The Audacity Of Obama's Foreign Policy

To those who thought Obama would end all war, wipe out global poverty, save the environment, and eradicate terrorism in one fell swoop, they will be sadly disappointed by this earthling-like leader of the free world's slacker performance.

But Obama's foreign policy has not been half bad. He has followed his campaign script on a number of fronts, namely his desire to take the war to Pakistan and step up Predator strikes against al-Qaeda targets. That is not to say I agree with this tactic, but you cannot fault him for not warning us first (in fact, he was pilloried by Republicans, who now seem to support such hawkish policies). He has done wonders to restore the American brand in the Arab world (though he has a long way to go; eight years of Bush will require more than just one speech).

He has stood up (somewhat) to Israel, though his criticism of the Goldstone report seemed like political pandering. He has put off the boneheaded idea of building a missile shield in Europe. He has reached out to Iran, and sensibly stayed on the sidelines when protests there erupted. He has sought a dialogue with Sudan, something he eluded to when he said we do not punish dictators by not talking to them (bravo!). He has begun the process of pulling out of Iraq, while stampeding blindly into Afghanistan. Whatever you might think of the Afghan "surge," again, this was something Obama mentioned more than once he would do (even his waffling is forgivable; I want a Commander in Chief who weighs his decisions carefully, even if it makes the military honchos a tad upset).

He has had some stumbles. He has gotten boxed in on the Middle East peace process. It's still early, and let's hope the settlement issue is like the public option (something he demands up front, then backs away from, then regains the upper hand on after the dust settles). He has failed to define why Afghanistan is so critical to U.S. security concerns, when the next attack against Americans will likely come from sleeper cells in the West, not from some guy in a cave. He has sought a strategy in Pakistan that focuses on killing the enemy, not winning local hearts and minds (the former makes the latter impossible, actually). Finally, (and this is nitpicking), he has stuffed our embassies with political donors. That is a tradition with a long history in Washington and probably of small consequence, but let's hope when I stumble into millions and donate to him down the road, they don't make me ambassador to China (actually, his ambassador pick to China was pretty sound).

Obama promised to restore frayed alliances and keep America strong. I think he has been impressive on this front. His choice of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, which I mocked him for at the time, seems like a pretty good one (it's Biden I worry about). His envoys -- George Mitchell and Richard Holbrooke -- are the best in the business. And high marks for keeping Robert Gates on as defense secretary. Overall, I'm optimistic. When I travel, the world shares this optimism about Obama. I still am excited to see his head shot on screen savers in the Middle East (I have yet to see any nasty anti-Obama graffiti). His swagger on foreign relations to date has been admirable. Of course, at this time in Bush's first term, I might have said the same thing.

So, one year after the election, what do you think Candidate Obama would think of President Obama? Tweet your response (our Twitter hashtag is #OneYearLater), or post it in the comments section.

 

Comments

[rissole]

There is no foreign policy unless you are talking about Israel.

[Billy Hell]

Yeah, he's towing the line well enough right?

[Badbone]

Indeed, all too human. But he wasn't sold that way, was he? Even now, Obama continues to be referred to as, "smartest man in Washington", "brilliant". The list goes on.

Obama wasn't billed as 'just another guy' as you are claiming he is now. He was billed as the anti-Bush, the savior of America. He failed to live up to the hype, and now columnists like you are trying to reign in that hype. Not gonna happen. it was you that set the yardstick. Don't be surprised if Obama gets measured by it.

[SGGrossman]

I do think the President's foreign policy is at least half-bad. This "stampeding blindly into Afghanistan" that you shrug off is the road to generations of disaster. I was an Obama volunteer, donor and supporter, but I will not follow the President or the Democrats one step further into war in Afghanistan or Pakistan. I think that de-escalating this disastrous buildup should top the agenda.

My ("Vietnam") generation recognizes "Escalation Row." We know this historical geography by heart -- we have seen every fork and turn, every bullshit domino theory, every wave-the-bloody-shirt, every light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel, every one-more-escalation.

These days, in Democratic Party fundraisers, I hear the sound of oxygen being sucked out of the progressive movement into a Democratic Party that will be excruciatingly slow to break with the president over expanding the Af-Pak War. I respond that I will not support any candidate, including the President, my Democratic Senators, or my usually progressive Congresswoman, who authorizes or votes to fund further military escalation in Af-Pak.

I am convinced that we must stop these Vietnam-like escalations now, or our grandchildren will be killing and dying in South Waziristan. With regard to Af-Pak Democrats, I will withhold my volunteerism, my donor-dollars, and my vote (without voting Republican); I will help build an antiwar movement willing to replace these Democrats; and I will support antiwar Democrats (and third-party progressives) as they emerge.

[alex61]

"Mere Earthling"?? Funny-he wasn't presented to the voters as a 'mere Earthling' before the election. Then, he could walk on water. Obama the Magnificent was going to solve all our problems by virtue of he sheer brilliance. His disciples believed in him. Now, it's excuse making time.