Globalization has touched every aspect of modern life. Today, not just imports, exports, and jobs, but terrorists attacks—both their planning and prevention—are international affairs.

Some of the Saudi 9/11 hijackers plotted parts of their attacks in Hamburg, Germany as well as in Florida. Safe havens in Latin America facilitate recruiting, fundraising, and international travel for terrorists around the world.

America’s security and anti-terrorism efforts must extend far beyond U.S. borders. Once the threat—whether human or technological—has arrived on our doorstep, it may very well be too late.

Jena Baker McNeill and Diem Nguyen explain why the “U.S. needs strong cooperative relations with foreign countries aimed at securing global systems that connect the U.S. with the rest of the world.” Interdependency is here to stay.