In recent years we have seen, regretfully, that on the critical foreign policy issues of the day (Iraq, Iran, China, North Korea, the Lebanese crisis and so on) there is too little real debate, often simply bumper sticker clichés reflecting American domestic politics more than complex and contradicting international realities. Groupthink is not an appropriate way for the world’s remaining superpower to forge policy.
Other nations and movements have their own perspectives and priorities. Some of them are outright unacceptable and need to be vigorously resisted. But all need to be objectively evaluated if we want to succeed in the world arena.
This is what The National Interest online seeks: to provide a space for vigorous debate and exchange not only among Americans but between U.S. and overseas interlocutors. This is the new home for informed analysis and frank but reasoned exchanges on foreign policy and international affairs.
(All contributions to The National Interest whether its online or print editions reflect only the view of the individual authors whether they are outside contributors or affiliated with the magazine. The only articles which can be described as reflecting an editorial position taken by The National Interest are the Realist columns, which are reviewed and approved collectively by the magazine’s senior editors and publishers, or unsigned editorials clearly identified as such.)