There is no denying the fact that after the 9/11 attacks, the common enemy emerged in the form of radical Islamist terrorism. It was not the danger posed by any Cold War era rival, having anti-democratic sentiments, where the doctrine of deterrence was applicable. But, now the enemy is more malevolent that does not have a shred of moral compunction while brutally killing people with its nefarious schemes and weapons of mass destruction. This enemy, if it acquires nuclear weapons, will not hesitate to attack the western democratic countries as terrorists have always willingly committed suicide in carrying out terrorism so nuclear suicide for them won’t be a problem. The question is that whether any country or international organization can lead the world in the face of this threat. International Organizations lack the military power and strategic vision to contain such threats effectively on the urgent basis. Whereas, American military might is unparalleled with its defense expenditure more than that of China, Russia and Europe combined, and its economy accounting for 30% of world GDP. “International Organizations can be important as sources of legitimacy and stability, but in view of their limitations there is often no global alternative to the U.S. role. No other country has both the ability and the will to deploy large forces abroad in order to cope with the most urgent and dangerous worldwide problems.” (Lieber 36)
America is the only country to take decisive action against the new kind of global terrorism, posing the threat not only to it but also to the whole international community. It has crushed networked Jihadi group Taliban in Afghanistan and preempted Sadam’s hawkish ambitions of acquiring WMD. It has been working with Muslim countries for the advocacy of Democracy, Liberty and human rights. All this proves not only the primacy of America, but also its credential to lead the world in matters of death and life. It has proved itself as a champion of International liberalism.
The threat of terrorism today has not been totally eliminated, it still exists and is in the struggle of exploiting current Mideast crises invoked by the Arab Revolution and also the problem of nuclear proliferation still persists. The UN has failed to cope up with these threats. So, International Organizations should accept the necessity of America’s leadership. America is the only country to steer the world out of multifaceted threats of terrorism and nuclear proliferation, because it is more concerned about making world a safer place than any other country. It has never abdicated the responsibility of a sincere nation as it is always committed and ready to salvage the world. “Today, the U.S. makes its presence felt--militarily and economically--across the globe. It criticizes nations that do not encourage freedom and human rights. It also extends help to countries facing civil unrest, epidemic diseases, and economic crises” (The U.S. role in world affairs)
Works Cited
Lieber, Robert J. The American Era: Power And Strategy for the 21st century. New York, NY: Cambridge, 2005.
"The U.S. role in world affairs: what is America's duty as the world's only superpower?" The Free Library. 2003 Scholastic, Inc. 04 Jun. 2014 <http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+U.S.+role+in+world+affairs%3a+what+is+America's+duty+as+the+world's-a0111573263>
