Why U.S. Leadership Still Matters

Editor’s Note

Jonathan Tepperman

The Case for Engagement

The Taylor Swift doctrine

Ken Hersh, Will Hurd

Watching America’s greatest pop star in action offers clues about how the United States can get its mojo back.

How to remain the innovation nation

J.H. Cullum Clark

America has long dominated science and technology. But misguided policies risk squandering that lead.

Strengthening the backbone

Scott Carpenter

Why the United States must double down on a free and open internet.

The fight to keep the world free

David J. Kramer

The struggle for human rights remains as important as ever – and the United States must show the way.

Interview You can’t cut yourself off from the 21st century: A conversation with Toomas Hendrik Ilves

The former President of Estonia on the need for U.S. leadership in Europe and around the world.

Engaging Africa on its own terms

Jendayi Frazer

By working with Africans, Washington can fight Chinese influence, boost the global economy, and shore up the liberal order. But only if it makes the continent a priority.

Primacy requires partners

Kay Bailey Hutchison

To remain preeminent, the United States must strengthen its alliances and work to build trust.

The overlooked Americas

Antonio Garza

By neglecting its own hemisphere, the United States misses out on economic opportunities and an alignment of issues in the region.

We must not abandon Afghanistan again

Natalie Gonnella-Platts

Despite the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the West can still improve the lives of oppressed Afghans – if it commits and moves fast.