The United States must remain strong in the face of mounting worry and a "dark outlook" in today's uncertain world, F.W. de Klerk told a crowd of about 1,000 last night at Eisenhower Auditorium.

The former president of South Africa appeared as part of Penn State's yearlong Distinguished Speakers Series. He addressed a number of issues during his 40-minute speech, foremost being the heavy burden America faces each day in its role as "de facto global leader."

Specifically, de Klerk focused on the importance of American leadership in what he referred to as a globalized world.

"America is looked on as the leading country, the only remaining superpower in the world," he said. "The United States is [the world's] mayor and its chief of police."

De Klerk said because of America's pre-eminence as the world's leader, it instantly becomes the target of rebellious groups looking to derail or demolish any or all of the U.S.'s actions.

"The price of pre-eminence is, and will always be, unpopularity," he said. He added that the adversity the United States now faces is the same that previous world powers such as the ancient Romans and 18th century Great Britain had to endure.

De Klerk also touched on the ongoing war on terrorism and the brewing conflict in Iraq, admitting both are delicate situations to address. Advising America on how to approach both conflicts, de Klerk drew upon a famous quote from former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, saying America must "speak softly and carry a big stick."

"[Roosevelt] was right," he said. "The big stick is undoubtedly necessary. It was right and proper to overthrow the Taliban regime and to put extreme pressure on any country providing safe haven for al-Qaida."

However, de Klerk said, the United States must be careful not to overstep its bounds in the use of military force to combat terrorism.

"It is equally important to speak softly," he said. "At the end of the day, [military force] cannot create lasting solutions. History provides examples that war is the very last option."

Instead, long-term peace solutions, de Klerk said, can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of conflict: poverty, oppression, fanaticism and ignorance.

"In a shrinking world, the problems of one tiny region will ultimately become the problems of the entire world," he said.

In these dark, uncertain times, de Klerk said, the United States must stick to its core values that made it the superpower it is today and continue to promote the standards of freedom, democracy and basic human rights.

"[America] must double its commitment to the things it has done right," he said.

His support for the United States' global efforts reflects that of the rest of the world, de Klerk said.

"I say these things because we all look up to the United States, and on this low road on which we [the world] have found ourselves, we have reached a crossing," he said. "We owe it to the youth of the world to make sure we take the right turn."