America After Iraq: A New World Order or No Order?

Abstract: 

In a series of three talks, Mark Steyn examines America's role in the world and how it might change. In "Strong Horse, Weak Horse: American Power and World Perception," he begins by talking about how the world views the United States, especially in light of our occasional willingness to use power and our occasional reluctance to do so. In "After America: New Order and No Order," Steyn speculates about a future in which "America is so isolated that it is no longer the maintainer of global order." And then in the final talk, a question-and-answer session with Naval ROTC students, Steyn describes what he sees as America's admirable role in opposing tyrannies in World War I, World War II, and the Cold War, and yet also discusses the prevalence of resentment toward a superpower. "America is the exceptional nation," he argues, "and so it has to endure exceptional insults from around the planet."

Author: 
Mark Steyn
Publication date: 
August 12, 2008
Publication type: 
National Security