Event

US at 250: Internationalism vs. isolationism – America’s enduring foreign policy debate

This event hosted by UK think tank Chatham House explores the competing ideas shaping American foreign policy.

Since gaining independence, America’s relationship with global partners and its role in the international order have changed to meet the evolving geopolitical landscape and America’s strategic objectives abroad.

From Washington’s warning against entangling alliances and Wilson’s failed bid to reshape world order, to Roosevelt’s reluctant march into World War Two and contemporary doubts about longstanding alliances, the push‑and‑pull between internationalism and isolationism has defined American statecraft.

President Trump’s America First policies are designed to redraw Washington’s relationship with its allies, international institutions and the rules-based order to place American interests first.

This session, part of a series of events dedicated to the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, asks whether today’s scepticism towards the international order marks a historic rupture or the latest swing of a familiar pendulum.

Speakers

Event chaired by Laurel Rapp.

Laurel Rapp – Director, US and North America Programme

Elliott Abrams – Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, Council of Foreign Relations

Dr Mira Rapp-Hooper – Senior Advisor, The Asia Group; Visiting Fellow – Foreign Policy, Center for Asia Policy Studies, Brookings Institute

Peter Trubowitz – Associate Fellow, US and North America Programme