President-elect Donald Trump has an opportunity to forge a foreign policy that strengthens America’s security for the coming decade. To accomplish such a goal, it is not enough to boast about America’s past greatness or believe that dictators can be pacified to prevent wars. It will require a strategy based on four pillars: a stronger military, results-driven diplomacy, the empowerment of key allies, and curtailment of America’s main adversaries.
To deter war, America must be ready to fight a war. A stronger U.S. military means a fully staffed standing force equipped with the most modern weapons in all domains. U.S. military recruitment targets have been missed in the past few years, with the Army reporting a 20% shortfall in a force that is now smaller than on the eve of World War Two. The pool of National Guard troops and reserves has also been shrinking in all services. A national strategy is needed to stop the bleeding of manpower and restore a military that displays size and strength to adversaries that will otherwise be emboldened by America’s weakness.
