Idealism
The US foreign policy needs to stick close of Idealism in the coming future as the past decade has revealed several mistakes by shifting moving astray from original American value of idealism. Idealists consider that America can influence global affairs without making any intervention via their powerful resources. In the last decade, America has intervened in several countries and the costs of these interventions have been too heavy for the American economy. Under the leadership of Barack Obama, American has reduced ground troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Idealists also believe that interventions are needed when important human values need to be supported. For example: America has been against the Tyrannical reign of Bashar Al Assad in Syria and Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. Idealists believe that foreign policy is based on basic goals and values. National self-determination of every country and its citizens in the world needs to be guaranteed and it has been part of current American foreign policy (American Foreign Policy History).
Activist Foreign Policy
The United States of America is the most powerful country in the world and they cannot afford to turn their back on the rest of the world with an isolationist policy, especially when other superpowers are catching up to them. America has worked for decades to developed international obligations and treaties, and they need to maintain their global engagement. America’s active engagement is important for as it has managed to build allies in different parts of the world and America needs to protect its interests and their allies too. American also needs to remain engaged in the direction taken by regional powers and ensure that they are breaching the rights of a weaker nation. In addition, America needs to remain actively involved in major negotiations and decisions that will play an important role in maintaining world peace. America has been influencing other countries and their decisions with decisions such as sanctions against other countries such as Russia, Iran, etc. for rule breaking (Bohan & Vasilogambros).
Liberal
The surveys have identified me as Hamilton, liberal internationalist, and liberalist. I have to agree with the liberal answer as I consider myself as a liberal and support liberal values. I strongly oppose conservatism, apart from conserving the environment. Conserving American values is also another thing I can agree with, but countries should be allowed to have their own values and American values should not be forced on other countries. Economic interdependence and communication is one of the best ways to maintain relations and avoid conflict. Even though I believe that America needs to be become a socialist democratic policies country, much like many other countries in Europe. My libertarian values are guiding me towards maintaining world peace, global justice and security.
Foreign Policy Issues
The main foreign policy issue that concerns America in 2016 is the threat from ISIS and radical Islam. In the past few months, America has witnessed two inland terror attacks from radical Islamists in Orlando and San Bernardino. In addition, ISIS is still prevalent in Syria and Iraq and America needs to concentrate their foreign policy efforts towards reducing their impact and eliminating the terror group. Another major foreign policy issue is the cyber threat faced by America from China and other countries. America needs to be ready to sanction the country that breaks the cyber rules and steals data from America. Another major policy concern is Sunni-Shia battle in the Middle East that has divided the regional powers (Kaplan; Miks).
Work Cited
“Basic Approaches to American Foreign Policy”. American Foreign Policy. amforeignpolicy.bravepages.com. n.d. Web. 25 June 2016.
Bohan., Caren & Vasilogambros., Matt. 7 Pressing Foreign Policy Challenges for Obama's 2nd Term. The Atlantic. Theatlantic.com. 21 January 2013. Web. 25 June 2016.
Kaplan., Rebecca. What are the biggest foreign policy challenges ahead in 2016?. CBS News. Cbsnews.com. 24 December 2015. Web. 25 June 2016.
Miks., Jason. 10 foreign policy priorities for Obama. CNN. Cnn.com. 8 November 2012. Web. 24 June 2016.
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