The Choice: Global Domination or Global LeadershipThe overwhelming reality of our time is this: In the opening years of the 21st century, the United States finds itself not only the most powerful nation on earth but the most powerful nation that has ever existed. Given the contradictory roles America plays in the world, we are fated to be the catalyst for either a new global community or for global chaos. If we don't lead, Zbigniew Brzezinski contends, rather than merely dominate by force, we could face worldwide hostility much like the regional hostility now confronting Israel. Brzezinski argues for a more complex and sophisticated view of our global role than much of our media and political leadership are willing to entertain. We are the world's policeman, but we have to be seen as a fair one. We are entitled to a higher level of security than other nations (because we assume greater risks), but we are also the proponent of essential freedoms. We are uniquely powerful, but our homeland is uniquely -and chronically-vulnerable. "Globalization" precludes immunity for even the most powerful. This is an impressively lucid assessment, informed by decades of experience on the front lines of foreign policy, of where we stand in the world and where we should go from here. |
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Afghanistan alliance allies America’s global American hegemony American power anti-American appeal Arab Asia Asian become Brzezinski capability central century challenge China Chinese Cold War conflict cooperation counter-creed countries country’s cultural decades defense defined democracy democratic dilemmas doctrine dominant economic effective effort elite emerging engaged especially ethnic Eurasia Euroatlantic Europe Europe’s European Union eventually geopolitical Global Balkans global community global political global power global security global stability historical hostile ideology increasingly India intensified interests Iran Iraq Islamic Islamic fundamentalism Islamist Israel Israeli issue Japan Japanese Korea largely leadership major mass destruction Middle East military million missile Muslim nation-state national security NATO North Korea nuclear Pakistan Palestinians peace percent population potential president proliferation promote reality regional religious resentment role Russia Sankei Shimbun shared social society Soviet Union strategic superpower technological terrorism terrorist threat tion traditional Turkey U.S. foreign policy United vulnerability widespread world’s worldwide ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI