Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

The race is on. Hillary Clinton is searching for "everyday Americans" to persuade us she is one of us. Marco Rubio campaigns as the voice of a new generation. Jeb Bush may be a general election candidate without a primary election constituency. Scott Walker uses his victories over unions to say he can confront other adversaries. Martin O’Malley warns against dynasties and looks for an opening. Other candidates seek an opportunity to break through. Washington insiders hope for Bush versus Clinton, a back to the future strategy.

Where is the most dangerous place, and what is the greatest challenge for U.S. foreign policy? The terror of ISIS in the Middle East? Nuclear negotiations with Iran? A broken peace process in the Holy Land? Russian aggression in Ukraine? Actually, the most dangerous place for our nation’s foreign policy may be the United States Capitol. The greatest challenge may be how Congress frequently undermines, evades or polarizes essential choices about U.S. leadership in a dangerous world.