Sean Rego ’26
Opinions Editor
As I’m writing this article, I do not know who the president-elect is. Yet whether we see a Harris presidency or a return of Donald Trump, there is one issue which both candidates have discussed and with which America will have to grapple for the next four years. Sure, international relations and geopolitics are not the top issue for everyday Americans (as they probably shouldn’t, for the sake of sanity and national cohesion), but it would be wrong to say that we should throw away our diplomatic responsibilities as the world’s leading power. Plus, it is almost Veterans’ Day (i.e. Remembrance Day).
Despite its imperfections, this age of Pax Americana is a blessing for our generation and society, one that must not be squandered or taken for granted. Too often, we seem to forget that less than a century ago, our world was gripped in death throes with National Socialism, communism and totalitarianism. Our civilization prevailed, but not with little effort. Along with other global leaders, it is the job of the president–whoever he or she may be– to maintain this gifted (and relative) peace, to use force when necessary and seek compromise when prudent.
It should not be controversial to say that the last four years have been a poor image for the prospects of peace across the world, as well as for the prospects for America to not be dragged into a conflict overseas. What was promised to be an administration of peaceful relations and a re-normalization of diplomacy has largely been a failure on multiple levels, despite immense effort. From the pullout of Afghanistan, the deterioration of relations with both nations Saudi Arabia and China, the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, the disillusionment of Europe, the urban warfare in Israel and Palestine, and of course a bevy of other threats and wars scattered across the world. This is not to say that there haven’t been bright spots on part of the Biden Administration–the AUKUS agreements and the CHIPS Act come to mind–but to say we are better off than we were four years ago is wrong. Also, bluntly speaking, having a leader who can’t remember the names of our allies and fellow world leaders is just not helpful in maintaining our global image. To the next administration, I urge it to partake in remedying America’s position in the world.
First and foremost, the next president must grapple with the two major wars with which we are concerned, in Ukraine and Israel, and be ready to end both. Both of these democracies are not perfect, but they are our allies in the fight against rising authoritarianism. We would do well to remember our moral duties in helping our fellow free nations, and even better to end them in their favor as well. Although we are dealing with somewhat different circumstances, in both cases America must allow these nations to win over the upper hand when possible and encourage disengagement when possible. For Ukraine, this means holding a tenable line against the Russian Federation, on which the West can procure the best terms for Kyiv, and create a viable path to membership in Western alliance structures if need be. For Israel, this means the securing of the nation’s borders from the fundamentalist groups that seek its destruction and the return of every hostage (Israeli and American).
It is critical that in both of these cases that our president does not cave in; any show of weakness in either war is an abdication of our duties and may well encourage the enemies of Ukraine and Israel to strike harder or the strike again. I am not a warhawk, but I do like to think of myself as a participant in historical analysis, and in cases like these two conflicts, warfare is a tragic necessity in the defense of a nation against violent enemies. It is why I’d appreciate preventative measures that can also be taken in the future, so that we do not have to come to this.
Furthermore, it is the duty of our next president to see the bigger picture of these horrible conflicts and disasters; they are more often than not linked. Many envy the power of the United States and her allies, from revanchist Russia to communist China to theocratic Iran. It is no coincidence that the same men who chant “Death to America, Death to Israel” in Tehran are sending drones to Russia, and that the same men who ravage Ukraine (the formerly called Wagner group) are slowly taking over Francophone Africa. A new axis is forming across the despotic world, one that not only destroys Western-built institutions, but co-opts them to stall and divide our interests. We can see this in the likes of BRICs most glaringly, which is far from unified, but nevertheless concerning.
I hope our next president recognizes the danger and is able to take it on directly. Like the administrations before us, our words must be backed with action. The 20th Century was marred with horrific conflicts and injustices, but at least we can say that Western leaders of the past in America, Britain and Europe stood unified against tyranny and won. Imperfect we were (as we are now and I presume we will be for the rest of history), we nevertheless strived for perfection and liberty, which is a defining trait of Western Civilization. Our next president must not be afraid to stand up for that, must not cave in to the purposefully reckless of society. Indeed, dialogue and debate are another set of core values, but it must end in resolve and unity if we want any chance of holding our splendid dominance which has let the world prosper for quite some time. That is something I would urge the president-elect to remember in shaping the future of our entire planet.
Featured image courtesy of PBS
Copy Edited by Lily Wasmund ’28
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