The article argues that the U.S., through recent policy signals—such as questioning NATO's value or sympathizing with great-power territorial claims—is inadvertently adopting the core tenets of non-alignment, prioritizing transactional national interests over binding alliances. Historically, while non-alignment allowed developing nations to gain benefits without commitment, the analysis notes that this approach lacks the deep trust and shared obligations necessary for robust security structures. The implication is critical: by undermining established alliances, the U.S. risks losing its greatest strategic asset—the network of mutual commitments—as allies actively seek alternative bilateral or regional defense pacts.
Arthur C. Helton Memorial Lecture: Navigating Today’s Humanitarian Challenges
English Summary
The CEOs of three major humanitarian NGOs—Mercy Corps, CARE, and Save the Children USA—convened at CFR to assess the world's most pressing human rights and humanitarian challenges. The discussion drew on the operational experience of organizations working across global crises to evaluate current response capacities and gaps. The leaders examined what global NGOs are doing to address these challenges amid a shifting geopolitical and funding landscape. The lecture, honoring Arthur C. Helton who was killed in the 2003 UN Baghdad bombing, underscores the enduring risks and imperatives of humanitarian engagement in conflict zones. The event signals ongoing concern within the policy community about sustaining multilateral humanitarian commitments.
中文摘要
三大人道主義非政府組織——美慈組織(Mercy Corps)、國際關懷組織(CARE)及美國救助兒童會(Save the Children USA)——的執行長齊聚外交關係協會(CFR),評估當前全球最迫切的人權與人道主義挑戰。討論汲取了這些組織在全球危機中的實務經驗,以檢視當前應對能力及其不足之處。三位領導人探討了在地緣政治格局變動與資金環境轉變之際,國際非政府組織如何因應這些挑戰。此次講座係紀念於2003年聯合國巴格達辦事處爆炸事件中罹難的乾瑟·乙乙乙赫爾頓(Arthur C. Helton),彰顯人道主義工作者在衝突地區持續面臨的風險與使命。該活動反映出政策界對維繫多邊人道主義承諾的持續關切。
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