US GRAND STRATEGY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE TRUMP AND BIDEN ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

The research intends to highlight the contours of grand strategy that have been prevalent throughout the aftermath of World War 2. The pursuit of American-led political, and social, and its preeminence at international standing is a struggle of the US foreign policy. How strategic compulsion leads to the bipartisan approval of foreign policy. How partnerships and collective security are essential factors in retaining a hegemonic position at the international level for the US? The strategic compulsions drive the US foreign policy, which has liberal and realist orientation. The grand strategy is used as a theoretical framework to conduct the study. The liberal internationalist version tracing back to Wilson till the present and the offensive realism of John J Mearsheimer have been discussed. The spheres of influence and preeminence of the US are among the crucial elements of its foreign policy. The US is at the top of international standing and the US-Led world order where it sets the rules for trade and its global commitments across the world. The international environment that compels the US to opt for a specified course of action is thoroughly discussed. The factor of restraint in realism in the backdrop of great power politics inherent in an anarchic world is explained concerning internationalist and realist propositions. Strategic environment, US interests at home or abroad, and its relative prowess in unrivaled domains shape the major contours of grand strategy. The invincible power as per the guide of offensive realism is of spatial importance to thrive in an anarchic world. On the contrary, the pursuit of liberal hegemony by the US is one of the highly recommended foreign policy postures by liberal internationalists. The competing views of both realists and liberalists are at play throughout policy action. The sphere of influence and the global challenge emanating from belligerent states, terrorists, and potential rivals that can challenge the US-led system are the key elements of national security strategy. The research is a comparative case study of the Trump and Biden administrations, using national security strategy documents of each administration. The G. John Ikenberry and John J Mearsheimer analysis have also been incorporated into the study. The bipartisanship of the foreign policy over China and the US preeminence got support from both Republicans and Democrats. The partnership and network of alliances are formidable factors of the US foreign policy to retain the central positions at the international level