In his first foreign policy address at the State Department, President Biden declared that “America is back. Diplomacy is back at the center of our foreign policy.” Over the past two years, the United States has re–engaged with international organizations, reinforced traditional security alliances, and worked with allies and partners to address common global challenges. Although some Trump–era policies remain in force, most notably on trade, investment, and immigration, the Biden–Harris administration has re–adopted conventional U.S. positions in many areas, including international security, the rule of law, development, health, and climate. While the idea of great power competition continues to affect U.S. foreign policy, many administration officials frame it as a contest between democracy and authoritarianism: the United States ought to compete with authoritarian states, such as Russia and China, by rallying the world’s democracies and defending the value of democracy both at home and abroad. The success of this strategy depends in no small part on whether the United States can demonstrate its commitment and willingness to work with other countries.
The recommendations detailed in this report offer one way forward for the current administration. They are designed to address the threat of far–right populism at home, the rise of emerging powers, and challenges related to powerful non–state actors. The recommendations are illustrative; the report does not address all current or future challenges related to artificial intelligence, nuclear proliferation, or conflict–related migration, to name a few. They provide U.S. policymakers with potential options for how to reinforce the institutions of the current international order and address several major challenges related to peace and security, climate, energy, development, and data privacy. By implementing these recommendations over the next year and a half, the United States can better work with like–minded partners and compete with adversaries. Overall, these reforms can help the United States adapt to both current, and unforeseen, challenges within the international system, and promote greater security and prosperity at both home and abroad.