To remain focused on potential threats globally, we must first realize the danger or significance of them to the United States. Bret Stephens, in America in Retreat, quotes a reader of one of his articles stating, “please repeat after me: ‘we should not be the world’s policeman’,” and continued by asking to Stephens to repeat this statement over and over, “repeat again” (xi). Her sentiment is easily detectable in her passion, a sentiment shared by most Americans, even our leaders. President Obama stated in September 2013 that “we should not be the world’s policeman,” along with presidential nominee Rand Paul which stated: “America’s mission should be to keep the peace, not police the world” (Stephens, xii). In contrast, George W. Bush in this
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The best approach to accomplish this is to use a modified, “broken-windows” philosophy presented by Stephens, in his book America in Retreat (218). This philosophy looks at proactively facing international disorder and “policing” these disorders with an active presence, swift punishment, and cleansing of “criminal activity” (Stephens 218). It is like taking a neighborhood and having the community report suspected criminal activity, rebuild abandoned building, and support one another for the betterment of life. This is accomplished with local people seeking democracy and not necessarily with American military force and finances. For instance, if the Jordanians wish to expel the terrorist efforts of ISIS in their country and diplomatic efforts have failed, the United States must take an active leading role to offer the support that nation needs. We can assist with sanctions, military strategy, and weapons needed to be successful. However, in event of these efforts failing, the United States will need to align with neighboring countries and defeat the threat militarily, if needed. The “broken-windows” effect would operate “on the condition that those allies invest significantly in their own defenses,” and “sharply punish violations of geopolitical norms, such as the use of chemical weapons” by immediately targeting the perpetrator (Stephens 219). These are police actions and not military occupations. In order for this concept to work, the members of NATO will need to increase its military spending to satisfy the NATO Charter requirements of at least two percent Gross Domestic Product. Currently, only four nations, including the United States are satisfying this standard (Stephens 222). Increased military spending in unstable nations will help them to domestically police the policies and
The best approach to accomplish this is to use a modified, “broken-windows” philosophy presented by Stephens, in his book America in Retreat (218). This philosophy looks at proactively facing international disorder and “policing” these disorders with an active presence, swift punishment, and cleansing of “criminal activity” (Stephens 218). It is like taking a neighborhood and having the community report suspected criminal activity, rebuild abandoned building, and support one another for the betterment of life. This is accomplished with local people seeking democracy and not necessarily with American military force and finances. For instance, if the Jordanians wish to expel the terrorist efforts of ISIS in their country and diplomatic efforts have failed, the United States must take an active leading role to offer the support that nation needs. We can assist with sanctions, military strategy, and weapons needed to be successful. However, in event of these efforts failing, the United States will need to align with neighboring countries and defeat the threat militarily, if needed. The “broken-windows” effect would operate “on the condition that those allies invest significantly in their own defenses,” and “sharply punish violations of geopolitical norms, such as the use of chemical weapons” by immediately targeting the perpetrator (Stephens 219). These are police actions and not military occupations. In order for this concept to work, the members of NATO will need to increase its military spending to satisfy the NATO Charter requirements of at least two percent Gross Domestic Product. Currently, only four nations, including the United States are satisfying this standard (Stephens 222). Increased military spending in unstable nations will help them to domestically police the policies and