The global power balance is rapidly evolving, leaving the United States at a turning point with respect to its level of engagement and the role of its military. Some argue for an “America First” paradigm, with a large military to ensure security, while others call for a more assertive posture overseas. Some advocate for a restoration of American multilateral leadership and a strengthened role for diplomacy. Still others envision a restrained U.S. role, involving a more limited military. How does the military function in today’s international order, and how might it be balanced with diplomatic and foreign assistance capabilities? Speaker Jon Olson, a retired U.S. Navy commander, is an adjunct professor in Carleton College’s Political Science Department and in the School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University. The courses he leads include “The U.S. Intelligence Community,” “Terrorism and Counterterrorism,” “Intelligence, Policy and Strategy, and Conflict,” and “Studies in Weapons of Mass Destruction.”
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