The US Peace Strategy: An Examination of the Third Pillar and Actors

This essay provides an analysis of the US peace strategy, as outlined in the National Security Strategy of 2017, with a specific focus on the third pillar, which emphasizes the preservation of peace and strength. The essay discusses the context of this pillar, highlighting the challenges posed by China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. It examines the strategy's focus on strengthening intelligence, domestic economy, technology, information, and military capabilities to counter these threats. The role of diplomatic programs, the importance of economic growth, and the interconnectedness of these goals are also explored. The essay concludes by identifying relevant foreign actors, including NATO members, the United Nations, and key allies like Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, Israel, India, and trade partners, and their contributions to the strategy's objectives.

Running head: PEACE STRATEGY
PEACE STRATEGY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PEACE STRATEGY
Introduction
The defense strategy of the United States of America can be summarized as the four
pillars whose mention one can find in the document of the National Security Strategy, published
in the year 2017, in the month of December. It is an extremely important piece of document
which can be called as the basis and the guiding principle of the foreign policy approach of the
nation. Each of the pillars deal with a specific aspect of defense and the goal of them is to ensure
that the balance between the maintenance if global peace and cooperation among the nations and
at the same time also ensure that the national interest of the United States of America is upheld
without making other nations compromise for it.
On the basis of the global political scenario which is prevailing in the contemporary times
that the current approach towards safeguarding the security of the nation has been adopted to
meet the needs of the time (Buckley, 2018). The first pillar deals with the safety, security and
preservation of the American people and their way of life. The second pillar is concerned with
the prosperity of the nation. The third pillar is concerned with the preservation of peace. The
fourth pillar seeks to the advancement of the American influence in a positive manner (Trump,
2017).
For the purpose herein, the goal is to discuss about the third pillar which seeks to
preserve peace and strength. Choosing the third pillar has been from the point of view that peace
is a perpetual necessity as the world at large is constantly in need of peace. On a regular basis, in
some part of the world or the other peace gets disrupted and the need to preserve peace is a

2PEACE STRATEGY
constant necessity which cannot be compromised at any cost. In the following sections, the
discussion shall be focusing upon
Overview
The basic goal of the third pillar as envisaged by President Trump has been to strengthen
the position of America in the international sphere by means of challenging the balance effect of
four key nation states China, Iran, Russia and North Korea. Those nation states have in the recent
times posed serious threats to the sphere of international politics by spreading their corrupted,
illiberal and undemocratic ideological predispositions to serve their national interest at the cost
of making other nations compromise with their securitarian concerns.
In order to contain the influence USA has in the field of international politics, the
abovementioned four nations have embarked upon a harmful competition which shall pose a
serious threat not only to USA but shall be potent enough to disrupt the world peace. President
Trump had proclaimed over years USA had devoted too much attention to solving political
issues in foreign nations at the cost of neglecting the domestic affairs and her adversaries have
taken advantage of it (Trump, 2017). Hence President Trump has envisaged a strategy that shall
be focusing on regaining the lost glory of the nation by embarking upon a policy which shall
seek to strengthen the areas such as intelligence, domestic economy, technology, information and
military so that it becomes easier for the United States of America to contain the surreptitious
motives of the abovementioned four nations. The pursuance of those goals shall be a part of
America’s drive to enhance her competitive advantages.

3PEACE STRATEGY
With regard to intelligence and information technology, President Trump has devoted
much importance to the enhancement of the space research programme in order to garner more
accurate and important information about navigations, keeping a check on the activities of the
adversary nations and also for monitoring the conditions of weather. The threat of hacking of
important websites and databases by Russian, Chinese and North Korean intelligence systems
have in recent times posed great threat to the cyber security of USA, hence the nation shall be
embarking upon a programme to develop the cyber space and safeguard the websites and
databases from getting hacked and vital information leaked. The hacking of the US Elections by
Russian hackers had raised alarms about the level of cyber security of the country (Trump,
2017).
The development of the intelligence system and information technology shall also be
beneficial for the realization of the goal of strengthening the military for better communication
and also for accessing knowledge about the advances of the adversary nations. Iranian nuclear
facilities which were developed secretly were intercepted by means of intelligence and that had
caused serious alarm. Not just Iran; Russia, China and North Korea are nuclear powers and are
on a constant look out for opportunities to balance USA and jeopardize the status of the nation as
the super power in the post cold war era. Hence apart from enhancing the intelligence facilities,
USA has also sought to increase the military budget. It has been deemed necessary in order to
counter the militarization that Iran, China, Russia and North Korea have taken to, on massive
scale. Information is a major weapon which is capitalized by the adversaries of USA to
jeopardize the values of America, hence safeguarding of information is a major challenge for
USA for the safeguard her securitarian concerns as well as her economy and trade related issues
(Trump, 2017).

4PEACE STRATEGY
For gaining more influence and for the sake of advancing the American interest in the
international sphere President Trump has strategized a diplomatic programme that shall be
conducive to the strengthening of the cooperation of the allies of the nation. Russia has posed a
serious threat to the influence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Eastern Europe and
has been a part of several regional cooperation organizations to counter the US. Russia had also
embarked upon expansionist policies in Ukraine to maximize the extent of its influence. China
too has subscribed to membership in several regional cooperation organizations and similar to
Russia has also embarked upon a policy of expanding its territorial boundaries towards its south
by dominating over Tibet and also by means of trying to increase the influence in the Himalayan
states of Nepal and Bhutan (Shambaugh, 2018).
North Korean military is always at the behest of their dictator Kim Jong Un. Iran too has
a strong army which is mobilized by anti-US rhetoric to imbibe a sense of jingoism in the
soldiers and has indulged in a display of nuclear weapons as well to proclaim its supremacy.
These factors have provided pressing situations for President Trump to embark upon a policy of
strengthening the US army and equipping them with logistical and technological innovation and
also mobilizing to fight war as the outbreak of conflict can happen any moment (Zhao, 2015).
Hence the military and diplomatic programs of USA are interlinked to each other and are
complementary are to each other. Since war cannot be fought alone by violence, ideological
manipulation is also necessary as proposed by Italian Marxist thinker Antonio Gramsci,
President Trump has shown deep interests in engaging in bilateral deliberation and involve its
presence in international regimes for the sake of exerting the influence of USA. Through it,
President Trump envisages the achievement of a global support base which shall be beneficial in

5PEACE STRATEGY
creating a favourable opinion about USA in the international sphere. President Trump shall also
be increasing the presence of USA in conflict ridden areas alongside the allies in order to uphold
the principle of democracy and human rights (Trump, 2017).
Militarization programme cannot be made a success as envisaged by President Trump,
until and unless the nation enhances its economy. USA has witnessed a new low in its economic
growth as the nation has been focusing too much on foreign issues and unfortunately that has
happened at the cost of neglecting the domestic affairs. For the realization of the goal of
enhancement of the domestic economic conditions, President Trump has embarked upon a policy
that shall be championing the free market enterprise and at the same time also be countering the
illicit trade practices of international actors. By means of constructive exchange of information
and knowledge, indulgence in fair trade favouring an equitable balance for the parties involved,
increasing the opportunities for the foreign investors to invest in business in the USA, President
Trump has promised to enhance the economic growth of both USA and her trade partners by
working together in removing the obstacles that commonly affect USA and her trade partners
(Trump, 2017).
From the above discussion it becomes very clear that the goals are essentially inter
related to each other. For gaining her former glory and dominance in the international sphere,
USA has to enhance the weakness she has developed over time and only then shall the world
consider her influence in serious light. USA wishes to gain influence in the world and that is not
possible until and unless she strengthens herself militarily, and for it she has to enhance her
economy. The plan that has been devised very strategically to ensure that the national goals that
are consequential to each other are fulfilled as a result of the fulfillment of one goal and each of

6PEACE STRATEGY
it shall be complementary to each other. Hence the fulfillment of one goal shall result in the
realization of the other goals as well.
The importance of the goals outlined in the third pillar of the peace strategy are owing to
the fact that they are very comprehensive and are very precise. It projects a clear vision of the
goals and focus areas of USA. The issue areas and the areas which need to be enhanced have
been clearly mentioned of in the document. The goals also exhibits the political acumen of
President Trump who has sought to balance the domestic and the international goals. It is clearly
reflective of the realization on part of President Trump that America cannot claim to be an
influential international actor devoid of power of strategic, economic and militaristic nature.
The goals to be pursued according to the third pillar are partly long drawn issues and
partly new. The rivalry with Iran is perhaps the oldest as it has been existing ever since 1979, and
has resurrected with the Nuclear Deal. The animosity with Russia, China and North Korea are
however newer. With Russia the tensions have intensified due to Russia offering shelter to
whistleblower Edward Snowden, a US citizen who has leaked the information that US
government spies upon its citizens. With China the tensions have intensified because of the fact
that China is emerging as an economic and military superpower. The coming of Kim Jong Un to
power and his aggressive policies have also alarmed USA. Hence against these situations have
the new policy been embarked upon.

7PEACE STRATEGY
Relevant Foreign Actors
The relevant foreign actors who can contribute to the goals expressed in the third pillar
are in my personal understanding the member nations of NATO, the international organizations
like the United Nations Organizations and the most important allies of USA, namely, Great
Britain, Saudi Arabia, Israel and India and also the trade partners of USA. This I could derive on
the basis of the understanding of the current political scenario prevailing in the domestic and the
international sphere. The international sphere is as much guided by the instinct of cooperation as
propounded by the liberal paradigm as much as the realist principle of safeguarding ones national
interest. Following the liberal paradigm of forging cooperation with the allies can help in a win
win situation whereby all the parties involved can benefit.
Great Britain is the greatest ally of USA in the continent of Europe and Saudi Arabia and
Israel in the Middle East. USA by means of forging closer ties with Britain can check the
influence of Russia in Europe. USA and Britain also cooperate with each other militarily in
foreign humanitarian interventions like that in Afghanistan, and by maintaining the cooperation
the greater good of both the countries shall be served well (Inkster, 2016).
Saudi Arabia is a major trade partner of USA who supplies the latter with oil against arms
and can be very helpful in enhancing economic cooperation. Israel receives aid from US to
safeguard its existence in a hostile region, and can be helpful in exchange of information to help
out in military affairs as Israel is one of the most developed nations in terms of military and
warfare related affairs.

8PEACE STRATEGY
Friendship and cooperation in India can be beneficial for both India and USA. India can
with the help of USA counter threats from Pakistan, and continue being the hegemon in the
region while China can be balanced who is a major threat to both India and USA alike. These
foreign actors are allied to USA by means of complimentarity of national interests and there
closeness to each other shall be of benefit to each other. Maximum amount of the UN funding is
done by USA hence it can be a positive prospect of USA gaining influence in the world affairs
and with regard to NATO forces, it is the sole weapon by which USA can exert its influence on
European politics by countering the Russian influence (Fuchs et al., 2017).
Owing to these factors USA is likely to achieve her goals. For example, USA has exerted
enough influence in pigeon holing the nuclear deal with Iran. Despite US backing out, the other
European nations have refused to enter into deal with Iran, which shows that USA does have
prospects of success.
Evaluation of the Challenges
USA is likely to face challenges from both domestic and international spheres.
Domestically, the American civil society shall not be favourably disposed towards Trump
embarking upon an increased militarization as the stare of welfare policies in the country is in a
bad shape (Feith, 2017). On top of that the increasing cost of living has made the lives of US
citizens very much difficult especially for the middle class as we can see.
In the international sphere, USA’s close ties with Saudi Arabia and Israel can be
considered as a reason for incurring criticism since both the nations have incurred a lot of

9PEACE STRATEGY
ignominy for the breach of human rights (Mabon, 2018). Israel’s brutal treatment of the
Palestinians and Saudi’s poor records in terms of gender equality, democracy, freedom of
expression of the citizens and ill treatment of the Shia minorities are the prime reasons. USA’s
close alliance with these two nations shall be and is a reason why she has incurred criticism of
being perpetrator of violation of human rights (McNamara, 2016). This can lead to the alienation
of USA in the international sphere and can causes serious impediments for the nation to achieve
her goal of strengthening herself in order to achieve world peace in my opinion.
The predisposition of India is also quite dicey as one hand she considers China and
Pakistan as a threat and looks up to USA for help, but her policy of ‘Look East’ seems not to
signal a positive indication that she shall be aligning with USA (Grare, 2017). Moreover, Russia
and China are taking an active role in the regional cooperation organizations, for example the
BRICS which is essentially oriented towards curbing the influence of USA in the non western
part of the world, which can pose a serious threat to NATO. The presence of Russia and China in
the Security Council can also prevent USA from taking vital decisions to champion her national
interests as all the permanent members have the right to veto and decisions are supposed to be
taken unanimously.
Evaluation of the prospects for USA
In this section a personal reflective account of the prospects of success of the peace
strategy shall be provided. The prospects of USA are nevertheless quite bright as President
Trump has admirers both in the nation and in the international sphere. Rising right wing politics,
the stiff determination of President Trump to counter terrorism in the nation and his vision of

10PEACE STRATEGY
making America great again by enhancing the economy shall greeted with a huge support base
(Jackson, 2016).
In the international sphere, America being a champion of democracy is viewed upon by
many nations as a safe ally unlike Russia, China, Iran and North Korea who have provided
appalling images about themselves for their support for authoritarianism and inflexible
predispositions. The greatest advantage of USA in my opinion is that it still ranks number one in
the world in terms of power and influence hence most nations shall be aligning with her and not
the other ones who are yet to reach up to the level of America (Jackson, 2016).
On an overall basis I can say that the positive prospects for USA are there and it can be
expected that President Trump shall be successful in his mission, is strengthening the country for
the sake of playing the vital role in maintaining peace in the world.
Conclusion
Thus the prospects for United Sates of America are quite propitious and also at the same
time the nation has quite a lot of serious challenges to be faced. The determination of the success
or the failure cannot be made possible right now, which has to be left to the time. However, with
hopes of positivity it can be said that America shall be witnessing success as the goals and
objectives are quite strong and focused.

11PEACE STRATEGY
References
Buckley, F. H. (2018). Conservatism: Trump and Beyond. Modern Age.
Feith, D. (2017). Reflections on US Military Policy. Brown J. World Aff., 24, 173.
Fuchs, M. H., Kenney, C., Perina, A., & VanDoorn, F. (2017). Why Americans Should Care
about Russian Hacking. Center for American Progress.
Grare, F. (2017). India turns east: International engagement and US-China rivalry. Oxford
University Press.
Inkster, N. (2016). Information warfare and the US presidential election. Survival, 58(5), 23-32.
Jackson, V. (2016). Rival reputations: Coercion and credibility in US-North Korea relations.
Cambridge University Press.
Mabon, S. (2018). Muting the trumpets of sabotage: Saudi Arabia, the US and the quest to
securitize Iran. British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 45(5), 742-759.
McNamara, E. M. (2016). Restraining Rivalries? US Alliance Policy and the Challenges of
Regional Security in the Middle East and East Asia. Irish Studies in International Affairs,
27, 201-222.

12PEACE STRATEGY
Shambaugh, D. (2018). US-China Rivalry in Southeast Asia: Power Shift or Competitive
Coexistence?. International Security, 42(04), 85-127.
Trump, P. D. J. (2017). President Donald J. Trump Announces a National Security Strategy to
Advance America’s Interests.
Zhao, S. (2015). A New Model of Big Power Relations? China–US strategic rivalry and balance
of power in the Asia–Pacific. Journal of Contemporary China, 24(93), 377-397.