Don't Wait for the Next War

We need a strategy resting on a foundation of fear, but also claiming for the United States the moral "high ground" of saving mankind.

We need a strategy resting on a foundation of fear, but also claiming for the United States the moral "high ground" of saving mankind. Five key challenges confront the United States: terrorism, cybersecurity, financial system vulnerabilities, China's rise, and climate change. These interconnected issues require a comprehensive, long-term strategy that goes beyond military solutions. Unlike past threats like the Soviet Union, these challenges cannot be addressed through containment or deterrence alone. The strategy must: Unite Americans around a common purpose without relying on war Balance economic growth with environmental responsibility Leverage America's strengths in innovation and entrepreneurship Enhance cooperation with allies while managing competition with rivals Address domestic political divisions that undermine US influence abroad A new national strategy is essential to reverse America's perceived decline and restore its global leadership role. By focusing on these long-term challenges, the US can move beyond reactive crisis management to proactively shape the international order.

Energy independence would allow us to capture the $200 billion to $300 billion we spend each year importing petroleum. Economic renaissance. Achieving energy independence through increased domestic production of oil, natural gas, biofuels and other sources could add up to $700 billion to annual US GDP by 2020. This would create millions of jobs, reduce the trade deficit, and provide resources to address other national priorities. Key elements of Energy Independence Plus: Increase oil and gas production on federal lands Expand biofuels production to 36 billion gallons annually by 2022 Develop oil shale, gas-to-liquids, and coal-to-liquids technologies Export excess production to strengthen US influence in energy markets Coupling energy independence with a carbon tax to address climate change could unite competing interests and restore America's economic vitality. This "grand compromise" would leverage US energy resources in the near-term while transitioning to cleaner technologies long-term.

Although their capabilities are not yet—and perhaps never will be—sufficient to be considered "existential" to the United States, the various Islamist terrorist groups can wreak political and economic havoc abroad, and they could stage attacks that would have significant consequences for the United States. Evolving threat. While core Al-Qaeda has been degraded, affiliated groups have proliferated across 70 countries. The conflict in Syria has created a new generation of battle-hardened extremists who may eventually return to the West. Self-radicalization and "lone wolf" attacks present additional challenges. Counterterrorism priorities: Deny terrorist safe havens through targeted operations Undercut extremist ideologies and recruitment narratives Promote economic development in ungoverned spaces Enhance intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation Balance security measures with civil liberties and privacy protections Addressing root causes of terrorism requires patient,…