From Meridian International’s 2021 Diplomacy Forum: Values Based Leadership, featuring project co-chair Samar Ali interviewing former Secretary General to NATO, His Excellency Anders Fogh Rasumussen.
U.S. diplomats are inherently champions of American values, such as democracy, rule of law, an independent judiciary, freedom of press, and fair and transparent elections. Likewise, Americans engaged in global affairs outside of government are often proud to convey and protect these same beliefs and cultural norms. At a time when democracy is coming under fire within our own borders, what is our moral authority to promote and defend these democratic values abroad? In a world with diminishing differences between domestic and foreign policies, how do we stand with democratic movements without infringing on state sovereignty?