American Umpire

American Umpire is a thoughtfully crafted 2016 documentary that digs deep into America's international policy landscape. Scripted and narrated by esteemed historian Elizabeth Cobbs, it features insightful interviews with global policy heavyweights, including former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and renowned Franco-American political scientist and author Nicole Bacharan, among others. This film is a must-watch for history enthusiasts, policy wonks, and anyone intrigued by the complexities of global power dynamics.

At the heart of American Umpire is the exploration of America's role as the world's dominant power, a position the country inevitably found itself in after World War II. As the name suggests, the documentary likens America's international role to that of an umpire in a game, shaping global events yet shouldering the potential burdens and consequences of its actions.

The film commences with a dive into American history, serving as a precursor to the country's newfound status post-WW2. Cobbs draws from her rich historical experience, charting the evolution of America's global involvement, which started from an initial policy of avoiding entanglements in foreign conflicts as articulated in George Washington's farewell address.

The documentary then examines the turning point in America's international policy. After the devastation of two World Wars, America's intervention in global affairs was increasingly seen as the only way to preserve world peace and protect democracy. This is where American Umpire shines light on the philosophical transition from isolationism and non-intervention to becoming the world's dominant power.

The superbly conducted interviews with Albright, Bacharan, and other experts offer an unprecedented understanding of the ideas underpinning America's global role. We see the pragmatic concerns that pressured the U.S. into taking on the mantle of global leadership. The film scrutinizes the country's good intentions, strategic mistakes, ethical dilemmas, and the paradoxes inherent in wielding global power.

A salient feature of the film is its detailed analysis of the landmark Truman Doctrine, which essentially solidified the American position as global peacekeeper. This doctrine, articulated at the onset of the Cold War, pledged American support to free nations threatened by communism or totalitarian ideologies. This policy shift charted a new course for American diplomacy, with involvement extending beyond just military intervention while setting a precedent for future foreign policy.

American Umpire also brings into discussion the country's shift from a draft system to an all-volunteer military in the post-Vietnam era. The film explores how this seismic shift affected the psyche of American intervention, insisting on the cultivation of a more professional military service influencing future engagements and dictating the nature of America's global role.

The film does not shy away from confronting the moral dilemmas and contradictions inherent in this role. The question of America's right to exercise global influence, overthrow regimes, and negotiate peace treaties is interrogated. Cobbs navigates these tough questions with care, underlining the historical complexity involved.

Ending on a hopeful note, the film suggestively poses the question of whether another country or a coalition could take on the role America holds in the world today, stimulating a constructive dialogue about the potential future of global power balance. Though it does not propose a definitive solution, the film provides a platform for discussion and paves the way for alternate perspectives on the distribution of global power.

Produced with a sharp and eloquent narrative bearing Cobbs’ historian expertise, American Umpire is visually absorbing and intellectually stimulating. It chronicles the epic journey of a country grappling with the responsibilities and consequences of its enormous international influence.

Although the subject matter is complex, American Umpire manages to present the information in an engaging, accessible, and balanced manner. It brings critical historical context to modern discussions on America's international policy and role in world affairs, efficiently illuminating the factors that have shaped these decisions over decades. This film is a significant exploration of American foreign policy, offering a thoroughly researched, well-articulated, and empathetic perspective on globally crucial issues.