LEARN TO LEAD - Civil Air Patrol

way, and hundreds of billions of dollars dedicated tofunding these conflicts. In Iraq, we are sup-porting atransition of responsibility to the sovereign Iraqi Government.We are supporting the security and prosperityof our partners in Afghanistan and Pakistan as part of abroader campaign to disrupt, dismantle, and defeatal-Qa’ida and its violent extremist affiliates.Yet these wars—and our global efforts to successfullycounter violent extremism—are only one element of ourstrategic environment and cannot define America’s engagementwith the world. Terrorism is one of manythreats that are more consequential in a global age. Thegravest danger to the American people and global securitycontinues to come from weapons of mass destruction,particularly nuclear weapons. The space and cyberspacecapabilities that power our daily lives and military operationsare vulnerable to disruption and attack. Dependenceupon fossil fuels constrains our options and pollutes ourenvironment. Climate change and pandemic diseasethreaten the security of regions and the health and safetyof the American people. Failing states breed conflict andendanger regional and global security. Global criminalnetworks foment insecurity abroad and bring people andgoods across our own borders that threaten our people.The global economy is being reshaped by innovation,emerging economies, transition to low-carbon energy,and recovery from a catastrophic recession. The convergenceof wealth and living standards among developedand emerging economies holds out the promise of morebalanced global growth, but dramatic inequality persistswithin and among nations. Profound cultural and demographictensions, rising demand for resources, and rapidurbanization could reshape single countries and entireregions. As the world grows more interconnected, moreindividuals are gaining awareness of their universal rightsand have the capacity to pursue them. Democracies thatrespect the rights of their people remain successful statesand America’s most steadfast allies. Yet the advance ofdemocracy and human rights has stalled in many parts ofthe world.More actors exert power and influence. Europe is nowmore united, free, and at peace than ever before. The EuropeanUnion has deepened its integration. Russia hasreemerged in the international arena as a strong voice.China and India—the world’s two most populous nations—are becoming more engaged globally. From Latin Americato Africa to the Pacific, new and emerging powers holdout opportunities for partnership, even as a handful ofstates endanger regional and global security by floutinginterna¬tional norms. International institutions play acritical role in facilitating cooperation, but at times cannoteffectively address new threats or seize new opportunities.Meanwhile, individuals, corporations, and civil societyplay an increasingly important role in shapingevents around the world.The United States retains the strengths that have enabledour leadership for many decades. Our society is exceptionalin its openness, vast diversity, resilience, and engagedcitizenry. Our private sector and civil societyexhibit enormous ingenuity and innovation, and ourworkers are capable and dedicated. We have the world’slargest economy and most powerful military, strong alliancesand a vibrant cultural appeal, and a history ofleadership in economic and social development. We continueto be a destination that is sought out by immigrantsfrom around the world, who enrich our society. We havea transparent, accountable democracy and a dynamic andproductive populace with deep connections to peoplesaround the world. And we continue to embrace a set ofvalues that have enabled liberty and opportunity at homeand abroad.Now, the very fluidity within the international systemthat breeds new challenges must be approached as anopportunity to forge new international cooperation. Wemust rebalance our long-term priorities so that we successfullymove beyond today’s wars, and focus our attentionand resources on a broader set of countries andchallenges. We must seize on the opportunities affordedby the world’s interconnection, while responding effectivelyand comprehensively to its dangers. And we musttake advantage of the unparalleled connections thatAmerica’s Government, private sector, and citizens havearound the globe.THE STRATEGIC APPROACH—THE WORLD WE SEEKIn the past, the United States has thrived when both ournation and our national security policy have adapted toshape change instead of being shaped by it. For instance,as the industrial revolution took hold, America transformedour economy and our role in the world. When the worldwas confronted by fascism, America prepared itself towin a war and to shape the peace that followed. When theUnited States encountered an ideological, economic, andmilitary threat from communism, we shaped our practicesand institutions at home—and policies abroad—to meetthis challenge. Now, we must once again position theUnited States to champion mutual interests among nationsand peoples.Building Our FoundationOur national security begins at home. What takes place17