The Long Memo (TLM)

The U.S. plays the game of diplomacy and international institutions because we built it. These institutions weren’t imposed on us—we created them. They are extensions of our influence, tools we can use to structure global stability in ways that benefit us. They reduce the costs of us maintaining a system that benefits us in ways that most Americans won’t appreciate until they’re gone.

Could we leave? Sure. And we’d quickly find ourselves in a world where other powers—China, Russia, the EU—step in to write the rules instead.

But know this, once we’re on the outside, we don’t get to complain about the results. Even with all of our power, it will be considerably more difficult to fight against the machinery, and Americans have become very accustomed to an international order that effortlessly bends to their will.

That’s the real reason we stay. Not out of altruism, not because we’re suckers, but because it’s in our best interest to set the rules rather than be ruled by them.