John Allen Gay is the Executive Director of John Quincy Adams Society, and an alumni of The National Interest. Today he talks to us, in our Q+A series, about American interests, U.S. foreign policy and grand strategy, the Trump administration’s agenda and the future of world order.
You can follow him on Twitter @JohnAllenGay.
You can also find other Q+As here.
- What are the major challenges facing U.S. foreign policy and grand strategy? In light of those challenges, who or what is the biggest threat to U.S.?
We’re currently in a very extended geopolitical position. We guarantee the security of states that border one great power (Russia) and of states engaged in active territorial disputes with another (China), and in a confrontation, those states would likely be unable to secure themselves without significant American aid. We’re also deeply involved in the Middle East, including a growing entanglement in competition between Saudi Arabia and Iran. And this comes after fifteen years of war and deficits have combined to erode our military capabilities. The stability and cohesion of our government has also faded a bit.
All that combines to create a situation ripe for confrontation: a rival power, believing America is outdriving its headlights, might confront a U.S. treaty ally or strategic partner, in the hope that we’ll back down. But will we?
State of the Union highlights: Trump’s unpatriotic appropriation of the flag – Bombs and Dollars
"[…] Trump doesn’t understand why anyone would be an official, because he doesn’t ..."
Responding to Daniel Kim: What he gets wrong about Trump and immigration – Bombs and Dollars
"[…] starts his article by telling us, “Trump has been called an ‘anti-immigrant’ ..."
The Left’s Moral Kulturkampf Reaps the Whirlwind – American Greatness
"[…] are the liberal left. From Labour members of Parliament to socialist male ..."
Just a reminder: Trump is unhinged – Bombs and Dollars
"[…] Just a reminder: Unhinged attacks are something of a hallmark for Trump. ..."
Just a reminder: Trump is unhinged – Bombs and Dollars
"[…] Halperin, Louie CK, and so many others were fired or forced out. ..."