Will the next president address America's global challenges?

In a recent article for The Atlantic, the author discusses the significance of the upcoming US presidential election on November 5, emphasizing that Americans will be electing a wartime president amidst rising global threats.

The piece highlights the growing geopolitical collaboration between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, which poses unprecedented challenges to US security and foreign policy. Despite these imminent dangers, neither major-party candidate has sufficiently addressed the need for a robust, long-term strategy to confront this axis of aggression.

The article draws parallels between the current election and the 1940 election, when the U.S. was on the brink of World War II. It notes that President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized the impending conflict and began preparing the nation, unlike today’s candidates who seem unaware of the critical global context they will inherit. The comparison emphasizes that just as World War II was sparked by a series of crises involving Japan, Germany, and Italy, today's geopolitical landscape reflects a similar gathering storm involving China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

The author cites diplomat-historian Philip Zelikow, who estimates that the next president has a 20 to 30 per cent chance of engaging in global warfare, suggesting that the coming years are fraught with danger. He underscores that adversaries like Putin and Xi may exploit the US's domestic distractions and defense readiness to advance their aggressive agendas in Ukraine and Taiwan.

Furthermore, the article critiques the presidential candidates for their lack of serious discourse about the growing global threats. It recalls Roosevelt’s 1941 address, which warned of the perils of isolation and inaction, urging the nation to recognize its place in history and uphold the integrity of democracy. The author concludes that while war is not inevitable, neglecting the signs of rising conflict could strengthen these threats, reiterating Roosevelt’s call to muster the spirit and faith of America in the face of adversity.