Is our Foreign Policy unsustainable?

2015-03-25T11:39:33-04:00

This is an interesting article from the blog War on the Rocks about the aspects of our foreign policy. It is well known that we outspend every developed country when it comes to the military. So, while we do get security from our large military and massive spending we have allowed our allies to essentially not defend themselves, and according to this article, have essentially discouraged our allies from having their own strong militaries so that we cannot be challenged by them.

However, with an ever increasing debt and the last 2 wars paid for on credit should we change our foreign policy to encourage military spending from our allies? Should we develop a foreign policy that requires less spending? Can we continue to police the world and not expect blowback? Or should we maintain our position as hegemon?

http://warontherocks.com/2015/03/our-unrealistic-foreign-policy/

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 11:51 AM

2015-03-25T11:51:48-04:00

We absolutely should change our policy to encourage spending by our allies. There are very few allies that spend as much on their military as we do (in comparison)...probably counted on one hand. This HAS lent to the idea that they do not need to build up a military because the Great Eagle will swoop in & save us.

The problem with this is that we are cutting our own force back manpower-wise, & trying to force new toys into service that shouldn't be forced. Those in charge don't necessarily listen to those on the ground in the know.

The problem with drawing back is, at what pace? Too fast will leave a vacuum likely taken up by people opposed to our views, and not just opposed to where they just want to talk things out.

Response by SGT Nia Chiaraluce made Mar 25 at 2015 11:55 AM

2015-03-25T11:55:50-04:00

Personally I don't think the foreign policy is unrealistic, I think it is all a matter of perspective and application. It is difficult from where I sit to gain the 360 view when I have seen multiple administrations fall short of promised goals or vision. Regardless of the intent and vision for our country it is always going to come down to the application and tangible steps taken by a united country first and foremost. Until we become less focused on outrageous responses and making opinions about senior administrators in power and shift focus on uniting a nation that is clearly divided most things that are briefed are going to appear to be "unrealistic".

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 25 at 2015 1:27 PM

2015-03-25T13:27:18-04:00

I would like to see us stop sending foreign aid since we are giving that in the form of a world wide military police. Then I would like to see us start collecting aid from other countries to help pay for our military.

Someone has to defend the world and it seems that has fallen to us.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 10:47 PM

2015-03-26T22:47:37-04:00

I think the better questions are: Does our foreign policy work? What strategic goals are we trying to meet? What are the metrics for success?

If the cost of our policy is providing the desired results than we should sustain it or try to reach the same results more efficiently. However, I would have a hard time believing that decreased influence in many strategic locations is our desired result. Therefore, our policy requires a great deal of examination both because it is very expensive but more importantly because it is not producing the desired outcome.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 5:37 PM

2015-05-11T17:37:47-04:00

Personally, I think our State Department as an institution has a very short memory and can hardly see past the end of its nose, much less anticipate long term goals. To many political appointees that attempt to make the world according to (name your president) who is often second guessed or applauded by politicians interested in their own re-election and the sizes of the donors' checks.
We train freedom fighters whom we later abandon and who become terrorists. We ask allies for support and often discreet help only to leaks the story later to our infotainment industry. And since they are our allies we put their leaders as top priority for our NSA. College students know that armies are good at conquering enemies but will always be defeated, in the long run, by the nations or peoples. The citation can go on for a long time, with some adjustments for occasional albeit short term success.
This is the story that caught my eye because of my personal interest. They were wrong of course to consent to this but nothing serves better our diplomacy than the constant leaks from the beltway.
http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-poland-cia-blacksite-20150510-story.html#page=1
I am sure the second Iraq war was a huge mistake (anyone still believing it was justified response to 9/11 should stop smoking pot now) and that only morally challenged folks still insist that the water boarding was not torture, and if it was, "they deserved it."
Now, I have not spend any time on things that went right in our FP because pretty soon that is all any patriot remembers, forgetting any mistakes, and the circle repeats itself when the next president wants to make the world in his or her image, like say, establish a beacon of democracy in the Middle East. We spend big money on many FP programs. I just think we do not get the return on investment that we uses to.
I think I managed to squeeze five or six "grievances" on how and why our FP is so bad. Do you think it should be more or less?

Poland feels sting of betrayal over CIA 'black site'

If there were screams, there was no one around to hear them.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 11 at 2015 7:24 PM

2015-05-11T19:24:11-04:00

The current paradigm is we provide 90% of the fighters, vehicles, and equipment. Our allied countries will provide a few thousand to a few hundred fighters. The cost of the two wars can easily hit 100 a billion a year. They also provide NGOs and billions of dollars. As we fight two wars, China and Russia are showing their imperial powers in the South China Sea and Ukraine respectively. I believe our allies should build up their militaries.