As we begin a new administration in Washington, it’s clear that the old way of doing things in American foreign policy needs to be critically evaluated and reconsidered. Core assumptions about why America is involved around the world and why it matters can no longer be taken for granted. The American people have spoken, and it’s time those of us committed to the “traditional” view of American foreign policy need to adapt. So that’s why we’ve decided to shift gears on this podcast with a new series that seeks to challenge long-held beliefs and worldviews about the international order and the “Washington Consensus.” “Why Are We Here” will take a critical look at America’s engagement in places all over the world and try to understand where it makes sense for America to engage, and where it makes sense to pull back our involvement.
In “Why Are We Here, Episode I: The Phantom Presence,” we take a very broad look at the U.S.-led international order that has been in place for over 75 years. The “Liberal International Order” as it’s known, is the set of global organizations like the U.N. and rules like “freedom of trade on the ocean” that America has, for the most part, tried to uphold (as opposed to just letting the strongest country do whatever it wants, they have to follow the rules we all agree to). Was this system really to our benefit? Was it all just an illusion of power?
