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Chapter VIII.  Develop Agendas for Cooperative Action with the Other Main Centers of Global Power

 Section C.  The Way Ahead

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             The struggle against militant Islamic radicalism is the great ideological conflict of the

             early years of the 21st century and finds the great powers all on the same side ­ opposing

             the terrorists.  This circumstance differs profoundly from the ideological struggles of the

             20th century, which saw the great powers divided by ideology as well as by national

             interest.  

             

             The potential for great power consensus presents the United States with an extraordinary

             opportunity.  Yet certain challenges must be overcome.  Some nations differ with us on

             the appropriate pace of change.  Other nations provide rhetorical support for free markets

             and effective democracy but little action on freedom's behalf.  

             

             Five principles undergird our strategy for relations with the main centers of global power.

                   

             ·  First, these relations must be set in their proper context.  Bilateral policies that ignore

                   regional and global realities are unlikely to succeed.

             

             ·  Second, these relations must be supported by appropriate institutions, regional and

                   global, to make cooperation more permanent, effective, and wide-reaching.  Where

                   existing institutions can be reformed to meet new challenges, we, along with our

                   partners, must reform them.  Where appropriate institutions do not exist, we, along

                   with our partners, must create them.

                   

             ·  Third, we cannot pretend that our interests are unaffected by states' treatment of their

                   own citizens.  America's interest in promoting effective democracies rests on an

                   historical fact:  states that are governed well are most inclined to behave well.  We

                   will encourage all our partners to expand liberty, and to respect the rule of law and

                   the dignity of the individual, as the surest way to advance the welfare of their people

                   and to cement close relations with the United States.

             

             ·  Fourth, while we do not seek to dictate to other states the choices they make, we do

                   seek to influence the calculations on which these choices are based.  We also must

                   hedge appropriately in case states choose unwisely.

                   

 

        National Security Strategy

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        ·  Fifth, we must be prepared to act alone if necessary, while recognizing that there is

             little of lasting consequence that we can accomplish in the world without the

             sustained cooperation of our allies and partners.  

                   

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