LEARN TO LEAD - Civil Air Patrol

helped to build our international system after World WarII and to bring about the globalization that came with theend of the Cold War, we must reengage the world on acomprehensive and sustained basis.Engagement begins with our closest friends and allies—from Europe to Asia; from North America to the MiddleEast. These nations share a common history of struggleon behalf of security, prosperity, and democracy. Theyshare common values and a common commitment to internationalnorms that recog-nize both the rights and responsibilitiesof all sovereign nations. America’s nationalsecurity depends on these vibrant alliances, and we mustengage them as active partners in addressing global andregional security priorities and harnessing new opportunitiesto advance common interests. For instance, we pursueclose and regular collaboration with our close alliesthe United Kingdom, France, and Germany on issues ofmutual and global concern.We will continue to deepen our cooperation with other21st century centers of influence—including China, India,and Russia—on the basis of mutual interests and mutualrespect. We will also pursue diplomacy and developmentthat supports the emergence of new and successful partners,from the Americas to Africa; from the Middle Eastto Southeast Asia. Our ability to advance constructive cooperationis essential to the security and prosperity ofspecific regions, and to facilitating global cooperation onissues ranging from violent extremism and nuclear proliferation,to climate change, and global economic instability—issuesthat challenge all nations, but that no onenation alone can meet.To adversarial governments, we offer a clear choice: abideby international norms, and achieve the political and economicbenefits that come with greater integration withthe international community; or refuse to accept thispathway, and bear the consequences of that decision,including greater isolation. Through engagement, we cancreate opportunities to resolve differences, strengthenthe international community’s support for our actions,learn about the intentions and nature of closed regimes,and plainly demonstrate to the publics within those nationsthat their governments are to blame for their isolation.Successful engagement will depend upon the effectiveuse and integration of different elements of Americanpower. Our diplomacy and development capabilities musthelp prevent conflict, spur eco¬nomic growth, strengthenweak and failing states, lift people out of poverty, combatclimate change and epidemic disease, and strengtheninstitutions of democratic governance. Our military willcontinue strengthening its capacity to partner with foreigncounterparts, train and assist security forces, and pursuemilitary-to-military ties with a broad range of governments.We will continue to foster economic and financialtransactions to advance our shared prosperity. And ourintelligence and law enforcement agencies must cooperateeffectively with foreign governments to anticipateevents, respond to crises, and provide safety and security.Finally, we will pursue engagement among peoples—notjust governments—around the world. The United StatesGovernment will make a sustained effort to engage civilsociety and citizens and facilitate increased connectionsamong the American people and peoples around theworld—through efforts ranging from public service andeducational exchanges, to increased commerce and privatesector partnerships. In many instances, these modesof engagement have a powerful and enduring impactbeyond our borders, and are a cost-effective way of projectinga positive vision of American leadership. Time andagain, we have seen that the best ambassadors for Americanvalues and interests are the American people—ourbusinesses, nongovernmental organizations, scientists,athletes, artists, military service members, and students.Facilitating increased international engagement outsideof government will help prepare our country to thrive in aglobal economy, while building the goodwill and relationshipsthat are invaluable to sus¬taining American leadership.It also helps leverage strengths that are unique toAmerica—our diversity and diaspora populations, ouropenness and creativity, and the values that our peopleembody in their own lives.PROMOTING A JUST AND SUSTAINABLEINTERNATIONAL ORDEROur engagement will underpin a just and sustainableinternational order—just, because it advances mutualinterests, protects the rights of all, and holds accountablethose who refuse to meet their responsibilities; sustainablebecause it is based on broadly shared norms andfosters collective action to address common challenges.This engagement will pursue an international order thatrecognizes the rights and responsibilities of all nations.As we did after World War II, we must pursue a rulesbasedinternational system that can advance our owninterests by serving mutual interests. International institutionsmust be more effective and representative of thediffusion of influence in the 21st century. Nations musthave incentives to behave responsibly, or be isolatedwhen they do not. The test of this international ordermust be the cooperation it facilitates and the results itgenerates—the ability of nations to come together to con-19