The Soft Path to U.S. Hegemony in the 21st Century: An American Brain Drain Policy against Strategic Competitors

During the four years of Trump administration, American strategy adopted a provocative realpolitik approach to power. Trump’s administration was so focused on U.S. nationalism and threats identity that domestic immigration policies became viewed as existential threats. With introduction great power competition discourse against China Russia 2017, renewed emphasis conventional military traditional warfare ignores reality an increasingly globalized, interconnected world. have grown their regional spheres influence while making in-roads elsewhere with asymmetric tools influence. While debates rage about how confront through projection economic power, we ask: What can do in long-term out-compete illiberal authoritarian states? Nullifying Chinese Russian means re-creating grand leverages unwelcoming internal politics Russia. The must capitalize totalitarian world vision espoused by strategic competitors emphasizing liberal ideology convince best brightest around immigrate America, thus contributing innovation overall hard Choosing liberalism over realism will produce attractive citizen recruitment proposition for most educated innovative citizens living regimes, them leaving home countries favor United States promotes free-markets inclusivity. We contend America needs Strategic Brain Drain policy pillar 21st century competition.