Printable Version

America and the World

As a preview of some of the major foreign policy issues  likely to dominate President Obama's first term in office, the Center for National Policy hosted a discussion with two distinguished statesmen and the co-authors of the book America and the World: Conversations on the Future of American Foreign Policy, Dr. Zibigniew Brzezinski and General Brent Scowcroft.  Dr. Brzezinski held the post of National Security Advisor under President Carter and is currently a counselor and trustee at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, authoring numerous books including Second Chance: Three Presidents and the Crisis of American Superpower (2007).  General Scowcroft served as National Security Advisor under Presidents Ford and George H.W. Bush.  From 2001 until 2004, Gen. Scowcroft served as the chairman of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board and is currently the President of the Scowcroft Group.

This discussion followed a conversational question-and-answer format, with Congressman Roemer posing questions to the two speakers on their impressions of 9/11, the situations in Iran, Iraq and Pakistan, the applicability of international institutions to 21st century problems, and the efficiency and effectiveness of an expanded National Security Council.  General Scowcroft and Dr. Brzezinski both agreed that 9/11 represented the culmination of a number of trends in globalization that have been rapidly growing since the end of the Cold War. The challenge, according to Dr. Brzezinski, is how governments can "creatively and constructively lead… without becoming dependent on the use of force, on unilateral actions, and eventually on being isolated."  General Scowcroft described the post-Cold War security environment as being a world of "100 pin pricks," in which seemingly minor security concerns can become major crises overnight.

On the issue of international institutions, Dr. Brzezinski argued that the United Nations as a global institution is fundamentally out of sync with current international realities such as the prominent place in the international system held by Japan and the rise of emerging powers like India. General Scowcroft agreed that organizations such as the United Nations and the Bretton Woods agreement were in serious need of reform, but reminded the audience that in a globalized world, universalized international organizations are a necessity.  

Both speakers discussed the need to reduce the size of the National Security Council.  Dr. Brzezinski argued that the NSC should be a smaller advisory institution of 30-40 members, rather than the operating institution of 120 members that it grew to be under the Clinton and Bush administrations. Gen. Scowcroft agreed, arguing that the purpose of the NSC is to bring the sometimes divergent approaches of the Defense and State Departments together to give the President a comprehensive view of a given policy, not to form foreign policy itself.  

On the subject of Iraq, Gen. Scowcroft claimed that while he was hesitant about supporting the Iraq War's justification and execution, he nevertheless supported a withdrawal which was cautious, responsible, and based on tangible results, rather than an artificial timetable.  Dr. Brzezinski agreed that any preemptive strike should only be conducted under the guidance of certain intelligence, and substantive international participation, but argued that a set date for withdrawal allows the government to set priorities and establish a dialogue on the parameters of an American departure.  

Brzezinski went on to apply his point to Iran, claiming that a military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities would complicate our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, while plunging the Persian Gulf into instability and threatening the world's oil supply.  Gen. Scowcroft agreed, advocating engagement on both Iran's nuclear issue, and Iran's role in the greater Middle East.  This includes recognizing that Iran has legitimate security issues in the region, and that the international community must provide Iran with some legitimate, alternative means to acquire nuclear fuel.  

Congressman Roemer concluded the discussion with an emphasis on China.  Here, Gen. Scowcroft expressed optimism on the overall state of Sino-American relations, arguing that despite the issue of Taiwan, both China and America share a common view and that strengthening their relationship is in their mutual self-interest.  Dr. Brzezinski concurred, claiming that the Sino-American trade imbalance creates a "strange equilibrium," which benefits both parties.  If it would be suddenly disrupted, either by punitive legislation on the American side, or social upheaval on the Chinese side, it would have disastrous effects for both countries.