Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) had a semi-competitive primary to win his nomination for another term in the upper chamber. He finished with 57% of the vote, but businessman Mark Lynch came second with nearly 30%. The primary was dominated by foreign policy. Graham is known for his interventionist outlook, and Lynch ran on a more isolationist platform.The result in South Carolina represents a broader trend. A so-called “America First” foreign policy has been on the rise. Weary of international involvement, the policy demands that the United States become more self-focused and largely abandon the world stage. It opposes support for countries such as Ukraine and Israel and involvement in international organizations such as the United Nations and NATO. There is a problem, however. The America First foreign policy actually puts America last. America isolating itself would be just as harmful to it as it would be to the rest of the world.
There are, of course, the practical concerns. America sidelining itself would be a dream come true for its enemies. Russia no longer has to deal with the eagle’s eye being on Eastern Europe. Iran and its proxies can do as they please without Uncle Sam’s chastising. China would no longer have to compete with an engaged superpower. Nicholas Maduro would never have been held accountable for his actions.
