American Leadership Policy Studies and Research | Leadership for America

American Leadership

The freedom and security of Americans depend on America's global leadership.
Learn More... Statement of Purpose Without American leadership the world will become a more dangerous place – for Americans and for freedom. If left unchecked, the growing dangers will only get worse and may reach the point where America’s very existence is at stake. Transnational terrorism, rampant anti-Americanism, unaccountable international institutions, nuclear proliferation, and regional conflict all represent real threats to peace and prosperity. We can deal with these grim challenges. Just as The Heritage Foundation helped devise the strategies and plans to win the Cold War, it can and should do the same with respect to helping America win the global war of ideas for freedom and security.

It will be Heritage’s mission to carry forward the legacies of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher by devising and promoting new strategies and policy recommendations for the 21st Century. In this new era, it will be crucial for the United States to prevail in the ideological battle against radical Islam and the resurgence of leftist populism and other ant-American forces, create alternatives to the United Nations, and spread and institutionalize global economic and political freedoms around the world. What is required is a coherent overarching blueprint that identifies the sources of anti-Americanism and the lack of confidence and coherence in U.S. leadership here at home, while also outlining the political, diplomatic, economic, and military instruments that are needed to overcome these obstacles and reassert the nations global leadership role. These solutions must be grounded in the First Principles of the Constitution and its intent of safeguarding and advancing the cause of freedom.

Why Must the U.N. Be Central to Addressing Global Warming?

November 23, 2009

Instead of letting the U.N. lead "climate change" negotiations, the U.S. and other nations expected to shoulder the burden should work outside of the U.N. to hash out a realistic, effective strategy.

By Brett D. Schaefer

Key Asian Indicators: A 2009 Book of Charts

November 24, 2009

The United States is no less a Pacific nation than an Atlantic one. The state of Hawaii and the territories of Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa all lie in the Pacific. The United States has five treaty alliances in East Asia (Japan, Korea, Australia, the Philippines and Thailand), the Pacific Fleet, and major military bases throughout the region. It has legal obligations to Taiwan's security, and a burgeoning economic relationship with mainland China.

By Walter Lohman, John Fleming, and Nicholas Hamisevicz

START Follow-On Treaty Could Interfere with Conventional Strike Systems

November 19, 2009

Early indications are that the successor to the START treaty will limit U.S. options to field conventionally armed missiles -- something Congress warned the Administration not to do.

By Baker Spring

Trade Dispute Undercuts Obama's Korea Trip

November 17, 2009

It is increasingly obvious that the Obama Administration is willing to sacrifice the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement on the altar of auto-sector protectionism.

By Bruce Klingner

The Three Reaffirms: Suggested Agenda for President Obama's Visit to China

November 13, 2009

President Obama should use this week's trip to China to reaffirm three major American principles.

By Dean Cheng

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Obama Dug a Deep Hole in Honduras by Trying to Save a Chavez Wannabe

November 24, 2009

In Honduras, Barack Obama's foreign policy team finally rediscovered the first law of holes: when you find yourself stuck in one, the first thing to do is stop digging.

By Ray Walser, Ph.D.

U.S.-Colombia FTA: American Workers Wait as Congress Dithers

November 24, 2009

In October, the unemployment rate in the United States reached 10.2 percent, the highest in a generation. Yet even with millions of Americans scrambling for a job, Congress refuses to take a simple step that could put many back to work: approving a Free Trade Agreement with Colombia.

By James M. Roberts

O's China Kowtow

November 20, 2009

If you were troubled by President Obama's "Wow Bow" in Japan, you won't be any happier with the "kowtow" during his just-concluded trip to the People's Republic of China.

By Peter Brookes

Obama Has Achieved Nothing on the World Stage

November 20, 2009

No American president has spent more time abroad in his first year in office than Barack Obama. His trip to Asia this week is his 8th foreign tour, taking the total number of countries visited to 20.

By Nile Gardiner

International Letdown

November 11, 2009

Last year's U.S. presidential election sparked international euphoria. Americans had chosen the "anti-Bush"! The jubilation overseas reflected a belief that, as president, Barack Obama would think less like an American and more like the rest of the world.

By Helle Dale

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