Condoleezza Rice Warns Against U.S. Isolationism in Recent Address

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recently delivered a compelling address at the University of Notre Dame, emphasizing the dangers of U.S. isolationism in the current global landscape. The event, titled “The Perils of U.S. Isolationism,” was part of the Notre Dame Forum’s theme “What Do We Owe Each Other?” and featured Rice in conversation with University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.

Rice, who served as the 66th Secretary of State from 2005 to 2009 and as National Security Advisor from 2001 to 2005, highlighted the rising challenges posed by authoritarian states such as China and Russia. She stressed the importance of the United States and its allies standing firm against these threats and maintaining a strong international presence. Rice argued that isolationism would undermine the effectiveness of international institutions and long-term alliances, exacerbating global instability.

In her recent Foreign Affairs article, Rice outlined the perils of choosing isolationism and proposed strategies for building an effective internationalist foreign policy. She emphasized the need for a robust and engaged U.S. foreign policy to address the complex geopolitical issues of the post-pandemic world.

Rice, currently the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and a Senior Fellow on Public Policy, brought her extensive experience in international relations to the discussion. Her remarks were part of a broader exploration of the global community’s challenges and the role the United States should play in addressing them).