NEWSWEEK Cover: How to Fix the World
unique opportunity to push forward a vision that aligns its own interests and
ideals with those of most of the world’s major powers. But it is a fleeting
opportunity,” Newsweek International Editor
Zakaria argues that before last week’s terror attacks in
foreign policy had disappeared, overshadowed by the economic crisis. For
foreign policy to receive the appropriate attention, we must hope that
President Obama “does more than select a good team, delegate well, and react
intelligently to the problems he will confront. He must have his
administration build a broader framework through which to view the world and
America’s relations with it — a grand strategy,” Zakaria writes. This is a
rare moment in history, when a more responsive America could help bring
stability, prosperity and dignity to the lives of billions of people. “At
this time and for this man, there is a unique opportunity to use American
power to reshape the world. This is his moment. He should seize it.”
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081130/NYSU003 )
“Grand strategy sounds like an abstract concept — something academics
discuss — and one that bears little relationship to urgent, jarring events on
the ground. But in the absence of strategy, any administration will be driven
by the news, reacting rather than leading,” Zakaria writes. The creation of
Obama’s grand strategy will need to start with an accurate appraisal of the
world and the worrying aspects of the new international order, including
competition for resources like oil, food, commodities and water; climate
change; continued terrorist threats; and demographic shifts. “These changes
are taking place at every level and at great speed in the global system,”
Zakaria writes. “Such ferment is usually a recipe for instability. Sudden
shifts can trigger sudden actions — terrorist attacks, secessionist
outbreaks, nuclear brinkmanship.”
Zakaria believes the broad objective of
stabilize the current global order and to create mechanisms through which
change can be accommodated without overturning the international order. “The
world as it is organized today powerfully serves America’s interests and
ideals. The greater the openness of the global system, the better the
prospects for trade, commerce, contact, pluralism and liberty,” he writes. “I
will not exaggerate the importance of a single personality, but Obama has
become a global symbol like none I can recall in my lifetime … Were his
administration to demonstrate in its day-to-day conduct a genuine
understanding of other countries’ perspectives and an empathy for the
aspirations of people around the world, it could change America’s reputation
in lasting ways.”
Also in the cover package, five leading foreign-policy experts offer their
recommendations on dealing with some of the world’s most pressing challenges
in “The Things We Need to Do Now.”
(Read cover package at www.Newsweek.com)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/171249
SOURCE Newsweek