June 09, 2014
Strategy and Statecraft
An Agenda for the United States in an Era of Compounding Complexity
Written by Senior Fellow and Director of the Strategy and Statecraft Program Julianne Smith and Bacevich Fellow Jacob Stokes, “Strategy and Statecraft: An Agenda for the United States in an Era of Compounding Complexity,” examines the major problems U.S. policymakers confront when it comes to managing America’s role as world leader.
Ms. Smith and Mr. Stokes explore the core challenges the United States must meet in the areas of strategy and statecraft. Strategic obstacles include the growing diversity of actors, the increasing use of asymmetric capabilities and tactics, the evolving role of allies and partners, the eroding foundations of the international order and the blurring of lines between domestic and foreign policy. In terms of statecraft, the authors explore the ongoing civilian response gap, evolution of military tools, challenges presented by new or revitalized tools, waning U.S. influence in international organizations, contradictory public opinion and the government’s inability to manage risk effectively.
Authors
-
Jacob Stokes
Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Indo-Pacific Security Program
Jacob Stokes is a senior fellow and deputy director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), where his work focuses on U.S.-China...
-
Julianne Smith
Former Adjunct Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Security Program
Julianne (“Julie”) Smith is a contributing editor to Foreign Policy, where she coedits “Shadow Government.” She is also a senior advisor at WestExec Advisors, an adjunct senio...
