The Project for the New American Century (PNAC) issued a Statement of Principles on June 3, 1997. It read: “America has a vital role in maintaining peace and security in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. If we shirk our responsibilities, we invite challenges to our fundamental interests. The history of the twentieth century should have taught us that it is important to shape circumstances before crises emerge, and to meet threats before they become dire. The history of this century should have taught us to embrace the cause of American leadership. Our aim is to remind Americans of these lessons and to draw their consequences for today. Here are four consequences: *we need to increase defense spending significantly if we are to carry out our global responsibilities today and modernize our armed forces for the future;
*we need to strengthen our ties to democratic allies and to challenge regimes hostile to our interests and values;
*we need to promote the cause of political and economic freedom abroad;
*we need to accept responsibility for America’s unique role in preserving and extending an international order friendly to our security, our prosperity, and our principles.”
– Deepak Tripathi, Overcoming the Bush Legacy in Iraq and Afghanistan, Page 130