American Leadership
The freedom and security of Americans depend on America's global leadership.
Learn More... Statement of Purpose Without American leadership the world will become a more dangerous place – for Americans and for freedom. If left unchecked, the growing dangers will only get worse and may reach the point where America’s very existence is at stake. Transnational terrorism, rampant anti-Americanism, unaccountable international institutions, nuclear proliferation, and regional conflict all represent real threats to peace and prosperity. We can deal with these grim challenges. Just as The Heritage Foundation helped devise the strategies and plans to win the Cold War, it can and should do the same with respect to helping America win the global war of ideas for freedom and security.

It will be Heritage’s mission to carry forward the legacies of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher by devising and promoting new strategies and policy recommendations for the 21st Century. In this new era, it will be crucial for the United States to prevail in the ideological battle against radical Islam and the resurgence of leftist populism and other ant-American forces, create alternatives to the United Nations, and spread and institutionalize global economic and political freedoms around the world. What is required is a coherent overarching blueprint that identifies the sources of anti-Americanism and the lack of confidence and coherence in U.S. leadership here at home, while also outlining the political, diplomatic, economic, and military instruments that are needed to overcome these obstacles and reassert the nations global leadership role. These solutions must be grounded in the First Principles of the Constitution and its intent of safeguarding and advancing the cause of freedom.

North Korean Launches Affirm Need for Missile Defense

July 4, 2009

North Korea’s blatant defiance of yet another UN resolution demonstrates the critical necessity for the U.S. and its allies to have robust missile defense systems

U.S. Levies Economic Sanctions on North Korea

July 1, 2009

Hopefully realizing the futility of relying on U.N. actions to constrain North Korean belligerence, on June 30 the Obama Administration imposed unilateral U.S. sanctions on two North Korean companies engaged in proliferation.

A Trade Agenda for the G-8 Summit in Italy

July 1, 2009

Time is running out for the world's leaders to strengthen the global trading system. In their July meeting, G-8 leaders should commit to eliminating trade barriers established in the aftermath of the financial crisis within the year, establish a global moratorium on new trade barriers and excessive use of trade remedies, and set a hard timeline and blueprint for concluding trade negotiations within the WTO.

Honduras Fires Its Runaway President: Constitutional Order Is Preserved

June 29, 2009

While Honduran government institutions may have acted precipitously, the bottom line is that President Zelaya was fired for cause. However, the U.S. can ill afford to open the door to a counter-intervention by Hugo Chávez, one which would deliver Honduras into the Chávez brand of "democracy."

What Is Next in Iran?

June 26, 2009

The Obama Administration must abandon wishful thinking and deal with Iran as it is, not as how they would like it to be.

Russia's New Scramble for Africa

July 2, 2009

The Kremlin has launched an ambitious project to restore Moscow's past glory on the African continent. Policy makers in the U.S. and Europe need to understand that it's happening -- and formulate an effective response -- before they find their own relationships with Africa changing in significant and problematic ways.

A 'coup' to protect a constitution

July 1, 2009

On Sunday, the citizens of Honduras woke up with one president and went to bed with another. Manuel Zelaya was forced out of the country -- replaced, with full backing from the Congress, the nation's courts, and its military, with Interim President Robert Micheletti.

How U.S. should handle Iran's election results

June 29, 2009

For decades, about the worst thing you could say to a politician was that he was behaving like Richard Nixon. A cunning "realism" and willingness to deal with dictators--from Beijing to Latin America to, yes, Iran--helped make the 37th president Public Enemy No. 1 on the left.

Russian Paradox Forum

June 17, 2009

Cold and rainy days at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum earlier this month followed each other like waves on the Baltic Sea. The economic forecasts pushed by Russian leaders, foreign dignitaries and gurus were just as bleak.

Drowning in Cash, Chinese Foreign Investment: Who, What and Why--Part 1 of 3

June 15, 2009

China made headlines by becoming the largest foreign holder of US Treasury bonds at the end of September 2008, and it was already the largest foreign holder of other US public debt. In the last few years, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has invested over USD 100 billion in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere. The current financial crisis further highlights the role of Chinese bond investment in the US economy and prompts questions about whether Chinese investment in equities or other assets would be helpful as well. Some in the US Congress are concerned that China will stop buying American bonds. At the same time, there is alarm over the extension of Chinese investment beyond bonds in the US and around the globe.

Heritage Experts on American Leadership

Media Information Line: (202) 675-1761

James

James Jay Carafano Ph.D.

Assistant Director, Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies and Senior Research Fellow , Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies

Lisa

Lisa Curtis

Senior Research Fellow , Asian Studies Center

Helle

Helle C. Dale

Deputy Director, Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies and Director , Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies

Lee

Lee Edwards Ph.D.

Distinguished Fellow in Conservative Thought , B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies

Nile

Nile Gardiner Ph.D.

Director, Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom , The Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies

Steven

Steven Groves

Bernard and Barbara Lomas Fellow , The Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom

Kim

Kim R. Holmes Ph.D.

Vice President, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies and Director, The Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies

Anthony

Anthony B. Kim

Policy Analyst , Center for International Trade and Economics (CITE)

Bruce

Bruce Klingner

Senior Research Fellow , Asian Studies Center

Walter

Walter Lohman

Director , Asian Studies Center

Daniella

Daniella Markheim

Jay Van Andel Senior Analyst in Trade Policy , Center for International Trade and Economics (CITE)

Sally

Sally McNamara

Senior Policy Analyst in European Affairs , Margaret Thatcher Center For Freedom

Ambassador

Ambassador Terry Miller

Director , Center for International Trade and Economics (CITE)

James

James M. Roberts

Research Fellow For Economic Freedom and Growth , Center for International Trade and Economics (CITE)

Brett

Brett D. Schaefer

Jay Kingham Fellow in International Regulatory Affairs in the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom , The Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies

undefinedThe 2009 Index of Economic Freedom covers 183 countries across 10 specific freedoms such as trade freedom, business freedom, investment freedom, and property rights. View scores and rankings for any country, along with detailed data and background analysis.

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undefined In his new book, Liberty’s Best Hope: American Leadership for the 21st Century, former Assistant Secretary of State Kim R. Holmes of The Heritage Foundation challenges those who say that America’s leadership star has crested, and who argue that the only way to restore its image and influence in the world is to accept defeat in Iraq, defer more often to the United Nations, and hold international conferences with rogue states that threaten peace and stability. Dr. Holmes challenges these assumptions in an analysis that Lady Margaret Thatcher has called “insightful, and on some occasions … uncomfortable,” while providing “a sharp and informed blueprint to guide future decision-makers.” Read More...

American Leadership on The Morning Bell