Journal on World Affairs, UCLA
The United States ranks 69 in the world for racial equality. This jarring statistic challenges the widespread notion that America is the place of radical liberty and equality, allowing for a more contextual consideration of the ongoing racist trends throughout the state.
Washington’s reliance on economic sanctions has garnered minimal benefits, which has prompted the Biden Administration to move away from coercive measures and instead engage diplomatically through AUKUS.
Through the School of the Americas, now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), the United States has actively trained Latin American military personnel in torture tactics.
The proposition of the Thucydides Trap is that the chances of war increase when a state comes closer to becoming the new hegemon. China and the U.S., when evaluated as offensive realist powers that prioritize power as a precursor to national security, are moving towards the dangerous prospect of a military conflict.
The Chinese government is showing particular interest in Afghanistan and Syria, two states in which China sees ample opportunities and dire economic needs that it can exploit.
China not only accounts for a sizable portion of ASEAN countries’ imports and exports, but it also has a strong military presence in the South China Sea and has shown an impressive commitment to face-to-face diplomacy throughout the ongoing pandemic.
A new, highly automated future is approaching fast and an “arms race” framework will fuel instability without learning from past experiences.
Why America Needs a New Approach to Grand Strategy
Americans chase “unicorns,” or start-up companies with a valuation of over $1B USD bringing the magic to America’s economy.
In recent years, European countries have made an increased effort to reestablish a strong presence in the Indo-Pacific, home to half of the world’s population and some of the fastest growing economies.
Journal on World Affairs, UCLA