Biden’s foreign policy chief faces overwhelming challenges that are beyond his control.
Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, recently penned a cover story for Foreign Affairs titled “The Sources of American Power.” The title echoes George Kennan’s landmark 1947 article, “The Sources of Soviet Conduct,” written under the pseudonym “X.” Kennan’s article, which had profound insights into Soviet behavior and history, remains a defining moment in American foreign policy discourse. Sullivan, however, presents a far more mundane narrative.
Rather than offering a deeply analytical exploration of American power in the world, Sullivan’s article comes across as a list of accomplishments of the Biden administration. The piece, though not wrong or naive, lacks the intellectual rigor and original thinking of Kennan’s work. It reads like a committee-driven product, carefully crafted to showcase the administration’s achievements without taking bold or controversial stances.
Sullivan’s central argument—that American power comes not only from geography, demography, and natural resources, but also from key decisions made by its leaders—is valid, but also a well-worn concept. While this may be true, it does not offer fresh insights or original analysis, which one might expect from an essay in Foreign Affairs that aims to shape the discourse on global power.
Given the lack of original ideas, readers must assess Sullivan’s piece through the lens of their views on Biden’s foreign policy. The essay presents an objective description of the administration’s diplomatic achievements but fails to delve into the broader complexities or offer a transformative perspective on American power. It leaves readers to decide whether they agree with the administration’s approach or believe that it is, at best, managing a world increasingly shaped by forces beyond its control.