Nevada’s early caucus brings opportunity — and responsibility

Needless to say, we hold differing views on a great number of issues. But we do agree on this: The next occupant of the White House, no matter who it is, must have a bold, strategic vision for America’s role in the world in the 21st century.

We recognize that we live in an interconnected world and what happens overseas effects us each and every day here in Nevada — from economic trade to global terrorism and the potential for the spread of infectious diseases.

We also share the view that the nation cannot rely on military power alone to guarantee our national security. The next president should listen to what the nation’s top military and foreign policy experts are saying: that America needs to put greater emphasis on using non-military tools of global engagement, including development and diplomacy.

We are heartened to see the bipartisan consensus growing on the issue of global engagement. Decrying the neglect of the “soft power” methods that were so important to winning the Cold War,

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recently called for greater investments in foreign assistance, diplomatic and communications programs, trade promotion and other “civilian instruments of national security.” Just recently, three significant reports — including a 20-member commission appointed by President Bush and the Congress — all called for elevating international development within the federal government and more closely integrating development assistance programs with our trade and national security goals.

These comments come on top of what the 9/11 Commission, the 2006 Department of Defense Quadrennial Review Report and the 2006 National Security strategy have all said in one way or another: that our investments in diplomacy and foreign assistance are insufficient to meet the challenges of the new global realities.

And what are those realities? Reducing disease and pestilence in distant lands is critical to our health in this age of global air travel and agricultural trade. Expanding education is a strategic weapon against the spread of terrorist ideologies. And helping nations spread economic opportunity creates new consumer classes of people who have the money and the inclination to purchase American made goods and travel to our shores. These investments in development and diplomacy, together with defense, are a smart use of America’s power.

Nevada’s economy depends heavily on tourism, including more than 5 million international visitors a year. But our most cherished industry is taking a hit from America’s faded image in many parts of the world. While the number of foreign visitors to Las Vegas has rebounded from its post-9/11 lows, most of that is due to increases in travelers from Canada and Mexico, who tend to stay for shorter periods and spend less than those from overseas.

Nationally, overseas travel to the United States is down 17 percent since 2000, and the U.S. share of the international travel market has fallen 36 percent over the past 15 years. This represents a huge economic loss, calculated to be $286 billion and millions of jobs, as well as a lost opportunity for the type of people-to-people contact that wins us friends and allies the world over.

But this isn’t just the smart thing to do — it’s also the right thing to do. Helping struggling people around the world who suffer in natural disasters or from the ravages of grinding poverty demonstrates our moral values as a country, and in turn strengthens our image abroad. It is in keeping with our country’s traditional sense of compassion and our foundation of faith that teaches us to help others in need. It is simply not in our character to stand by while more than 10 million children die each year from easily preventable causes such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria.

By investing in the health, stability and prosperity of developing countries through foreign assistance, we can help to change this equation — creating a better, safer world and a better, safer Nevada.

As caucus day draws near, let’s take this moment to engage the presidential candidates on the importance of a strong U.S. role in the world and to demonstrate our moral leadership. As Nevadans, let’s do our part to ensure that both major party candidates are ready to face the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century world.

Richard Bryan is former Democratic governor and senator from Nevada. Frank Fahrenkopf is the president and CEO of the American Gaming Association and former chair of the Republican National Committee. They are advisers to the Center for U.S. Global Engagement.