Another American Casualty: Credibility

After using faulty intelligence to justify war, the US has isolated itself and lost the world’s trust, argues Zbigniew Brzezinsky, national security adviser to President Jimmy Carter. This isolation is enhanced by the US government’s “paranoic” view of the world, in which nations who oppose elements of US foreign policy are seen as enemies. The US “cannot have a relationship if we only dictate to or threaten those who disagree”, writes Brzezinsky. By alienating the international community, the US has undermined its ability to address current crises in Iran, Russia, North Korea, and the West Bank. And by declaring war against a tactic – terrorism – rather than a specific enemy, the US has embraced an extreme foreign policy and abandoned its ideals. To regain international trust, the country should promote global cooperation and stability. The US must work with its allies to pressures countries like Russia and Israel to respect human rights, and it must act quickly to restore sovereignty to Iraq. Internally, the US must reform its intelligence service and reevaluate the doctrine of preemption. In taking these steps, Brzezinsky argues, the country will regain its global standing while promoting a stable international community. - YaleGlobal