Cooperation with Other Nations

Before the bombing started in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, there was widespread hope in the United States and around the world that the US would consider a different response than one of unilateral retaliation and revenge. Many people hoped that the world's only superpower would work with the United Nations and with alliances around the world to bring the criminals responsible for the terrible events on September 11th to justice. That didn't happen. The war model was used instead. A great opportunity was missed to lead the world in a new way of how to respond nonviolently and effectively to attack.

Tragically, in spite of our good intentions and even our genuine good deeds, many around the world regard the US as arrogant, uncaring and selfish. For the long term national security and prosperity of the world, we must all learn together how to work collaboratively with other peoples and nations by participating in treaties that bind all of us to consistent equality under international law.

Examples include the eradication of polio and smallpox. Individuals, organizations like Rotary, and nations have worked together to vanquish forever these terrible diseases to the benefit of all humankind. Many collaborative international projects now exist that seek to protect the environment. Especially where issues of daunting complexity like global climate change are concerned, U.S. citizens and their leaders need to reach out and cooperate with other nations on a whole new level.