Former U.S. officials and lawmakers discussed the future of American foreign policy during a panel at the 2026 [1] IDEAS Conference.
The discussion highlights the tension between maintaining global alliances and managing the strategic rivalry with China as new technologies redefine conflict.
The event, hosted by the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C., featured former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), and former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. The participants focused on the necessity of U.S. reliability to its allies while simultaneously navigating competition with China.
One primary area of concern for the panel was the emergence of a new era of warfare. The officials said conflict has expanded into domains such as cyber and space, areas where technological superiority is no longer guaranteed. This shift requires the U.S. to adapt its military and diplomatic strategies to prevent escalation while deterring aggression.
The conversation also touched upon the rising influence of China on the global stage. This systemic competition involves not only security concerns but also economic interests, and the struggle for international leadership. The panel said the U.S. must remain a dependable partner to ensure that its allies do not drift toward competing spheres of influence.
These discussions follow recent reports regarding the competing interests of the two superpowers. For instance, analysis from earlier this month [2] highlighted the complexities faced by economists and policymakers attempting to balance trade and security needs between the U.S. and China.
“The participants focused on the necessity of U.S. reliability to its allies.”
The focus on 'reliability' suggests a strategic effort to counter the perception that U.S. foreign policy is volatile. By centering the conversation on cyber and space warfare, the U.S. is signaling that the traditional definition of national security has shifted from territorial defense to the protection of digital and orbital infrastructure.
