Policemen of the World

Policemen of the World:

By the beginning of the 20th Century, the United States has become the principal force in international relations. As a result of the growth of the country, some people argue that the American military operates as the world's police. In addition, the United States' elevated status has resulted in the occurrence of shifts and consequences that have not only changed the country but also had a significant impact on the rest of the world. The consideration of the United States military as the world's police is evident in its continual use to resolve several crises in different places across the globe. In the past few decades, the United States Army has been used in international incidents that are geared towards the fight against global terrorism. Moreover, successive American governments have used the military in international incidents to promote the security of its citizens across the borders. While the U.S. Army has been used to enhance security, its involvement in some international events has generated controversies within the American public and countries affected by American involvement.

Two Real-life International Events in the recent Past:

US Army preparations for probable direct American military intervention in Nigeria in 2009 and the recent preparation for Syrian invasion by U.S. military are two examples of real-life incidents in the recent past. The probable direct American military intervention in Nigeria was in 2009 after the U.S. Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, visited Nigeria and uploaded the African country's efforts in the Niger Delta ("U.S. Military Involvement in Nigeria," 2009). Apart from this recognition, Secretary Clinton met with Nigerian Defense Minister and agreed regarding some particular suggestions on how America could help the Nigerian Government in its attempts to bring peace and security to the Niger Delta.

While these efforts were geared towards enhancing peace and security in the Niger Delta, they generated to huge controversies in Nigeria and the United States. In Nigeria, these initiatives were considered as an attempt to use the U.S. military to gain access to oil in the country. Actually, it was assumed that the involvement of U.S. military in bringing peace to the Niger Delta region as the link between American national security policy and U.S. oil imports. On the other hand, there were some doubts in the United States on whether the Obama administration would offer more security assistance to the Nigerian government in future.

The other recent controversial real-life international incident regarding U.S. military involvement in a foreign country was recent plans for probable military strike against Syria. The United States deployed about 200 troops of the 1st Armored Division to Jordan in preparations to invade Syria (Lantier, 2013). America continued with its plans to invade Syria through working with Jordan to establish headquarters near the Syria-Jordanian border and develop a rapid build-up involving at least 20,000 American troops. The invasion force would include Special Forces troops and regular units to plan for operations inside Syria and air defense units to protect against potential retaliatory Syrian air strikes on Jordan. Plans for Syria invasion have raised huge controversies among the American public who argue that it could have unexpected consequences on the United States by bringing it into broader regional conflict or war with the Middle East. However, the invasion was fueled by Syria's clear violation of international standards that forbid the use of chemical weapons.

America's Emergence as a Dominant Military and Diplomatic Force:

America established itself as a dominant military and diplomatic force with significant impacts on international relations in the early 20th Century. The rise to this state was fueled by various factors that have made the United States to become a dominant military and diplomatic force since the end of the Second World War. One of these factors is the country's economic dynamism that enabled her to play a crucial role in regional and global politics. Secondly, America rose to its position as a global power because of her foreign policy that was characterized with the use of military and interventionism to increase American vital interests. Consequently, the country gained considerable influence in global diplomacy to an extent it could sway international events.

American Foreign Policy:

One of the major factors that have propelled the United States to a dominant military and diplomatic force after the Second World War is its foreign policy. The rise to global super power has been influenced by significant changes that have taken place in its foreign policy from time to time. Before the Second World War, America's foreign policy was very isolationist since the country sought to distinguish itself from problems across the globe. The isolationist attitude was adopted in the country's foreign policy after deep economic problems brought by World War I. The country adopted this policy in order to avoid the serious economic effects of another war. However, after the Second World War, America's foreign policy transformed to intervention because of the realization that it was the country's responsibility to promote peace across the globe (Armstrong, 2010). The main reasons for the differences in pre- and post-war policy were the significant economic gains the country had made and the effectiveness of each policy during its era.

Justifications for America's Overseas Involvement:

Based on analysis of America's pre- and post-war foreign policy, justifications for the country's involvement in international incidents during World War II still play a crucial role in American military action overseas. America's justification for involvement in overseas events during Second World War was to promote peace and enhance security. The United States sought to promote peace, security, and stability through striving for restoration of sovereign rights and self-government of all peoples (Weber, 2008). The quest for peace is still play a role in the United States military action abroad as the country seeks to fight threats to global security. For instance, America's plans to invade Syria were geared towards enhancing global security by stopping the country's attempts to violate international standards against chemical weapons.

America's Rise to Superpower:

The United States rise to global superpower has been influenced by significant economic gains since World War II and its foreign policy of intervention. America's rise to superpower has contributed to its transformation into a dominant military and diplomatic force. This has in turn enabled the country to have considerable influence on international relations and incidents. While the country continues to have significant influence on international relations across the globe because of its rise to global superpower, this position continues to shape America's response to various issues such as domestic spending, Fourth Amendment protections, and elections on the home front.

In relation to domestic spending, the country's annual budget is not focused on issues within the nation but also includes expenses that are geared towards promoting global peace, security, and stability. America's annual budget is not only centered on issues taking place within the nation but those occurring in the global arena. However, as the country continues to work towards promoting global security, it ensures that the safety of its citizens are protected based on the Fourth Amendment. America continues to work towards dealing with threats to homeland security within and outside its borders while maintaining the safety of its citizens. The United States rise to superpower has a significant effect on American's choice of leaders in Congress and the White House because of the importance of foreign policy in the country. Americans have become increasingly concerned with their safety and security in light of the emergence and increase in global terrorism. As a result, they elect leaders who can help guarantee and promote their safety and security from such threats.