For decades after WWII, the U.S. stood across the world as a mighty colossus. We were the richest and strongest nation, and our history and institutions were the envy of all.
Not long ago I was asked by several students for my thoughts on the outstanding characteristics of good politicians. What follows is my response:
We are living in a difficult time. Our country and its communities are deeply polarized; many Americans distrust one another as well as the government and other institutions. The novel coronavirus has deepened our problems in a way none of us imagined.
As the novel coronavirus spreads and its impacts deepen, affecting people in our own communities and families, it is a good time to consider its effects on our emotional, psychological, and social lives. Anxiety, loneliness, fear, and grief may all become more acute as the pandemic continues.
The toughest issue in foreign policy is when, where and how to intervene in the affairs of other countries – and when to walk away. Given America’s role as a global leader, the question arises for U.S. leaders again and again.
The participants of the conference on America’s Role in the World®, the country’s premier nonpartisan foreign policy conference, have been reporting the news or asked to comment on news stories on a range of topics, from national security to the role of diplomacy to COVID-19 to the climate crisis.
The U.S. has been the world’s leader for decades in promoting democracy, political liberalization, free trade and collective security. For the most part, Americans support that role, but many are wondering about its costs, and are growing ambivalent about our global engagement.
It’s frequently observed that Americans don’t closely follow international affairs. That may be true, but my experience, over a period of decades, suggests most Americans appreciate the importance of our foreign policy and have a clear-eyed and sensible view of our nation’s role in the world.
Wide-ranging and engaging panels on climate change, national security in the 2020s, and presidential elections, in addition to compelling conversations with Ambassador William J. Burns and Senator Todd Young, animated the Hamilton Lugar School’s fifth annual conference on America’s Role in the World®, which concluded on Friday with IU President Michael A. McRobbie presenting the… Read more »
During a panel at the Hamilton Lugar School’s conference on America’s Role in the World®, political consultant and founder of North Star Opinion Research Whit Ayres pointed to the years 1968, 2002, 2004, and 2006 as all times when foreign policy helped determine the outcome of a Congressional or presidential election, as the United States… Read more »
