Bill Burns defines U.S. role in the world
During the presidential election campaign, Mitt Romney and his supporters repeatedly criticized the Obama administration for "leading from behind." But this morning at the Newseum, Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns offered an alternative description of the mission driving America’s conduct of foreign policy. We’re no longer living in a unipolar world, he conceded, but ...
During the presidential election campaign, Mitt Romney and his supporters repeatedly criticized the Obama administration for "leading from behind." But this morning at the Newseum, Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns offered an alternative description of the mission driving America's conduct of foreign policy.
During the presidential election campaign, Mitt Romney and his supporters repeatedly criticized the Obama administration for "leading from behind." But this morning at the Newseum, Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns offered an alternative description of the mission driving America’s conduct of foreign policy.
We’re no longer living in a unipolar world, he conceded, but America will continue to play a leading geopolitical role as a "stabilizer, balancer, and global architect." It’s a vision to keep in mind as we watch the Obama administration respond to international crises and craft foreign policy over the next four years.
When asked what global threat keeps him up at night, Burns cited the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction among state and non-state actors. On balancing strategic moves like the Asia pivot with turmoil in the Middle East, he noted that the "Middle East has a nasty habit of reminding us of its relevance."
Uri Friedman is deputy managing editor at Foreign Policy. Before joining FP, he reported for the Christian Science Monitor, worked on corporate strategy for Atlantic Media, helped launch the Atlantic Wire, and covered international affairs for the site. A proud native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he studied European history at the University of Pennsylvania and has lived in Barcelona, Spain and Geneva, Switzerland. Twitter: @UriLF
More from Foreign Policy
Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America
The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.
The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense
If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.
Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War
Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.
How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests
And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
