Why Small States Matter to Big Powers
Why Small States Matter to Big Powers by James Jay Carafano – The National Interest
Nobody is bigger than the United States of America. No big power more appreciates small powers. No small state will find a better friend than the United States.
In an era of great power competition, “small” matters a good deal. Little nations are not sand to be ground between the great wheels of major powers. They are made up of people, not pawns. Citizens in small states have the same hopes, aspirations and natural rights as those in world powers. These people have every reason to expect and demand a life of freedom, peace and prosperity.
Further, it is in the interests of bigger states to help small states flourish. Great powers, if wise, will support the best hopes of smaller states.
There are three reasons why the United States, in particular, ought to take small states seriously.
1. Geography Matters. In geopolitics—as in real estate—a critical consideration is “location, location, location.”…
2. Freedom Matters. Like-minded nations make better partners. One of the reasons NATO works is because the alliance is a partnership of free-states…
3. Contribution Matters. Small nations can be net contributors to peace, security, and economic development…
The administration’s National Security Strategy recognizes that America is a global power with global interests and responsibilities. Implementing that strategy requires a sure and steady effort to assert American interests and promote stability in three key regions: Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. Even with all its power, America can’t be strong enough in all three places all the time without firm friends, allies and strategic partners…