What are the US National Interests Flashcards
What are National Interests?
Are the goals and objectives of foreign and domestic policy, used as an all-embracing concept to describe, inform, and justify policy preferences and actions
For example, all states have a common interest – maintaining their sovereignty, national security and meeting the needs of their citizens
Four key categories through which national interests are framed
- NATIONAL SECURITY – defending the integrity of a state’s physical borders in order to guarantee its survival as a territorial entity and ensure the safety and protection of its citizens
- ECONOMIC PROSPERITY – a state’s interest in trading globally and accessing geo-strategic resources in order to generate wealth and material wellbeing for its citizens. Many states retain an interest in becoming economically prosperous in part because it can further other national interests
For example: a wealthy state will be able to invest more money into defence (advancing its national security interests) and trade (building better relationships with other states)
- REGIONAL RELATIONSHIPS – a state’s interest in maintaining positive interactions between itself and its geographical neighbours
- INTERNATIONAL STANDING – a state’s interest in maintaining a good reputation within the broader international community. This depends largely on its conduct in global affairs, its ability to uphold prevailing international norms, and – more recently – the effectiveness with which it can use soft power
What are the four vital national interests of the US?
provide a key quote
I. Protect the homeland, the American people, and American way of life (national security)
“President Trump (July 2017) – “We will defend our country, protect our communities, and put the safe of the American people first”
“We will strengthen control of our borders and reform our immigration system to protect the homeland and restore our sovereignty”
II. Promote American prosperity (economic prosperity)
“A strong economy protects the American people, supports our way of life, and sustains American power”
“rejuvenate the American economy for the benefit of American workers and companies, which is necessary to restore our national power” = economic prosperity – putting America first
“America will no longer tolerate chronic trade abuses and will pursue free, fair, and reciprocal economic relationships”
III. Preserve peace through strength (national security, international standing & regional relationships)
“An America strengthened, renewed, and rejuvenated will ensure peace and deter hostility”
Achieves this goal by modernising and rebuilding America’s armed forces - “We will rebuild America’s military strength to ensure it remains second to none” – ensures protection of national security, and capitalises on international standing in the global political arena
IV. Advance American influence (regional relationships and international standing)
“We must continue to enhance our influence overseas to protect the American people and promote our prosperity”
“America will seek partnerships with like-minded states to promote free-market economies, private sector growth, political stability, and peace”
“Our America First foreign policy celebrates America’s influence in the world as a positive force that can help set the conditions for peace, prosperity, and the development of successful societies”
What are the key components of pillar I?
1. DETER TRANSNATIONAL THREATS: target these threats at their source – in order to confront threats before they reach American borders or cause harm to its citizens
- Jihadist terrorists - exploit vulnerable populations and inspire and direct plots
- Transnational criminal organizations - drugs, violence, corrupting democratic institutions
2. TECHNOLOGY: expanding access to necessary resources and technology to protect its critical infrastructure and domestic networks as “new technology and new adversaries create new vulnerabilities”
3. MILITARY: “We are deploying a layered missile defence system to defend America against missile attacks”
- North Korea seeks the capability to kill millions of Americans with nuclear weapons
- February 2018 – two-year budget deal raising the militaries budget caps for national defence to $700 billion for fiscal year 2018 and $716 for fiscal year 2019 = 10% increase from 2017
- Mostly directed to fuelling missile defence capacity
- Modernisation of nuclear forces ensures that the US deterrent is modern, robust, flexible, ready, and resilient
- 2018 National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) – authorised important priorities for defence spendin
4. COMBATTING TERRORISM: is vital to defeat threats to national security and preserving the safety of its citizens
- Iraq: By working with local forces and giving commanders on the ground increased flexibility, US has almost defeated ISIS
- Since President Trump took office, ISIS has lost nearly 100% of the territory it once controlled in Iraq and Syria
5. BORDER SECURITY: border wall designed to help secure southwest border
- Ensures national security by deterring illegal immigration - Protects communities from threats such as MS-13 and other Transnational gangs - Border patrol arrested 536 gang affiliated illegal aliens in FY 2017 – more than 40 of which were affiliated with MS-13
- 2018 framework includes $25 billion for the border wall system
What are the key components of pillar II?
1. FOREIGN POLICY ON TRADE: no longer willing to accept concessions on trade for the ‘greater good’ or increased trade liberalisation and global interdependence
- = a realist stance towards future and existing trade deals
- altering geopolitical conditions of the 21st century requires a revision of economic goals and FTA’s to achieve economic prosperity
- Trump had pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and said he’ll do the same with the Paris climate accord
- In April 2017 President Trump requested a renegotiation of the terms of the NAFTA agreement
- Decision to impose tariffs of allies in Europe and Canada
July 6th, 2018 the U.S. launched a trade war with China – imposed tariffs on US$34 billion worth of Chinese products due to a 25% import tax on Chinese products entering the US
2. “ECONOMIC SECURITY IS NATIONAL SECURITY” -2018 NSS
- such that Trump aimed at implementing policies that jumpstart job creation and strengthen the country’s economic base
- Blames NAFTA for wiping out many US manufacturing jobs because it allowed companies to move factories to Mexico where labour is cheaper (in 2013 700,000 jobs were lost as production moved to Mexico)
What are the key components of pillar III?
1. MODERNISING AND REBUILDING AMERICA’S ARMED FORCES: rebuild America’s military strength to ensure it remains second to none
- ensures protection of national security, and capitalises on international standing in the global political arena
2. EXPECT ALLIES TO TAKE GREATER RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADDRESSING COMMON THREATS: regional relationships
- America’s allies and partners magnify their power and protect shared interests
3. ENSURE THE BALANCE OF POWER REMAINS IN AMERICA’S FAVOUR IN KEY REGIONS: the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East - maintaining power and influence in these key regions
- US Allies: US has more formal allies in the Asia-Pacific region than any other state
- The US and Japan: cornerstone of US security interests in Asia and is fundamental to regional stability and prosperity
- Australia, New Zealand and US Security Treaty (ANZUS) serves as the foundation of defence and security cooperation between the two states, paving the way for even closer defence and security cooperatio
4. COMBATTING TERRORISM: President Trump is making clear to America’s allies that peace cannot be sustained if they support or condone terror**
- As of January 2018, US has suspended security assistance to Pakistan, sending a message to aid recipients that they must fully join the US in combatting terrorism
What are the key components of pillar IV?
1. PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND PROMOTE PROSPERITY: diplomatic and development efforts will compete to achieve better outcomes in all arenas - bilateral & multilateral
- protect interests, find new economic opportunities, and challenge our competitors = use of foreign policy instruments to enhance power and influence of America
2. SEEK PARTNERSHIPS WITH LIKEMINDED STATES = focus on bilateral trade and security deals “America first”
- promote free market economies, private sector growth, political stability, and peace
- America’s role as a leading influence in the global political arena has justified the benefits of developing “regional relations with countries that share our goals and interests”
