Re-imagine America!
Political affiliations are now polarizing. Sharing mine would likely cause half of you to stop reading. So, I won’t. However, I will share that I grew up in a family where we were taught the importance of national service, pride of our country and promise of our future. My father was a career Navy SEAL. My eldest brother served in Intelligence in the Navy. And, my other brother was killed in action as a Navy pilot. I joined the Central Intelligence Agency and later worked for Naval Special Warfare Development Group. I’m forever proud to serve under our American Flag.
Political affiliations were not always polarizing, but today things are different. Today, it seems that identity politics are over-turning national politics. It seems that we cast hate quicker than we lend a hand. It seems that America has lost alignment on its future, and thus its ability to play globally. How did this happen?
If we read our history, change was inevitable. We have the “curse” of abundance, security and wealth; we’ve become complacent. According to Political Science professors Mettler & Lieberman, crises in democracy appear when at least one of these threats exists – political polarization, conflict over who belongs in the political community, high and growing economic inequality and excessive executive power. It’s not hidden that we are experiencing each of these threats to varying degrees. As long as we have crises at home, we cannot expect to participate effectively internationally. What the moment demands is a fundamental reinvention of our foreign policy.
International affairs thinker Edward Fishman provides a useful metaphor for imagining the needed shift in U.S. foreign policy, as one of transitioning from the conductor of a classical orchestra to a member of a jazz band. Fishman shares, “While Washington can set the rhythm most of the time, it should always invite improvisation and experimentation... there will be more hope and less resentment, and the beat will move everyone forward.”
So, how do we play in the international jazz band?
1) Re-focus our institutions. Over 200 years ago, Carl von Clausewitz, a Prussian General and military theorist, stated, “War is a mere continuation of policy...” Thus, if the politics are correct, war is no longer necessary. The U.S. military was created to defend our country and its citizens, not to serve as first responders, nor for diplomacy. Our military is useful to defend us directly, or to “buy time,” while other departments of national power pursue our interests. Retired Admiral Eric Olson, former U.S. Special Operations Command commander, said, “...the unique challenges of today’s global security environment frequently demand more than just a military solution.” Although we must engage all elements of national power, it is the State Department that was created to promote peace and stability, permitting a more prosperous America and world.
2) Hire experts. U.S. civil and public service go through an enormous and abrupt change each time a new administration comes into power. Furthermore, the Foreign Operations budget has been flat or declined since 2009. Since 2017, 60% of career ambassadors have left, being replaced mostly by political appointees. The Foreign Service witnessed the largest drop in applicants in over a decade. These personnel and budgetary challenges limit the ability to create and execute lasting foreign policy. If these individuals are to be the face of America in our foreign relations, they should have proper funding and international experience. Yet, many don’t. This permits novices in foreign policy. As Retired General Jim Mattis, former Secretary of Defense, stated, “If you don’t fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition.” We need to once again make the State Department, our lead on foreign relations, a highly desired employer of our best and brightest.
3) Be a Team of Teams. Our foreign policy should be collaborative instead of unilateral. Retired General Stanley McChrystal, former Joint Special Operations Command commander, taught the military and various corporations the concept of being a Team of Teams. We should use this with our foreign policy. We need to break down silos; we need to build trust with our allies. We need to accept that even if our allies make choices that are only loosely aligned with American interests that is okay. Integrated collaboration will allow us to forge new economic deals aimed at creating jobs, accelerating medical research, combating corruption and curbing climate change. Many of these policy agendas are inescapably international; we cannot go at it alone.
As former President Bill Clinton said, “There’s nothing wrong with America that can’t be cured by what is right with America.” As numerous organizations have done before, now is our time to accept our place in the jazz band, and re-imagine America!