American Leadership Policy Studies and Research | Leadership for America

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.

Europe Anti-Missile Defense System: Standing Up to Russia's Threats

November 20, 2008

The Obama Administration should reject Russia's missile threats and resist Russian pressure, if only to avoid the appearance of weakness and to discourage Russia's strategic revisionism

By Ariel Cohen

Reforming U.S. Public Diplomacy for the 21st Century

November 20, 2008

U.S. government institutions tasked with strategic communications have lacked the leadership and resources necessary to do their job and have operated with virtually no interagency coordination. Congress and the President should create an institutional framework and strategy that includes a new U.S. Agency for Strategic Communications, substantial reforms of the Department of State, and greater utilization of the Pentagon's combatant commands.

By Tony Blankley, Helle C. Dale, and Oliver Horn

China Gets Greener? Power and Growth Data Cannot Be Trusted

November 19, 2008

In October, China's power consumption declined for the first time this decade. The data supporting such a conclusion are slippery, to say the least. Consequently, there are compelling reasons to be skeptical of both the power consumption numbers and, perhaps more important, GDP.

By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.

Why the U.S. Should Oppose

November 10, 2008

The U.N. has passed several "defamation of religions" resolutions over the past 10 years seeking to establish an international ban on speech that disparages religion. Such a ban would not withstand legal scrutiny under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. government should resist any attempt to legitimize the "defamation of religions" concept.

By Steven Groves

Stand by Indonesia in its Struggle for a Just and Civilized Humanity

November 9, 2008

The executions of the 2002 Bali Bombers are a grim milestone in Indonesia’s struggle against extremism and terrorism. The decision to impose capital punishment was not easily made. In a democratic country where terrorists cloak themselves in the religious values of the Islamic majority, all but the strongest politicians are tempted to accommodate extremism. But Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono—often criticized for indecisiveness—and the Indonesian justice system—frequently characterized as weak—held firm. For holding firm in its fight, Indonesia deserves American support

By Walter Lohman

Why Spending Stimulus Plans Fail

November 19, 2008

Congressional Democrats are now demanding another economic stimulus package to "inject" as much as $300 billion into the economy. The package will fail -- just like last year's $333 billion in emergency spending and $150 billion in tax rebates failed. There's a simple reason why.

By Brian M. Riedl

Congress Declares War on Taxpayers

November 18, 2008

This week on Capitol Hill, we expect to see at least two specious ideas up for consideration -- a bad stimulus package and an ill-advised automaker bailout.

By Brian Darling

Rebuild economic confidence by reforming entitlements

November 18, 2008

Washington may bail out Wall Street. But who will bail out Washington?

By Robert Bixby, Stuart Butler and Isabel Sawhill

Conservatism's death: Greatly exaggerated

November 14, 2008

The biggest problem facing America's conservatives isn't our "progressive" president-elect or the liberal leaders controlling Congress. It's defeatism.

By Ernest Istook

U.S.: Why we are All Winners

November 14, 2008

What are we to make of this epic election? Are we really, as some contend, a country torn between "red" and "blue" America. Are there truly "patriotic" and "unpatriotic" quarters? A closer look at our country's history reveals otherwise.

By Israel Ortega

Protectionism Promotion

11/20/2008

There are already so many good reasons Congress should deny the Big Three a bailout, but the cost it will inflict on America’s free trade leadership could be the most dire. The Wall Street Journal’s Matt Slaughter writes: Will a U.S.-government bailout go ignored by policy makers abroad? No. A bailout will likely entrench and expand protectionist Read More...

Schwab: Colombia Trade Deal Is the Best Stimulus Package

11/17/2008

The Club For Growth interviewed U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab for its new podcast. Among the topics discussed were the Columbia Free Trade Agreement, trade relations with China, the G20 meetings that took place over the weekend, and President Bush’s free trade legacy. Schwab had this to say about the Colombia Free Trade Agreement: If you want a Read More...

Understanding Russia’s Financial Crisis

11/17/2008

MOSCOW — The financial turmoil in Russia might not be all-embracing yet, but some of its features suggest its gloomy prospects. Big business’ lack of confidence in national economy is what primarily strikes the eye. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting last week, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin unveiled scandalous information concerning the bank giants — government bailout Read More...

China’s Public Relations Stunt

11/15/2008

Derek Scissors, a research fellow for Asia economic policy, says the world leaders meeting in Washington for the G-20 summit should view China’s stimulus package as an expensive public relations move. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSB28WHrv7U

Minimal Regulation Key to African Growth

11/13/2008

After extensive discussion and debate, the 6th African Resource Bank concluded with the group agreeing to a number of consensus positions on how African nations can better utilize their natural resources to raise the living standards of their people. While there are too many to cover in full, a couple of major themes arose. The overall Read More...