A Global Test of American Power

The United States can still wield great global influence in terms of political and military power. Many nations and US citizens, too, expect the United States to police the globe by guaranteeing borders, reassuring allies, guaranteeing freedom of navigation for trade. But use of such power is costly. Military power also does not guarantee territorial control or winning over populations as shown in the Middle East. Current disputes in Russia, the Baltic States and the South China Sea suggest that “the control of territory is still fundamental to world politics,” writes Gideon Rachman for the Financial Times. Instability in the Middle East suggests that the US has lost control. Some analysts even suggest that the country should reconsider its pivot to Asia and once again make the Middle East a priority. President Barack Obama clearly does not want prolonged conflicts, particularly with Russia or China which push back at US power and demonstrate expansionist tendencies in their regions. Global security is needed, though some disputes could by design encourage the United States to overextend itself. – YaleGlobal