National Security Adviser Sandy Berger addressed a crowded auditorium last Friday afternoon in Dartmouth Hall. Berger, whose son Alex is a sophomore at the College, gave a speech entitled, "Challenges Facing American Policy."
The lecture focused on several issues regarding the United States' relations with other countries, including U.S. involvement with the world's largest evolving nations, the threat of regional conflicts, emerging technology and the risks it poses to national security and the continuing gap between the rich and poor.
In his speech, Berger stressed the United States' hegemony in the international community.
"I believe there is one close to absolute in the world today: America must lead," he said.
According to Berger, the United States would reap many rewards by working with and aiding large countries currently in the process of economic and technological development -- specifically India, China and Russia.
In regard to China, Berger expressed his support of the communist republic's induction into the World Trade Organization. China's membership in the WTO will make for a freer Chinese economy, which, in turn, may lead to more freedom in the country's political sphere, he said.
"The more we can promote peace and security in Asia, the more we can promote our own security," Berger said.
Berger spoke of the United States' success in policing regional conflicts, specifically those in Kosovo, the Middle East and Northern Ireland. Berger conceded, however, that establishing peace in these troubled areas is a continuous and challenging process, likening it to scaling a mountain.
"The further we get, the steeper the climb," he said of the peacemaking process.
Berger also addressed the danger of harmful emerging technologies, such as destructive computer viruses, which may be accessed by nearly anyone with sufficient technical expertise.
At no time was the threat of cyber terrorism more present than during the year 2000 celebrations around the world. According to Berger, though U.S. was able to deter any technological threats to national security during this period, work must continue to ensure the safety of the nation's many computer systems and networks in years to come.
Another challenge facing the U.S., Berger said, is how to decrease the gap between the world's rich and poor. According to Berger, one way in which the U.S. may reduce this gap is to promote freedom and good government in impoverished nations.
Such countries would also benefit from debt relief, according to Berger.
"No country should have to choose between educating its children and paying off debt," he said.
Berger concluded his lecture emphasizing the importance of youth participation in international politics.
"Take what you've learned here and change part of the world," he said, addressing the many Dartmouth students in the audience.
Berger's speech was part of a lecture series on war and peace sponsored by the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding.
