best hopes for tackling today’s complex economic, technological, diplomatic and development challenges. The United States is uniquely positioned to forge such partnerships to out-innovate rivals and counter state capitalism, while building strong multilateral trade relationships that support international prosperity and stability.
Third, we must set an example worth emulating. “A house divided against itself cannot survive,” much less thrive or lead. Election years focus on debates and disagreements on campus, obscuring the common goals and aspirations that truly define us.
America’s form of government has long been the envy of the world. Lively debate and strong disagreements are fundamental to a healthy democracy. But so is functionality and the ability to form and maintain political consensus. As the Founders predicted, sectarianism and unbridled partisanship are the greatest threat to the nation and the cause of democracy, and we are unable to do what we know must be done in our own interests. It’s becoming increasingly difficult.
Today, our nation’s divisive and degrading political culture robs us of our power, marginalizes our friends, discourages would-be allies, and emboldens rivals of freedom who see human rights and the future of humanity at a radically different level than our own. Overcoming these dangerous trends must be at the top of our national agenda if we want to ensure our nation’s security, prosperity, and ability to lead into the future.
Through all of this, the United States remains an essential nation. “Earth’s last and best hope.” We were able to build the world’s largest, most innovative economy and most powerful military in large part because our form of government and its underlying principles were on the right side of history.
Preserving American leadership and maintaining America’s privileged and difficult role in the world is the defining challenge of our time. We must undertake the difficult task of fulfilling this responsibility, which will determine the future of our nation and the prospects for freedom and human progress. The world needs America.
General James L. Jones (Retired), President and Chairman of Jones Group International, is a former Commander of the United States Marine Corps (1999-2003), Supreme Allied Commander of NATO (2003-2006), and served as National Security Advisor to the President. President Obama (2009-10).General Todd Walters (retired) served as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO from 2019 to 2022.. Gen. Craig McKinley (retired) served as the Director of the National Guard Bureau as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Thomas Waldhauser (retired) served as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Special Operations Command and the U.S. Africa Command Combatant Command.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
