In an hour-long address leavened with humor, former Congressman Lee Hamilton spoke Thursday night at UIndy about the serious foreign policy challenges facing the United States.
Delivering the university’s sixth annual Jerry and Carol Israel Lecture in Public Policy, Hamilton described four “central realities” that shape international affairs today: globalization, persistent unrest, ever-shifting international alliances, and the continued pre-eminence of American power, despite concerns of a decline.
“There is, to be sure, plenty of criticism about our leadership, but the world still looks to us for that leadership,” said Hamilton, who currently directs the Center on Congress at Indiana University.
Issues he cited as key challenges for the U.S. included nuclear proliferation, energy dependence, cybersecurity, climate change, economic stagnation, increasing debt and the importance of engaging with China, which he called “the most important bilateral relationship in the world.”
Closing on a note of cautious optimism, Hamilton quoted President Woodrow Wilson.
“‘The country is always aborning,'” he said. “I think good outcomes are possible for every challenge that I’ve mentioned here, but they are not inevitable.”
Hamilton began his remarks with a nod to UIndy President Beverley Pitts, who is retiring from the university this summer. He quipped that he was interested in the job.
He also threatened to deliver a three-hour speech.
“I’m only kidding,” he added. “You can relax.”
