Leading in the New World

In his military intervention talk, Barack Obama addresses the graduating class at the United States Military Academy at West Point. The United States president asserts America is as strong as it has ever been, and the question is not whether it will lead in the next century, but how will it lead.

The changing world we live in poses both opportunity and danger. Between terrorism, China, Russia and competing middle classes there are many views on how to respond to this new world. While realists and interventionists both have legitimate perspectives, President Obama feels neither adequately covers the task at hand. His military intervention talk states the pursuit of freedom and tolerance is not only a moral imperative, but one that will keep Americans safe. Isolationism is not an option, but rushing into war is folly.

The head of state's bottom line is America must always lead on the world stage, or no one else will. While the military is a part of this leadership, it should not be the primary solution for every problem.