America may need to gauge how and when human-rights concerns are raised with others, recognizing that human rights may not always be the most prominent feature of our diplomatic relations. But, to say that human rights exist only as a “moral" consideration in policy overlooks an issue that may prove to be of significant security concern, and currently serves as a barometer of our strength and confidence as a nation. Luckily, there are a variety of creative means that will allow the United States to build a positive record of engagement on human rights without wagging our fingers or consistently provoking partners. Rather than asking human-rights advocates to “get tough,” it may be time to ask realists to “get smart” and help the country develop new options for integrating rights into national-security policies.

Daniel R. Mahanty is the Acting Director of the Office of Near Eastern Affairs in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the U.S. Department of State. He has 14 years of public service, and is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations. The views expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Government.

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