Reflection should give us a sense you understood the underlying issue and show you are aware that writers and speakers have their own slant. As part of the reflection, you must specifically reference to at least 2 related newspaper or magazine sources.
Reflections without the outside references are considered unsatisfactory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbc8E_Th5HI
Solution
Reflection
Major General (Ret) William Rapp has explained the balance between US global engagement and role of the military. In today’s world, national security is a need of every country, and the United States of America is quite up to it. However, the global relations are triggered by the diplomatic ties, and it also seems a big need of the country. Unfortunately, the global relations of the United States have been impaired due to several military operations and interventions in the context of the national security. More than 600 billion dollars have been spent in the country on defense and national security. The level of engagement is declined as compared to other countries. For Instance, China, despite having the military power, has sustained its engagement or relations with different countries to have some mutual benefits. Conversely, the United States seems aggressive in streamlining their role of its military, not only in the United States but also in different part of the world. Different countries have lined up with the United States to experience both military and economic benefits. However, with the passage of time, the power balance shifted due to several factors. William Rapp talks about some natural partners, which can sustain the long-term sustainability. To enhance the visibility of global engagement, there is a need for a big shift in spending. For Instance, the United States have spent enough on defense, and engage some strategic partners, relationships for economic engagements are required. Intentions of developing countries need towards the growth and development and US to target those countries to make a good relationship. According to my opinion, the United States need economic alliances instead of recreation of the military alliance to maintain the power balance. The reasonable strategy is to take money out of the defense budget to concentrate on other global strategic alliances. Obviously, there is a need to depict an exceptional diplomatic strength. The military function in today’s international order a can also be streamlined. For Instance, William Rapp elaborates the role of the military in eradicating the terrorism in many countries. However, spending on the military is not a solution for a country development process. The balance can be maintained through increasing the foreign assistance capabilities. The shift in the defense budget can help the United States of America to strengthen the role of diplomacy. Even if the country has a limited or small military, reasonable cut on spending is necessary to divert the attention (Runde)
Deriving insights from the speech of William Rapp, the responsibility of a developed country is also to develop other nations according to their development needs. Of course, military spending is also important to ensure the national security. However, taking the responsibility of other’s national security is not a good choice for United State. China is spending immensely on the military, but the leadership has shown the aggression regarding the global engagement as well. It seems a depiction of power balance in the world, and it is also a big need of the United States in today’s era. In addition, the perception of the United States is controversial due to controversial military interventions. The military power show must be stopped. Redefining the purpose and objectives of the military is necessary to streamline the global engagement goals and objectives. The United States has to demonstrate another picture to the world instead of power and foreign policies. Due to immense spending on defense, some spikes in US economy have been experienced. Integrating with the economic needs of other countries can enhance the natural partnership, and William Rapp intends to make some reasonable strategies accordingly. The global sustainability needs to think bigger, and it seems a right time for the change (Jacobs).
Work Cited
Jacobs, Sarah. “What Americans spend on an engagement ring in each state, ranked from lowest to highest.” The Business Insider. The Business Insider, 12 February 2018. Web. 14 February 2018. http://uk.businessinsider.com/engagement-ring-average-cost-by-state-2018-2.
Runde, Daniel. “U.S. Engagement In Asia Requires Re-engagement In Multilateral Development Banks.” Forbes. Forbes, 9 December 2016. Web. 14 February 2018. https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielrunde/2016/12/09/us-engagement-in-asia-requires-re-engagement-in-multilateral-development-banks/#103fe803fb39.