Taking a Look at Obama’s Foreign Policy
By PhilosoGuy at 2 January, 2010, 10:31 am
Zbigniew Brzezinski accurately outlines the main Obama Administration foreign policy initiatives. His article hinges on the title “From Hope to Audacity” and discusses the general failure of the Obama administration in each goal it has set, which has either failed or is in the same thread as the Bush Administration.
(The quoted text is from Brzezinski’s article: “From Hope to Audacity: Appraising Obama’s Foreign Policy.” Foreign Affairs (January/February 2010) pp.16-17)
“The United States will be a fair-minded and assertive mediator when it comes to attaining lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.”
-Yet the Israelis are already thumbing their noses at us with the settlement issue.
“The United States ought to pursue serious negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program…”
-Yet we found a secret and advanced nuclear facility that the Iranians had been hiding this entire time, clearly demonstrating their hostile and revisionist intentions.
“The counter insurgency [in Afghanistan will not be] a predominantly military one.”
-And Obama escalated the number of troops by 30,000 based on an American General’s public (and unconventional) declaration for the need for escalation outside of the normal lines of communication.
“The US should respect Latin America’s cultural and historical sensitivities and expand its contacts with Cuba.”
-Fidel was succeeded by his brother, Raul, who offered unconditionally to speak with the US. Other than that (which had nothing to do with Obama), Chavez and other South American dictators are still running strong and purchasing offensive weapons from Russia.
“In coping with global problems, China should be treated not only as an economic partner but also as a geopolitical one.”
-This is no different from the Bush administration. Consider the Chinese ship detachment to patrol the Somali coast. If that isn’t partnership then I don’t know what is. Also, in light of Clinton’s assurance that we wouldn’t pressure China on humanitarian issues, how can Obama be said to be performing well in this area?
“Improving U.S.-Russian relations is in the obvious interest of both sides, although this must be done in a manner that accepts, rather than seeks to undo, post-Cold War geopolitical realities.”
- Of particular note is the “resetting” of relations in light of Russian revisionism and expansionism in Georgia as well as the abandoning of land-based missile defense in Eastern Europe. You can’t signal lack of commitment and damage our credibility and better than that…
And finally: “A truly collegial transatlantic partnership should be given deeper meaning, particularly in order to heal the rifts caused by the destructive controversies of the past few years.”
-Yes, Obama went on a publicity trip in Europe. His main supporters there (Sarkozy, Brown, Merkel, Berlusconi…etc.) were all staunchly pro-American when Bush was in office.
In Response To: http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/65720/zbigniew-brzezinski/from-hope-to-audacity
PhilosoGuy.com is not meant for everyone. Its purpose is to foster intelligent conversation of many different topics. Feel free to interact and respond to the posts. However, please make sure that you don't waste anyone's time with what you say. This site is meant for smart people and if it offends you then you don't belong here.
Nice writing style. I look forward to reading more in the future.
Have you ever written anything about Bush’ foreign policy? Then save yourself the effort, and copy paste it onto your blogs about Obama. Add neocon to flavor.
Like it.