The Grand Strategy Sessions Michael Poznansky: Renovating Liberal Order
Sep 15, 2025
Michael Poznansky, a Professor at the U.S. Naval War College and an expert on international order, discusses renovating the liberal international order. He analyzes the shifting dominance from U.S. unipolarity to a China-centric competition, advocating for multilateralism and the promotion of the rule of law. Poznansky contrasts binding institutions like NATO with the UN and emphasizes the need to balance values with rules. He also debates strategies for U.S. diplomacy and military alliances to strengthen foreign policy in a multipolar world.
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Unipolar Moment Is Over
- The unipolar moment of U.S. unrivaled dominance is over and great power competition is back.
- This era resembles the Cold War in rivalry but differs due to weaker ideological divides and deep U.S.-China interdependence.
Three Pillars For U.S. Strategy
- U.S. strategy should blend multilateral cooperation, championing rights, and a sustained military footprint in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Poznansky argues the U.S. still benefits from a robust presence across those three regions while pivoting to Asia.
Liberal Order Is Multi‑Dimensional
- The liberal international order is a patchwork across issue areas: trade, security, and human rights, not a single tidy system.
- Poznansky suggests renovating the order issue-by-issue, focusing his essay on the use of force and legal restraint.