Senator Rubio Discusses Future of U.S. Foreign Policy “For this century is a time of tremendous challenge. But it is also a time of tremendous promise. This is indeed the world America made. And it is freer ......
valuable forum, but not an indispensable one. We can’t walk away from a problem because some members of the Security Council refuse to act.
In those instances, where the veto power of either China or Russia impede the world’s ability to deal with a significant threat, it is the United States that will have to organize and lead coalitions with or without a Security Council resolution.
And this concept is neither novel nor partisan. President Clinton acted exactly in this way in Kosovo with the support of congressional leaders like Senator Lieberman.
Everywhere we look, we are presented with opportunities for American leadership to help shape a better world in this new century. We have to view these opportunities within the context of the fact that in every region of the world, other countries look apprehensively on the growing influence of newly emerging powers in their midst, and look to the U.S. to counterbalance them.
In some instances these emerging strategic realignments are not inevitably destined for conflict. For example, if China chooses to conform its rise within the international order, there is much to be hopeful for in the Pacific region. On the other hand, there is no reason for optimism about Iranian designs on regional dominance in the Middle East.
And it is indeed in that region where multilateral cooperation is most urgently needed right away. Whether in bringing an end to the bloodshed and the Assad tyranny in Syria, or in helping Egypt overcome economic hardships and move toward the establishment of a true democracy, or in addressing the threat posed by a nuclear Iran, America shouldn't try to solve any of these problems alone. But neither will any of these challenges be addressed without strong and creative American leadership. No other nation has the influence, relationships or reputation for seeking lasting solutions to intractable problems than the United States has.
Iran's nuclear ambitions are more than just weapons. Iran wants to become the most dominant power in the Middle East. But given Iran's history of human rights abuses, fomenting Shia versus Sunni conflict and sponsorship of terrorism as a tool of statecraft, the world must never allow that to happen. Fortunately, preventing a dominant Iran is a goal we share with virtually every other nation in the region. Certainly we welcome Russia's and China's cooperation in facing this challenge. But the prospect of a nuclear capable Iran is so unacceptable that we must be prepared to act with or without them. We have a host of willing partners in every region of the world who share our concerns and are relying on our leadership to compel Iran to abandon its ambitions.
Preferably, we can succeed through coercive means short of military force. We should be open to negotiations with Iran. But always remember that they should not be deemed a success when they only lead to further negotiations. Stronger pressure shouldn't be postponed in the expectation our forbearance will encourage Iran to act in good faith.
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