Welcome to the latest edition of my President’s Desk Newsletter showcasing the individuals, issues, and questions at the heart of ethics and international affairs.

A Moment of Crisis for Responsible Internationalism

In his opening remarks at the UN General Assembly, Secretary-General António Guterres stated: "We are gridlocked in colossal global dysfunction." It’s true that every generation faces its own distinct challenges. However, ours is a moment of truly significant global-scale political dysfunction punctuated by deep divisions over values and interests. Leaders are emerging with sharply divergent ideas on the way forward. Here are my thoughts on the dominant competing visions – informed as they are by radically different ethical commitments.

Is Caution a Vice?

According to Kori Schake‘s New York Times guest essay, “Biden’s Cautious Foreign Policy Imperils Us,” the president’s caution is cause for concern.

Since when is caution misguided? For Schake, it is when commitments do not align with capacity to deliver, thereby creating instability. Fair enough. But is President Biden’s prudence in the face of great power war – and potential nuclear conflict – in this category? 

It seems to me that caution, even in the face of nuclear threats from Putin and increased aggression from China, is the shrewd way forward, reassuring allies and foes alike of a careful balancing of ends and means. 

On China, Schake’s skepticism springs from her assertion that the “Biden administration isn’t funding an American military that can adequately carry out our defense commitments.” She is right to remind us of the essential lesson of realism: the imperative to correlate commitments to resources, and to align military, economic, and political strategies.  

However, we should not mistake prudence for weakness, and we should remain skeptical that increased military resources will alleviate tensions and lead to peace. Many in the U.S. policy and think tank communities are suggesting the inevitability of a military conflict over Taiwan. There is nothing inevitable about it – and the risk of self-fulfilling prophecy is real.  

In the end, military strength matters, but wise restraint and the judicious use of power matter more.

Have a suggestion for future newsletters? Tweet us @CarnegieCouncil using the hashtag #EthicsEmpowered. 

Support the Troops, Support the Constitution

As Americans go to the polls in the 2022 midterm elections, fidelity to the Constitution is on the ballot. In light of lingering issues of election denial in the 2020 presidential contest, the U.S. military is facing sustained pressure in today’s hyper-politicized political environment. This unprecedented statement from eight former secretaries of defense and five former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff speaks to the gravity of the moment.

Join Me for a Special Global Ethics Day Event

I wanted to close with a reminder that Global Ethics Day 2022 will take place on October 19. As part of the festivities, I’ll be hosting a conversation on the power of ethics with Michael Schur, creator of hit shows such as The Good Place and Brooklyn 99 and author of How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question. You can sign up to attend virtually using the link below. 

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