Why America Must Remain Engaged Abroad

Published February 23, 2021

Some believe that the presence of the United States in foreign countries is the principal cause of the world’s problems. They maintain that America should pursue a foreign policy strategy of retrenchment, but history makes clear that US disengagement is costlier than sustained engagement. Global support for democracy and the rule of law continues to be the best means of promoting worldwide peace.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some historical examples of US disengagement in foreign policy?
2. What do Americans stand for? What must American leaders defend?

Additional Resources:

• Read Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World, by H. R. McMaster. Available here.
• Watch Battlegrounds: International Perspectives on Crucial Challenges to Security and Prosperity, a video series with H. R. McMaster. Available here.
• Listen to “Defending the Free World,” an episode of the GoodFellows podcast with H. R. McMaster. Available here.