Engagement with longstanding allies may also be turbulent at times. Many, if not most, of our allies have not, for example, wholeheartedly supported our efforts to enforce sanctions on nations that we believe are guilty of sponsoring international terrorism or that we see as threats to global peace. We will sometimes become embroiled in undertakings overseas that, at face value, cost us more than our immediate interests appear to justify. The obvious example is Bosnia. The reason we must, nonetheless, be engaged, is that our overarching interest in building effective security cooperation with our allies requires that we exercise leadership.
Engagement is also difficult for domestic political reasons.
To be blunt, no one gets elected by promising to devote a great deal of time and attention to foreign affairs. A 2d Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment from the 24th Infantry Division convoys to a refueling point during Operation Vigilant Warrior , October 1994. Finally, engagement is difficult because it is financially expensive. In recent years, it has been difficult to find the resources to meet obvious needs in defense and foreign affairs because of pressures to reduce the budget deficit. Now that the deficit has been brought under control, a part of the discussion of budget priorities ought to be how to restore a reasonable level of investment in meeting our international security requirements.