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On Defense, France Bites the Bullet, But Avoids Strategic Insolvency May 7, 2013
Iceland’s Recovery Saga Presents Opportunities for Brussels, Washington—and Beijing May 6, 2013
Which Way Forward for Europe’s Hybrid Regimes? May 2, 2013
The Arab Revolts and the Liberal Order May 2, 2013
Events
Andrew Light Speaker Tour in Europe May 14, 2013 / Berlin, Germany; Brussels, BelgiumGMF Senior Fellow Andrew Light participated in a speaking tour in Europe to discuss opportunities for transatlantic cooperation on climate and energy policy in the second Obama administration.
In this podcast, GMF Vice President of Programs Ivan Vejvoda discusses last month's historic agreement to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
Anchor Elaine Reyes speaks with Andrew Small, Transatlantic Fellow of the Asia Program for the German Marshall Fund, about Beijing's potential role in brokering peace between Israel and Palestine
A Comeback in Asia? How China is Shaping U.S. Foreign Policy in the Pacific
February 17, 2011 / Niels Annen
FES
Debates about America being in decline are nothing new in the history of the United States, but the extent of pessimism currently shaping the foreign policy debate in Washington is remarkable. This time it’s for real was how Gideon Rachman subtitled a recent article for Foreign Policy on American decline.
In his new book The Frugal Superpower Johns Hopkins Professor Michael Mandelbaum points to a growing consensus that a combination of a staggering deficit, little innovation and a notorious lack of investment will oblige the U.S. to reduce its footprint in the world.
Mandelbaum also insists that America, thanks to its skilful policies, its soft power and, when required, its military might has in many ways functioned like a world government. He fears, however, that unavoidable cuts in military spending and a reduced U.S. footprint will make the world a less governable place.
The U.S. presence in the Pacific has for the past 60 years functioned like a world government to the region. In a manner rather akin to that of the British Navy in the 18th century, the U.S. naval presence has played and is continuing to play a crucial role in U.S. power posturing and has kept the main trading routes open. Given the fact that 90 percent of global commerce and two-thirds of all petroleum travels by sea, this is a vital contribution to worldwide stability and growth. In addition, in many regional conflicts, the U.S. has played the role of an arbiter or a deterrent – as in the case of Taiwanese military aggression.
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