Do Global Citizens Agree With Obama’s West Point Speech?

President Obama gave the commencement speech at West Point for the class of 2014 on Wednesday, May 28. In his speech he outlined his national security policy. How do globally minded Americans feel about these priorities?

1. “What makes us exceptional is not our ability to flout international norms and the rule of law; it is our willingness to affirm them through our actions.”

Globally minded Americans who give a damn about the rule of law and human rights were very pleased with the U.S. pushing forward with a UN Security Council resolution to demand an investigation of Syrian war crimes by the International Criminal Court, despite knowing that Russia and China planned to veto it. The United States publicly joined every other Security Council member in demanding justice for Syrian victims and shaming Russia and China for their obstinacy in the process.

2. “We have refused to make sure that the Law of the Sea Convention is ratified by the US Senate, despite our top military leaders saying it advances our national security.”

The Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)—along with almost a dozen other multilateral agreements—has been languishing before the Senate for over 30 years. The agreement has the backing of US military leaders, environmentalist groups, business leaders and national security experts.

It has been joined by over 160 other nations while we sit on the sidelines, hoping that China doesn’t build up forces in the South China Sea and Russia gives up claims to mineral wealth under the Arctic Ocean. Yeah, good luck on that!

3. “A third aspect of American leadership … is our effort to strengthen and enforce international order.”

In his speech, Obama more or less called out opponents of global rules by reminding the cadets that it was the U.S. that kicked Russia out of the G8 (now G7) for its invasion of the Ukraine. One doesn’t get to invade a neighboring state and still come to the meetings. See the photo above. No Putin. Even the New Yorker has a laugh at this one.

The President also noted the U.S.-led coalition that brought the Iranian leadership to the negotiating table on the issue of nuclear weapons. When that succeeded, he had to turn his attention homeward as opponents tried to destroy the progress by demanding harsher new sanctions. Obama said no, No, NO! and Iran is now working with inspectors according to the deal. Strong leadership and soft power make global citizens all warm and fuzzy.

4. “The fourth and final element of American leadership: our willingness to act on behalf of human dignity.”

When school girls are kidnapped by militias or sitting heads of state order the murder of an ethnic group, and their governments fail to act, global citizens don’t sit around hoping for the best and singing kumbaya. We rally to social media, launch movements (remember Kony?), and even create brand new international courts. We know that we are all in this together and when governments don’t honor their responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us, we help show them the error of their ways.

5. “Just because we have the best hammer does not mean that every problem is a nail.”

Let’s be honest. American leadership on the world stage is essential, given we are the only country capable to responding quickly to global crises. But military force is only one aspect of our ability to project ass-kicking power. Our global leadership and technology includes an arsenal of tools that prioritize both carrots and sticks—cooperation, training and intelligence sharing with other states and international organizations. Using those first is often a lot less messier and whole lot cheaper than sending in the Marines.

6. “We can’t call on others to make commitments to combat climate change if a whole lot of our political leaders deny that it is taking place.”

Globally minded Americans are sick of politicians who try to make climate security an electoral rather than scientific issue. We’ve done our part as citizens—recycling, turning down the thermostat and putting on a sweater, buying more efficient vehicles—yet they make excuse after excuse to avoid action. Americans are problem solvers, not problem deniers.

The modest reductions in global greenhouse gases made by the US and the EU are barely making dent in levels worldwide. The United States can lead a new collaborative approach involving commitments from other countries that match our own, if the partisan hacks would get out of the way.

7. We are going to deepen our investment in countries that support these peacekeeping missions because having other nations maintain order in their own neighborhoods…[is] the right way to lead.”

Americans are, if nothing else, pragmatists. We are perfectly okay sharing the cost of peace operations with 196 other countries. It’s one of the best investments we make. No one is better at setting standards for operations and conduct through UN peacekeeping missions than American advisors, and helping other states to protect the rule of law in their own regions further reduces the overall cost to the U.S. taxpayer to live, work and vacation in a stable and peaceful world.

8. “Climate change [is] a creeping national security crisis that will help shape your time in uniform…which is why, next year, I intend to make sure America is out front in putting together a global framework to preserve our planet.”

Despite politicians’ best efforts to obfuscate and confuse Americans on climate change, the Pentagon knows this is a major national security risk. US soldiers have been increasingly called on to assist climate refugees, civilians caught in the aftermath of natural disasters and conflicts arising from a lack of access to food and water and it will only get worse until we take action.

Climate security is not a goal which can be achieved one country at a time. Members of GlobalSolutions.org understand this global challenge will require a global solution.

9. “I believe that a world of greater freedom and tolerance is not only a moral imperative; it also helps keep us safe.”

As the world becomes more interdependent and solutions require working together, the importance of seeing ourselves as global citizens become urgent. You’re reading this text on a global social network, along with individuals from perhaps a dozen other countries who share the same desires as any person - peace, justice and an opportunity to live in a world without fear. Ending tribal, political, ethnic and religious intolerance is a must if we are build a safer, more secure world.

10. 10. “Foreign assistance is not an afterthought — something nice to do apart from our national defense, apart from our national security. It is part of what makes us strong.”

Last November, GlobalSolutions.org members rallied behind the Senate version of the U.S. Farm Bill that authorized an $80 million annual program over five years to support more local purchasing of U.S. food aid rather than waste resources by requiring food be purchased and shipped from the U.S. Our member sent messages to over 168 Members of Congress, asking they support lifting food aid restrictions that have limited our capacity to feed millions, build more sustainable local markets and provide aid at half the cost and delivery time in both emergency and non-emergency settings.

11. DO SOMETHING!

Are you a globally minded American ready to move past all the talking points and punditry? Members of GlobalSolutions.org agree with President Obama on the necessity and pragmatism of working with not against other countries and creating effective international institutions to fix global problems.

If you're with us on this, you know what to do. http://GlobalSolutions.org/join