Under the pen of Stan Lee, the words of Peter Parker’s uncle Ben, “With great power comes great responsibility,” were supposed to enter popular culture with the film version of “Spider-Man.” This adage has been invoked on many occasions throughout history during key moments such as the French Mountain Convention of 1793, Teddy Roosevelt, or Winston Churchill.
It is based on the idea that leading a team, organization, institution, or country involves more than just a title or accolades. It requires organized decision-making and a sense of responsibility: that of being the custodian of a burden.
For a head of state, one dimension of this public burden is related to a core function of the state: security. This includes the security of the state and its population (residents, citizens, and non-citizens) in both internal and external contexts. In theory, the U.S. Constitution grants the president more leeway in foreign policy, allowing a clear distinction between domestic politics and (inter)national security considerations.
However, the current president, nicknamed “toddler in chief” by Daniel Drezner, seems to disregard these responsibilities both in terms of domestic and foreign security matters. The current administration has centralized power, eroding checks and balances, leading to concerns about the state of democracy in the U.S., as highlighted in a report by V-Dem describing an “autocratization” trend.
In terms of domestic security, actions taken since the beginning of the current presidency have raised alarms. Issues range from constructing threats around concepts like Antifa to diverting resources from extremism surveillance to immigration control. The dismantling of key health institutions and infrastructures like FDA, CDC, and NIH, compounded by underfunding in air traffic control, postal services, and other critical areas, pose significant risks.
On the external security front, purges in intelligence, defense, and military justice mechanisms have hampered the ability to assess and respond to threats effectively. The restructuring of the National Security Council and decisions affecting international agreements have added to the challenges in managing global relations.
The behavior and decisions of the current administration are redefining the norms of international diplomacy, alliances, nuclear deterrence, and even the stability of peace. The ripple effects of these actions are expected to have far-reaching consequences, affecting regions like Africa, Asia, and Europe, and altering geopolitical power dynamics significantly.
In conclusion, the current U.S. presidential administration’s instability poses a strategic constraint globally, impacting trust, security, and long-term international relationships, and raising questions about the adherence to established norms and agreements in global affairs. The weight of decisions made at this level of governance holds immense responsibility, echoing the tragic final words of an Air Inter pilot before a fatal crash – a reminder of the gravity of leadership roles under such circumstances.
