The genius of post-1945 U.S. foreign policy was in embedding America’s awesome power in a framework of international institutions and law in which all nations, large and small, could participate and benefit. It was far from perfect and coincided with plenty of episodes of imperialist intervention. But the strategy overall paid off for the United States. It cushioned the reality of American dominance, legitimated American power and produced an order broadly consistent with American interests. All these advantages are now being abandoned. The Trump administration is destroying any remaining faith that the United States can be trusted to exercise power responsibly.

 

The Warmongers Are Getting History All Wrong

By Stewart Patrick

Dr. Patrick directs the Global Order and Institutions Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.