The US foreign service was a civilian process until the end of the Second World War. Since then, the armed forces have encroached on the State Department's diplomatic mission. The Goldwater‐Nichols Act of 1986 authorized worldwide “Commands” in the Department of Defense. This left to the...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the USA can maintain a position of leadership in a world of growing competition and constraints. Design/methodology/approach – The paper points out elements of both strength and correctable weakness of the USA in the foreseeable...