America Needs Urgent Action

On Wednesday, September 17 retired four-star General and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Wesley Clark discussed the serious economic and political challenges that the United States is facing today. Clark began his remarks with a discussion of the United States’ current economic malaise. He noted that the world depends on the United States as the engine of global growth, given that the United States economy represents nearly one quarter of the world’s GDP and that 70% of that consists of consumption. He emphasized that a solution to the current financial crisis would not be possible until policymakers addressed its root causes – the asset bubbles in the housing and financial sectors.

Then Clark turned to the wars in Iraq, which he criticized for being harmful to both the United States’ national security posture as well as to its economic health.. He said that, “The war destroyed the American economy and created an outflow of national treasury.”

Clark said that if he were to advise the next president be would prioritize the importance of strengthening ties with Europe through NATO and reorienting our failed policies in the Middle East.

-Doga Cigdemoglu, Intern for American Strategy Program

Participants

• General Wesley Clark
  Former Supreme Allied Commander, NATO

Moderator

• Steve Clemons
  Director, American Strategy Program, New America Foundation
  Publisher, www.TheWashingtonNote.com