For those who have long anticipated the collapse of the “New World Order,” America’s foreign policy has often appeared as a series of strategic missteps, leaving a trail of global repercussions. To understand the magnitude of these outcomes, it’s essential to reflect on the position of the United States at the end of the Cold War and how it has evolved to its status.
In 1993, the world was a vastly different place. The Soviet Union had dissolved, leaving the United States without any formidable geopolitical rival. Saddam Hussein’s Iraq was weakened, with its military power in ruins. The Oslo Accords gave the world a glimmer of hope for peace in the Middle East, and al-Qaeda was not yet a recognized threat. Iran, at that time, had not even begun its nuclear ambitions. The global landscape seemed ripe for a wave of democratic expansion, a period that many intellectuals like Thomas Friedman and Francis Fukuyama believed could lead to the worldwide embrace of market-based democracy, individual liberties, and the rule of law.
However, the ensuing decades saw America’s foreign policy being wielded as a tool to reshape the global order—a process that has been marked by a series of bilateral and multilateral failures. The emergence of al-Qaeda and the tragic 9/11 attacks marked a turning point, demonstrating how foreign policy miscalculations could give rise to unexpected and devastating consequences. The subsequent war in Iraq, initiated under the pretext of eliminating weapons of mass destruction, not only failed to stabilize the region but also exacerbated sectarian divisions, leading to a prolonged and bloody conflict that continues to reverberate across the Middle East.
The situation in Ukraine further highlights the complexities of US foreign policy. The annexation of Crimea by Russia and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine have strained relations between the US and Russia to levels not seen since the Cold War. Russia’s growing closeness with China only complicates this geopolitical rivalry, signaling a shift in global power dynamics that the US may struggle to counter effectively.
The Middle East remains a focal point of America’s foreign policy challenges. The civil wars in Libya, Syria, and Yemen, in which the US has played varying roles, have resulted in widespread devastation and created power vacuums that have been exploited by radical groups like the Islamic State. These conflicts have displaced millions, destabilized the region, and left a legacy of destruction that will take generations to repair. The US’s withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades of war is another example of a foreign policy that, despite significant investment in time and resources, ultimately ended in a retreat that left the region in turmoil.
Wherever American interests are directly involved, however, its foreign policy has often seen success. The peace agreement between Israel and Jordan, as well as the end of the war in Bosnia, serve as examples where US intervention aligned with its strategic goals. These successes underscore the selective nature of US foreign policy; when the stakes are high for America, it can mobilize the necessary resources and diplomatic efforts to achieve its objectives. In contrast, long-standing issues like the Kashmir conflict and the Palestinian struggle have received less attention because their resolution does not directly serve US interests.
Other notable achievements in US foreign policy include efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Proliferation Security Initiative launched by President George W. Bush’s administration was instrumental in preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Additionally, Washington’s handling of the Mexican peso crisis in 1994, and its role in creating NAFTA and the World Trade Organization, showcase the economic dimension of US foreign policy that has sought to reinforce American influence through trade and financial stability.
On the humanitarian front, the US has also made significant contributions. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is credited with saving millions of lives in Africa by slowing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Humanitarian aid efforts in response to natural disasters in Indonesia, Haiti, and Pakistan further demonstrate America’s capacity for global leadership in times of crisis.
However, these successes are often overshadowed by the broader consequences of US foreign policy, particularly in regions like Pakistan. The US’s involvement in Pakistan, especially its influence on non-governmental organizations and the promotion of democracy and liberal values, has had a lasting impact. The current socio-political chaos in Pakistan can, in part, be traced back to decades of US interventions and the social engineering efforts that have left deep-seated divisions within the country.
Despite these far-reaching effects, US foreign policy is rarely scrutinized in the American media. The US government often frames its interests as synonymous with global stability, leaving little room for critical examination of the long-term consequences of its actions. Meanwhile, in countries like Pakistan, where the impact of US foreign policy is acutely felt, there is a growing awareness of the need to re-evaluate national strategies considering shifting American priorities.
