America's National Interests: A Report from The Commission on America's National Interests, 2000

Graham T. Allison, Dimitri K. Simes, and James Thomson, Executive Directors.

Abstract

PDF and Word versions of the report are available below.

The Commission on America's National Interests was established by a bipartisan group of Americans who are convinced that, in the absence of American global leadership, citizens will find their fortunes, their values, and indeed their lives threatened as surely as they have ever been. The Commission is concerned that after five decades of extraordinary exertion, the US is in danger of losing its way. The fatigue of many, and distraction of some with special interests, leave American foreign policy hostage to television images and the momentary passions of domestic politics. Lacking basic coordinates and a clear sense of priorities, American foreign policy becomes reactive and impulsive in a fast-changing and uncertain world.

The goal of the Commission on America's National Interests is to help focus thinking on one central issue: What are the United States' national interests? What are American national interests today and as far forward as we can see in the future for which we must prepare? In the short run, the Commission hopes to catalyze debate about the most important US national interests during this season of presidential and congressional campaigns. It also hopes to contribute to a more focused debate about core national interests, the essential foundation for the next era of American foreign policy.

The Commission is organized by Harvard's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, the Nixon Center, and RAND, and is supported by the Hauser Foundation.