In the ever-shifting landscape of global politics, the question of whether the United States should continue to lead the liberal world order is a topic of intense debate. While some argue that the U.S.-led order is a relic of the past, others believe that it is still essential for global stability and prosperity. Personally, I think that the U.S.-led order is not dead yet, but it is in dire need of a refresh. What makes this particularly fascinating is the paradoxical nature of the situation: the very order that has underpinned global peace and prosperity for decades is now being questioned by those who once benefited from it. From my perspective, the key to understanding this conundrum lies in recognizing the dual nature of American global leadership. On one hand, the U.S.-led order has been a force for good, fostering stability, prosperity, and democracy on a global scale. On the other hand, it has also been a source of tension and conflict, with the United States often wielding its power in a way that benefits it at the expense of others. One thing that immediately stands out is the irony of the situation: the very order that has been so beneficial to the United States is now being criticized by those who once relied on it. What many people don't realize is that the U.S.-led order is not a one-way street. While the United States has provided stability and security to its allies, it has also benefited from the global order in ways that are often overlooked. If you take a step back and think about it, the U.S.-led order has been a mutually beneficial arrangement, with the United States reaping the rewards of a stable and prosperous global environment. However, this raises a deeper question: what happens when the United States decides to step back from its global leadership role? The answer, unfortunately, is not pretty. A world without a strong United States committed to allies, rules, and norms would be a dangerous place. The biggest risk would be a lower cost of aggression and a higher risk of major conflict. As Russia's invasion of Ukraine showed, territorial conquest is still a very real threat, and it would be naive to think that ambitious or insecure states would not seek to take advantage of a weakened United States. What this really suggests is that the U.S.-led order is not just a matter of American leadership, but also of global security and stability. A detail that I find especially interesting is the role of public goods in the global order. Open sea-lanes, for example, have been taken for granted since the United States embraced the principle of freedom of navigation after World War II. However, as the recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran demonstrated, the absence of such public goods can have devastating consequences. If the United States were to give up on the principle of freedom of navigation or the means to enforce it, the global economy would be at risk, and the world would be a less stable place. This raises a deeper question: what happens when the United States decides to step back from its global leadership role? The answer, unfortunately, is not pretty. A world without a strong United States committed to allies, rules, and norms would be a dangerous place. The biggest risk would be a lower cost of aggression and a higher risk of major conflict. As Russia's invasion of Ukraine showed, territorial conquest is still a very real threat, and it would be naive to think that ambitious or insecure states would not seek to take advantage of a weakened United States. In conclusion, the U.S.-led order is not dead yet, but it is in dire need of a refresh. The next president should remind Americans of its value, acknowledge its shortcomings, and offer a new vision for American leadership. By doing so, the United States can continue to play a vital role in global stability and prosperity, while also addressing the challenges that have contributed to the fading support for the old order. Personally, I believe that the United States has the capacity to reform the U.S.-led world order and restore its global leadership role. It is time for Americans to come together and support a new vision for the future, one that is based on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a commitment to global stability and prosperity.
