Thread by @djrothkopf

@SecBlinken gave an important speech today, outlining the pillars of Biden Admin foreign policy. It was a departure in several major ways--not just from Trump policies but from those of the Obama Era and before. It deserves careful attention and recognition for its soundness.

Blinken framed the speech noting that the questions confronting American foreign policymakers "aren't the same as they were in 2017 or 2009." He said, "This is a different time...so we're looking at the world with fresh eyes."

From there he enumerated eight core issues: stopping COVID, ending the global economic crisis, renewing democracy (at home and abroad), reforming our immigration system, revitalizing "ties with our allies and partners," tackling the climate crisis & leading a green revolution...

Next, seventh was "securing our leadership in technology" and finally eighth, framed as "the biggest geopolitical test of the 21st Century" was managing the relationship with China.

The speech will resonate because of what is prioritized and what is not. For the first time in the century, combatting terrorism is not among the top priorities. Saber rattling and pounding our chests and proclaiming our exceptionalism are nowhere to be found.

Instead, there is a humility to the speech unusual in US foreign policy. A recognition that in key areas, we have much work to do, a return to the core ideas of the post WWII era that our strength begins at home and with our values.

Blinken observed "More than at any other time in my career--maybe in my lifetime--distinctions between our domestic and foreign policy have simply fallen away. Our domestic renewal and our strength in the world are completely entwined."

He also states, earlier in the address, "We will not promote democracy through costly military interventions or attempting to overthrow authoritarian regimes by force. We have tried these tactics in the past. However well intentioned, they have not worked."

Considering America's track record, those are words many of our allies and fair critics have long hoped to hear. It is clear that diplomacy is being given a place of centrality by @POTUS and @SecBlinken that it has not had in a long time. And that is wise and overdue.

The speech ends with Blinken saying the US will lead "with our values." He says, "At At our best, the US is a country with integrity and a heart. That’s what makes us proud to be Americans and why so many people around the world have given everything to become Americans."

Then, in stark contrast to the previous administration, he enumerates human rights, democracy, rule of law, justice for women and girls, LGBTQI people, religious minorities and all races and ethnicities as priorities.

Such speeches are invariably aspirational. They are just notes on a work in progress. But with this address and the administration's outlining its nat'l security priorities as it also did today, there is much to reflect on and take comfort in from Blinken's address.

America is back, but we are changed. Our hopes are not diminished nor is our commitment to leading again & to working with our allies to achieve them. But we have also faced many hard lessons in the past two decades and it is clear this gov't intends to apply what we've learned.

The US is resolute where it must be and committed to maintaining the strength it sees as an essential stabilizer and guarantor of security for itself and its allies. But the bullying and braggadocio of recent administrations is long gone.

It is a speech that will no doubt be well received by our friends and allies as it puts us much more in alignment with them and that bodes well for cooperation and effective multilateralism--and thus burden sharing--in the years ahead.

As first such major addresses from a Secretary of State go, it should be seen as both a considerable success, a promise of a restoration of America's standing in the world to come and the beginning of what may well be a new and different era in US foreign policy.

Here's a link to the speech for those who would like to read it in its entirety. state.gov/a-foreign-poli…