From a national security perspective, the most important quality in a commander in chief is the ability to manage risk. The United States faces innumerable threats ranging from terrorism to nuclear war, but all do not merit the same amount of government attention or investment. Understanding how much effort to apply and when is essential to avoiding missteps such as the 2003 invasion of Iraq or turning a blind eye to China‘s occupation of the South China Sea during the 2010s.

Smart risk management is often unpopular. High-visibility events such as terrorism are designed to illicit a government reaction. Pushing back on efforts by America’s second-largest trading partner to exert control over international waters could hurt American businesses. However, resisting the urge to ride a wave of public outrage and addressing emerging challenges is essential to preserving national security.