History shows how new forces are emerging out of thin air. So, it’s
no surprise that the emergence of countries like China, India and Brazil
raises questions about the future regarding the domination on the
world, which the United States, Great Britain and other allied countries
achieved and helped our country build as well. Could the U.S and China
give a new answer to the question as to what happens when you meet an
established world power rise?Are there questions about America’s future as a world leader? In previous years, there were t,wo costly wars, an economy in free fall, worn alliances and an international system that seemed to bend under the weight of new threats.
During Obama’s first term governance, the U.S terminated the war in Iraq and began changing in Afghanistan, revived American diplomacy, reinforced alliances and re-commitment of multilateral organizations took place. And, while the economic recovery is not as strong as everybody would like, the American citizens feel that they are moving in the right direction.
New powers on the world stage are playing a greater role. Again, looking back at history of 1912 when the neglected Britain, emerging Germany formed the background of a global conflict. Now in 2012, a strong America is working with the new forces and with its partners in order to upgrade an international system designed to prevent global conflicts and to promote global prosperity.
Today, the major powers coexist harmoniously in a way that no “empire” is threatening the world as it became evident from the Second World War. There are however different challenges from the economic crisis and the growing income inequality as climate change, creation of nuclear weapons and international terrorism transcend borders and rejects unilateral solutions. In the meantime, political and technological changes allow vast numbers of people around the world to influence situations than ever before. Furthermore, new players from emerging economic powers such as enterprises and cartels are reshaping the international environment.
Thus, the network of global power is shared and at the same time the challenges are faced is becoming more complex. This means that to build coalitions for a common action is more complex but, also more important. The fixed parameters are two: First, a fair and open world order that will promote peace and prosperity in the world. Secondly, this class depends on American economic, military and diplomatic leadership which has safeguarded world peace and prosperity for decades.
For the U.S, historical alliances in Europe and East Asia remain the foundation of global hegemony. Britain and other allied forces are the first partners who escaped but the U.S work side by side to prevent Iran acquire nuclear weapons to protect civilians in Libya and to fight AIDS. At the same time, rapidly emerging new regional and global centers of influence are established, like India and China and also countries such as Turkey, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa as well as Russia. Some of these countries are democracies; others have different political systems. The alignment of interests is not always easy. For instance, we see how difficult things are in Syria.
In the past three years, the Obama administration made it a priority to cooperate with regional institutions such as the East Asian Summit, the Arab League and the African Union. Some of those bodies until a few years ago lacked reliability and capacity, but it is now changing.
The ongoing difficulties in the Euro zone are a reminder that effective management and integration is no simple challenge. However, Europe’s experience shows the benefits that may have such an approach. A continent which has been divided by centuries of conflict and divisions managed to maintain unprecedented peace and prosperity by opening up its borders, unifying the economies and coordinating its policies. It was all well integrated in Europe with responsible moves and it is important to continue with the aim to see the continent as completely democratic and peaceful.
