Reading List

The Case for American Power

The Weekly Standard was the pre-eminent voice for American military strength and global engagement. These essays make the affirmative case — for robust defense budgets, NATO and Pacific alliances, active engagement with Russia and China, and the moral stakes of American leadership.

9 articles

  1. 1

    Don’t Come Home, America

    Robert Kagan July 4, 2011

    Kagan's most comprehensive argument against isolationism and for sustained American engagement.

  2. 2

    The Price of Power

    Robert Kagan January 24, 2011

    Why defense spending is not optional for a nation with global interests.

  3. 3

    Playing Offense

    Robert Kagan January 15, 2007

    Kagan and Kristol on taking the strategic initiative rather than reacting to threats.

  4. 4

    A NATO for Asia

    Gary Schmitt December 11, 2006

    The argument for extending collective security to Asia before China's rise made it urgent.

  5. 5

    A Resurgent Russia Keeps Kremlin Watchers Busy

    Ulf Gartzke September 17, 2007

    On Russia as a long-term strategic challenge — written before Ukraine made this mainstream.

  6. 6

    Abandoning Iraq

    Robert Kagan November 28, 2005

    The strategic cost of premature withdrawal — and why it matters beyond Iraq itself.

  7. 7

    An Iraq To-Do List

    Max Boot May 21, 2007

    Max Boot on counterinsurgency and military competence as prerequisites of successful strategy.

  8. 8

    Promethean America

    Tim Kane March 4, 2015

    Long-term strategic competition requires economic as well as military strength.

  9. 9

    Bush's Iraq Legacy

    Robert Kagan November 20, 2006

    Kagan on the regional stakes of Iraq policy and what failure would mean.