Is America turning its back on the world it helped to build?
Jun 21, 2024
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Fareed Zakaria discusses US stepping back from alliances & global order implications. Conversation on Russia-China dynamics, China's ambitions in Asia, challenges to liberal international order, and Britain's post-Brexit global role.
The US stepping back from its alliances threatens the international order it sustains.
Collaboration among liberal-minded allies is vital to uphold the rules-based global system.
Deep dives
Great Power Politics Revival
There is a resurgence of great power politics aiming to disrupt the open international order that has been in place for decades. The concern revolves around whether the US will continue its role as the architect and supporter of the rules-based global system. The upcoming US election raises questions about American commitment, particularly between a continuation of the current path with Biden and a potential return to isolationism under Trump. The implications extend beyond the domestic realm, potentially reshaping global alliances and security dynamics.
Challenges to International Order
Multiple countries, including Russia and China, present significant challenges to the existing order. Russia's actions, such as the annexation of Ukraine, directly challenge established international norms. In East Asia, China aims to assert dominance in the Asia Pacific, displacing the US. Furthermore, Iran adopts an asymmetrical strategy in the Middle East through non-state actors to disrupt the American-led security framework. These actions collectively mark a shift towards great power politics and threaten the stability of the current global order.
Maintaining Liberal International Order
Navigating the evolving global landscape necessitates upholding the liberal international order without a single hegemonic power. Collaboration among countries like Britain, Canada, France, US, Japan, and South Korea becomes crucial to preserving the existing system. Despite challenges and uncertainties, a coalition of liberal-minded allies can work towards maintaining the rules-based system by encouraging strategic military spending and concerted efforts to address global threats. The absence of a dominant leader calls for collective action and coordination among nations to ensure the longevity of the liberal international order.
Joining Bronwen Maddox this week is Fareed Zakaria, the host of Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN. Recorded at our 2024 London Conference, they discuss the consequences of the US stepping back from its alliances, and the international order that relies on them.