Reinvest in civilian foreign policy, preserve US global influence

Maintaining America's global leadership requires preserving a robust State Department rather than gutting and ceding influence to countries like China. Closing embassies across Africa, eliminating key bureaus, dismantling the diplomatic corps, and slashing the budget by nearly 50% would severely undermine vital soft power capabilities. Diplomatic engagement, development assistance, and human rights advocacy are cost-effective means to advance national interests and promote global stability while countering transnational threats. Isolationism is counterproductive - reinvestment in civilian foreign policy institutions is critical to sustaining America's worldwide role.