Recent changes in the foreign policy of the United States of America have caused fundamental shifts in the global democratic order and dealt a fatal blow to democratic values ​​and systems. To reduce economic costs, address internal challenges, and expand geopolitical reach, the U.S. shifted from a “hardware-oriented” approach focusing on military presence to a “software-oriented” strategy based on technology and outsourcing. Based on the logic of outsourcing, this country reduced its direct political and military presence in the Middle East and North Africa region, delegating military and political responsibilities to its regional allies. Instead, it relied on technology and aerial control to maintain influence and manage threats.
However, this strategic shift, from another angle, resulted in a lack of support for democratic values ​​and had dangerous consequences. In America’s absence, autocratic regimes were given the opportunity to thrive. Now the main question raised is how did changes in American foreign policy contribute to the collapse of democratic systems? And what are it’s the long-term consequences for democratic values and global security?
1. Erosion of Democratic Institutions Worldwide
The change in U.S. foreign policy has caused significant damage to democratic systems around the world. In developing countries that were still in the early stages of democratization, democracies collapsed. This is because democratic political and civil institutions in these countries increasingly relied on the support of the international community, particularly the United States. Without continuous support, these fledgling democratic institutions are unable to withstand internal and external pressures. As the U.S. reduces its commitment to support these institutions, they will quickly fall apart.
The sudden collapse of the democratic political system in Afghanistan is a prominent example of this process. After the rapid U.S. withdrawal in 2021, the country’s democratic government collapsed almost overnight, paving the way for the return of the Taliban’s authoritarian rule. This process is not limited to Afghanistan. Across the Middle East and beyond, the absence of the U.S. will lead to a similar collapse. The result is a power vacuum in which authoritarian systems and forces can easily grow—systems that have no commitment to global security, human rights, freedom of expression, or the press, and often act against them.
Moreover, this change in U.S. foreign policy has created a divisive atmosphere within the United States itself. The debate over America’s role in the world has intensified, leading to the increasing polarization of this country’s political system. This internal divide, clearly visible in the U.S. election campaigns, not only undermines the credibility of democracies but also weakens America’s ability to effectively promote democracy abroad.
2. Crisis of Democratic Political Culture: A Threat Beneath the Surface
Democracy is not limited to the establishment of political institutions, it also requires a political culture and a pluralistic society in which human rights, civil liberties and respect for the rights of the opposition are recognized as accepted principles. In many regions where nascent democratic systems were emerging under U.S. influence, this political culture was taking root. However, with the recent shift in U.S. foreign policy, this fragile democratic culture has suffered a significant setback. Societies that had started to accept democratic norms are now at risk of losing the ideals that could stabilize long-term democratic development.
This cultural upheaval is akin a hidden threat that is extremely difficult to neutralize. The consequences of this cultural regression are clear: the resurgence of violence, the establishment of authoritarian rule, and the systematic destruction of democratic progress that had been painstakingly achieved over the past decades. In this sense, the current crisis of democratic political culture is not merely a superficial threat but a deep-rooted, fundamental and deep-rooted shift that endangers the future of democracy itself.
3. Opportunism of Anti-American Groups: The Formation of New Fronts
The withdrawal of the United States has emboldened both authoritarian regimes and anti-democratic groups, allowing them to expand their influence in its absence. The resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan is the most obvious example, as they now defy global expectations and fearlessly adhere to their ideological principles. This phenomenon is not limited to Afghanistan; similar dynamics are unfolding throughout the Middle East and Asia. These groups exploit the power vacuum created by the U.S. withdrawal, leveraging nationalist and religious sentiments to consolidate their authority and expand their influence.
They are also adept at using media and modern technologies to amplify their anti-democratic narratives, shaping public opinion in favor of non-democratic systems. The outcome of this process is the creation of “new fronts of resistance” against democracy and global ruling values, which undermines both regional and global stability. Examples of these new fronts can be seen in various parts of the world, such as Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, and other part of Middle East.
4. Pervasive Instability: A New Era of Global Insecurity
The erosion of democratic institutions, the collapse of democratic political culture, and the opportunism of anti-American groups have ushered in a new era of global instability that continues to expand day by day. Areas once under U.S. influence are now engulfed in violence, political unrest, and economic collapse. This instability is no longer limited to countries; it spreads across borders, threatening global security. Authoritarian regimes and extremist groups exploit this vacuum to suppress civil rights, restrict press freedom, and fuel terrorism.
The result is a cycle of repression and conflict that worsens the refugee crisis and enables terrorist groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda to thrive in the chaos of weak countries. This widespread instability seriously threatens not only the security of these countries, but also but also the security of the world, including the United States. The world may witness unprecedented, violent historical disasters at any moment if this instability continues unchecked.
Conclusion: The Need to Redefine Global Commitments
Although the shift in American foreign policy was driven primarily by domestic concerns and requirements of that country, it has had devastating consequences for the democratic order. The erosion of democratic institutions, the regression of democratic political culture, the decline of modern values, ​​and the emergence of authoritarian and extremist forces are clear signs of this change. If the international community, particularly the United States, does not quickly redefine its commitment to democracy and provide sustained support, we will witness the emergence of a new world—one with fewer democracies, more instability, and greater insecurity.
