How to deal with despots
Western foreign policy sets out to be ethical, but often ends up being ineffectual
For about 15 years after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Western foreign policy seemed to rest on sure foundations. Liberal values—democracy, open markets, human rights and the rule of law—had just prevailed over communism. America, the first and only global hyperpower, had the clout to impose this moral code against terrorists and tyrants. And tough love was justified, because history had shown that Western values were the uncontested formula for peace, prosperity and progress.
Another 15 years on, Western foreign policy is in a mess. To see why, consider Muhammad bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. Our summer double issue, featuring profiles and long reads, leads with a deeply reported portrait of mbs, as he is known. It illustrates the erosion of each of the three pillars of Western foreign policy—values, power and that historic destiny.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “How to deal with despots”
From the July 30th 2022 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Leaders
The disgrace of a former American president
But this prosecution of Donald Trump was wrongheaded and counter-productive
Japan and South Korea are getting friendlier. At last
As the world economy fragments, two export powerhouses see the virtue of chumminess
What penny-pinching baby-boomers mean for the world economy
They are saving like never before. But even that may not bring interest rates down