Alliances

The United States cannot remain a global leader unless it modernizes its alliances and international associations. America needs international institutions, alliances, and a multilateral diplomacy worthy of a great power that is dedicated to the advancement of freedom and security.

HIGHLIGHTS

Our Research & Offerings on Alliances
  • Play Movie Nile Gardiner on Obama and the UK on FNC Video Recorded on May 25, 2011 Nile Gardiner on Obama and the UK on FNC

    Nile Gardiner discusses Obama's visit to the UK. …

  • Backgrounder posted December 10, 2010 by Sally McNamara NATO Summit 2010: Time to Turn Words Into Action

    Abstract: NATO has adopted its first Strategic Concept of the 21st century. Much has changed since the last concept was adopted in 1999, including the first and only invocation of the alliance’s…

  • First Principles Series Report posted December 6, 2010 by Marion Smith The Myth of Isolationism, Part 1: American Leadership and the Cause of Liberty

    Abstract: American statecraft has been grounded, both morally and philosophically, in the principles of human liberty and America’s sense of justice. Thus, the true consistency of American foreign policy is to be found not in its policies, which…

  • Lecture posted November 29, 2010 by Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D., Henry R. Nau, Ph.D., Helle Dale The Obama Doctrine: Hindering American Foreign Policy

    Abstract: The President has not yet defined the Obama Doctrine but its features are emerging through his statements and actions. These include a growing reliance on international organizations, a greater sense of humility about American values and foreign policy achievements, a reliance on foreign…

  • Backgrounder posted October 21, 2010 by Helle Dale, Ariel Cohen, Ph.D. The U.S. Takes “New Europe” for Granted at its Own Peril

    Abstract: The nations of “New Europe” have been staunch allies of the United States in the aftermath of 9/11, and have sacrificed resources and soldiers’ lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Again and again, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have shown their…

  • Backgrounder posted September 1, 2010 by Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D., James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. Defining the Obama Doctrine, Its Pitfalls, and How to Avoid Them

    Abstract: President Barack Obama has said that America would reach out to other countries as “an equal partner” rather than as the “exceptional” nation that many before him had embraced; that “any world order that elevates one nation…

  • Commentary posted August 10, 2010 by Ariel Cohen, Ph.D. Reset the Russian Reset Policy

    Russian President Dmitry Medvedev recently proclaimed Eurasia a Russian "sphere of exclusive interests." Moscow has backed up those words with every available foreign-policy tool: diplomacy (including recognition of breakaway republics), arms sales, defense pacts, base construction—even regime change. This month marks the second anniversary of the…

  • Commentary posted July 20, 2010 by Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D. Britain's David Cameron Must Tell Obama the Truth

    In a relationship, troubles never come one at a time. The Anglo-American Special Relationship is no different.  Obama’s early discourtesies – the ejection of Winston Churchill from the Oval Office, the gift of incompatible DVDs to Gordon Brown,…

  • Commentary posted July 15, 2010 by Bruce Klingner More political stalemate for Japan

    A year ago, the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) landslide victory in the Lower House election ushered in euphoric predictions of bold new policies and even a transformation of the Japanese political system. There were widespread hopes that the DPJ would break the streak of Japan's revolving door of short-lived leaders.…

  • Commentary posted July 12, 2010 by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. Fumbling Hands Reach Across the Sea

    On June 1, 1785, once bitter enemies met face to face. John Adams, the firebrand who helped spark the revolution, appeared before King George as the official representative of the newly established United States of America. The meeting was as tense as it was…

Find more work on Alliances
  • Backgrounder posted September 1, 2010 by Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D., James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. Defining the Obama Doctrine, Its Pitfalls, and How to Avoid Them

    Abstract: President Barack Obama has said that America would reach out to other countries as “an equal partner” rather than as the “exceptional” nation that many before him had embraced; that “any world order that elevates one nation…

  • Backgrounder posted December 10, 2010 by Sally McNamara NATO Summit 2010: Time to Turn Words Into Action

    Abstract: NATO has adopted its first Strategic Concept of the 21st century. Much has changed since the last concept was adopted in 1999, including the first and only invocation of the alliance’s…

  • Commentary posted May 17, 2010 by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D. The Special Relationship Strikes Back

    Just two months ago, the Special Relationship was written off by its critics as an anachronism, supposedly dying a slow but painful death, hand in hand with British decline. The Labour-dominated House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee effectively declared it to be dead, and recommended the phrase be dropped altogether…

  • Commentary posted July 15, 2010 by Bruce Klingner More political stalemate for Japan

    A year ago, the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) landslide victory in the Lower House election ushered in euphoric predictions of bold new policies and even a transformation of the Japanese political system. There were widespread hopes that the DPJ would break the streak of Japan's revolving door of short-lived leaders.…

  • Commentary posted May 20, 2010 by Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D., Ray Walser, Ph.D. What We Shouldn't Be Doing to 'Help' Mexico

    Mexican President Felipe Calderón is in Washington for a two day state visit from May 19-20. He and President Obama have a lot to talk about, ranging from reaffirming a shared commitment to the North American Free Trade Agreement to the vital need for both countries to emphasize competitiveness, technological…

  • Commentary posted July 20, 2010 by Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D. Britain's David Cameron Must Tell Obama the Truth

    In a relationship, troubles never come one at a time. The Anglo-American Special Relationship is no different.  Obama’s early discourtesies – the ejection of Winston Churchill from the Oval Office, the gift of incompatible DVDs to Gordon Brown,…

  • Commentary posted April 5, 2010 by Edwin Feulner, Ph.D. How to Alienate Allies and Flatter Foes

    In Israel a few weeks ago, Vice President Joe Biden was embarrassed when his hosts announced plans for new housing in a disputed area of Jerusalem. It’s certainly a breach of diplomatic protocol to announce a controversial project while an ally is visiting. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu realized…

  • Commentary posted June 9, 2010 by Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D. On the Road to re-Carterizing America

    Twice in modern U.S. history, irresponsible foreign policies have invited huge and costly disasters. The isolationism of the 1920s and 30s yielded World War II. And Jimmy Carter's 1970s experiment of putting a happy face on American power (much like we see happening today) wound up with…

  • Commentary posted July 12, 2010 by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. Fumbling Hands Reach Across the Sea

    On June 1, 1785, once bitter enemies met face to face. John Adams, the firebrand who helped spark the revolution, appeared before King George as the official representative of the newly established United States of America. The meeting was as tense as it was…

  • Commentary posted March 1, 2010 by Brett Schaefer More Harm than Good

    he United Nations’s emphasis on working with and through governments can horribly undermine its efforts to alleviate suffering -- especially when governments are key drivers of the suffering to begin with. A Foreign Policy…

Find more work on Alliances
  • Backgrounder posted December 10, 2010 by Sally McNamara NATO Summit 2010: Time to Turn Words Into Action

    Abstract: NATO has adopted its first Strategic Concept of the 21st century. Much has changed since the last concept was adopted in 1999, including the first and only invocation of the alliance’s…

  • First Principles Series Report posted December 6, 2010 by Marion Smith The Myth of Isolationism, Part 1: American Leadership and the Cause of Liberty

    Abstract: American statecraft has been grounded, both morally and philosophically, in the principles of human liberty and America’s sense of justice. Thus, the true consistency of American foreign policy is to be found not in its policies, which…

  • Backgrounder posted October 21, 2010 by Helle Dale, Ariel Cohen, Ph.D. The U.S. Takes “New Europe” for Granted at its Own Peril

    Abstract: The nations of “New Europe” have been staunch allies of the United States in the aftermath of 9/11, and have sacrificed resources and soldiers’ lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Again and again, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have shown their…

  • Backgrounder posted September 1, 2010 by Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D., James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. Defining the Obama Doctrine, Its Pitfalls, and How to Avoid Them

    Abstract: President Barack Obama has said that America would reach out to other countries as “an equal partner” rather than as the “exceptional” nation that many before him had embraced; that “any world order that elevates one nation…

  • WebMemo posted February 25, 2010 by Brett Schaefer The U.S. Should Set Rigorous Standards for U.N. Aid to North Korea

    Although Iran’s attempt to develop a nuclear weapon is garnering most of the world’s attention, the U.S. should not lose sight of the fact that North Korea already successfully detonated two nuclear devices on October 9, 2006, and May 25, 2009. Indeed, the U.S. believes North Korea has…

  • Backgrounder posted February 18, 2010 by Marion Smith An Inconvenient Founding: America's Principles Applied to the ICC

    Abstract: The Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are fundamentally incompatible with the political and constitutional principles of the United States. For example, the rights to trial by jury, a speedy trial, and the presumption of innocence are conspicuously…

  • WebMemo posted September 27, 2008 by John Tkacik, Jr. Taiwan's Defense Hobbled by U.S. Arms "Freeze"

    The word is sweeping Washington -- or at least the Taiwan-watchers in Washington (including those in the Chinese embassy) -- that the Bush Administration is continuing its "freeze" of eight major defense packages necessary to Taiwan's security. President Bush's failure to submit congressional notifications for the multibillion-dollar Taiwanese arms tranche…

  • WebMemo posted April 24, 2006 by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D. Forging a U.S.-British Coalition to End Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program

    Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's latest threats against Israel, combined with his announcement that Iran has successfully enriched uranium and joined the 'nuclear club,' has greatly escalated the stakes in the confrontation between the West and Tehran. Ahmadinejad's statements that Israel was "heading towards annihilation" and that the Middle East "would soon be liberated,"…

  • WebMemo posted July 18, 2005 by Dana Dillon Crisis in the Philippines: What does it mean for the U.S.?

    Caught on tape discussing her reelection with an election official, and with her husband allegedly involved in a gambling scam, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is in political hot water and may not finish her term. Ten members of Arroyo's Cabinet, including key members of her economic team, recently resigned from their posts, urging that…

  • WebMemo posted May 17, 2004 by Dana Dillon Elections in the Philippines: No Reason To Get Excited

    On May 10, Filipinos went to the polls and re-elected President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, but her victory does not change the systemic weaknesses responsible for many of the Philippines' problems. During Arroyo's next term, security and economic issues will continue to dominate the U.S.-Philippine relationship. Given the recurring nature of these problems, the Bush administration…

Find more work on Alliances
Find more work on Alliances