The Good Fight Shadi Hamid on Why We Need American Power
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Nov 11, 2025 
In this insightful discussion, Shadi Hamid, a columnist at The Washington Post and senior fellow at Georgetown University, explores the necessity of American power. He shares his evolution from anti-war activism to advocating for responsible engagement in foreign policy. Hamid argues that America can promote democracy and improve outcomes abroad, while also addressing critiques from the left and realists. They delve into how democratic accountability can rectify U.S. actions, and why he believes that democracies, despite challenges, may outlast autocracies.
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From Campus Protest To Seeking Power
- Shadi Hamid described protesting the Iraq War, organizing teach-ins, die-ins, and a tent encampment outside the White House.
- He used that experience to shift from outsider protest to wanting to wield American power for better outcomes.
Power Exists; Who Uses It Matters
- American power is a reality and the key question is who wields it, not whether it exists.
- Because the U.S. is a democracy, citizens can influence foreign policy and should hold it accountable.
Vacuum Attracts Autocratic Powers
- A power vacuum will be filled by others, often autocrats, so absence of U.S. power isn't neutral.
- Thus, comparatively, American power can be preferable to alternatives like Russia or China.
