National Security Strategy of the United States - Essay Example

1. In the emancipation proclamation, Abraham Lincoln calls for equality of treatment of all men regardless of race, gender, religion, place of origin, or social status. Similarly, in pursuit of national interests, the American values advocate for justice and equality based on internationally recognized laws. The same applies to President Eisenhower’s in his farewell address. In this respect, Henry Kissinger’s remark that “Morality has nothing to do with foreign policy” is totally misplaced and uncalled for. Morality should, as a matter of fact, be part and parcel of the overall national strategy.

Morality has to do with the distinction of good from bad or right from wrong. On the other hand, foreign policy is concerned with the beliefs, attitudes, and actions of America towards other countries. Mr. Y (2011), in A National Strategic Narrative clearly articulates the American dream as regards foreign policy. For instance, the narrative calls upon the United States to pursue its domestic and foreign policies with a unified effort that reflects constancy of purpose (The National Strategy Forum Review, 2010). It further goes on to state that the US should pursue its national interest while at the same time allowing others to pursue theirs. However, this is pegged on the condition that American values are not betrayed. Finally, Mr. Y says that America should seek fair competition and should not hesitate to deter bad behavior. This in itself is a moral position in foreign policy.

2. The involvement of multinationals such as NATO in America's national security has greatly boosted the collective power to promote security, curb incumbent threats, as well as protect the American citizens. Such is the case with which NATO and its 27 member states work to promote the ideas and peace of the member countries. America is part and parcel of these efforts done by NATO.

Secondly, multinationals work with the American government to advance shared goals such as the promotion of democracy. For instance, in the Balkan countries and Caucasus, these interactions have greatly helped deal with democratic transition challenges and also assisted in responding to pressing matters that demand mutual concern (Bartone, 2010).

Through multinational cooperation, the American government has been able to secure a peaceable environment that promotes trading activities to take place between its people and the neighboring nations. This is clearly seen through its unique cooperation with Mexico through NAFTA and Canada through NATO. Following this, millions of people from concerned countries move across common borders to trade. In addition, this close association has worked to boost the American attempt to address international matters such as economic cooperation and climate negotiations through G-20 (Bartone, 2010).

Nevertheless, the involvement of multinationals in the national security strategy of America has equally had its own disadvantages. For instance, the bureaucracies and plethora of consultations that have to be made result in frustrations at least most of the time. In addition, a suspicion amongst member states of hidden motives has resulted in conflicts of interests. For instance, the move of the USA to invade Iraq and its current mission to stem out Al- Qaeda in Afghanistan has been criticized as motivated by its selfish interests. This is especially so as regards oil (Davis & Shapiro, 2003).