Publication

2011

Power shifts and the future perception and prospect of relative decline promote US strategic caution and hedges against haste and hubris. In addition, the US can act as the “geopolitical tipping point” to maintain regional and so global balance. Increased interdependence necessitates the adoption of “network governance approaches”, partnerships and alliances, all of which need to be led and coordinated. The US with power in all dimensions is best placed to maintain its role as the leading voice in addressing and framing approaches to manage strategic sources of insecurity. US primacy will be opportunistic, pragmatic, ad hoc, flexible, adaptive and, above all, sustainable. The US has the power capability and strategic context to maintain primacy; does it have the political will and skill?

Download English (PDF, 37 pages, 249 KB)
Author Graeme P Herd
Series GCSP Geneva Papers Research Series
Issue 1
Publisher Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP)
Copyright © 2011 Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP)
JavaScript has been disabled in your browser