FOREIGN POLICY THROUGH THE EYES OF
...Diplomatic policy
One of the criticisms of the Obama foreign policy is that he's too nice and too congenial with "enemy dictators" (from left to right North Korea, Iran, the Taliban, Cuba, Venezuela, and Hell!) Even The ECONOMIST magazine, one of the most important international political magazines today, agrees. Their recent article, entitled "Time to Engage" seems to prompt the president toward a more stern resolve: "Barack Obama's first-term caution was understandable, but he must now show greater resolve." Using this article as a guide, explore the data below:
The article starts by stating:
Take the case of Syria. To date, President Bashar Al-Assad has killed over 100,000 of his own people, but why hasn't the president acted? According to the article, Obama talked "of a global order in which America offered “tough love” while pressing rising powers to share the burden."
- Serving and retired officials, policy experts and diplomats from friendly governments express understanding for the meager results of Mr Obama’s first-term diplomacy. They understand...[Obama's decisions of] extending open hands to Iran and Russia, offering a cold shoulder to North Korea, and trying to heal the Middle East by reaching out to the Muslim world....But if the president remains as coolly calculating and reluctant to engage in his second term, even firm friends will find it hard to forgive.
Take the case of Syria. To date, President Bashar Al-Assad has killed over 100,000 of his own people, but why hasn't the president acted? According to the article, Obama talked "of a global order in which America offered “tough love” while pressing rising powers to share the burden."
The article states that:
- Mr. Obama has heard appeals to arm rebel groups, to impose a no-fly zone on Syria [TRANSLATION: Permit no aircraft from flying in Syria, therefore reducing Assad's ability to drop bombs on his own people] or take out the despot’s air forces on the ground. His response is to ask for evidence that such interventions would make things better, rather than satisfy the urge to “do something” at the risk of escalating the conflict. His second response is to ask for the price-tag: no small matter to a nation tired of war. Internal arguments have been passionate. "Whom would you have us bomb?" people ask. "Snipers in cities?" "How much American power would be needed to bring peace?" After all, almost 150,000 American troops were in Iraq at the peak of its [ethnic] killings. So America is left rallying support for the formation of an inclusive opposition and preparing for the day after the Assad regime falls.
1. In examining the case of Syria, how is Obama now choosing to react to international conflict...a way that might be different from the past?
Obama appointed John Kerry as Secretary of State for his second term. Remember that the "Secretary of State" is in charge of American diplomacy and foreign relations. His original choice, United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice, was passed over as it was believed the Kerry could better deal with global explosivity and tensions in the Middle East. In the words of The ECONOMIST, John Kerry's nomination "underscores Mr. Obama’s belief that America must pursue diplomacy to the bitter end, and be seen to do so."
So, what of the current state of Afghanistan, an issue of importance of the last 13 years? The article continues:
So, what of the current state of Afghanistan, an issue of importance of the last 13 years? The article continues:
- When the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, was in Washington on January 11th, 2013, Mr. Obama sketched out plans for a “very limited mission” for American forces in the country after 2014. Some White House aides are said to be pushing for a garrison of as few as 2,500 troops, far smaller than was discussed only a year ago. Mr. Obama asserted that America had achieved its central goal: to dismantle al-Qaeda and prevent Afghanistan from being used as a future launch pad for attacks against America. Had years in Afghanistan achieved everything some had imagined possible? he asked rhetorically. Probably not, was his cool response.
2. At the start of 2012, the Iraq War formally ended. And Afghanistan is set to end in 2014. What's the biggest difference between 2009 and 2013 in terms of troops abroad?
3. ANALYSIS and EVALUATION: Obama says, "Probably not," in regards to whether or not Afghanistan was "truly accomplished." If it wasn't, "accomplished", why pull out and end the involvement?
And lastly, we must talk of China. The article states that, "the keystone of the president’s diplomacy was and is the 'pivot' to Asia. The challenge is to steer a course between engagement with a rising China and demands from China’s neighbors for America to play a balancing role in the region. This is made trickier because American relations with China are saddled with a split personality." Furthermore:
4. ANALYSIS and ARGUMENT: China might well become the world's largest economy someday, but even then, according to the article, they will still need the U.S. Why?
The reality is that China still needs American ingenuity. There's no ability to make money when the United States still leads the world in technology invention and innovation. You INVEST in that technology and THEN you make money! Is it no wonder that they stole trade and technology secrets in February 2013 by hacking into government computers? Yeah. Scary...
3. ANALYSIS and EVALUATION: Obama says, "Probably not," in regards to whether or not Afghanistan was "truly accomplished." If it wasn't, "accomplished", why pull out and end the involvement?
And lastly, we must talk of China. The article states that, "the keystone of the president’s diplomacy was and is the 'pivot' to Asia. The challenge is to steer a course between engagement with a rising China and demands from China’s neighbors for America to play a balancing role in the region. This is made trickier because American relations with China are saddled with a split personality." Furthermore:
- America’s offer [to China] is straightforward: play by global rules, show restraint in the neighborhood [in regards to expanding and taking other territory] and we will not prevent you becoming the world’s largest economy....As well as these [rules for China], America also has carrots. China is increasingly eager to invest abroad, which gives it new reason to play by international rules. Negotiations around the Trans Pacific Partnership, a trade pact that currently excludes China, could also offer inducements.
4. ANALYSIS and ARGUMENT: China might well become the world's largest economy someday, but even then, according to the article, they will still need the U.S. Why?
The reality is that China still needs American ingenuity. There's no ability to make money when the United States still leads the world in technology invention and innovation. You INVEST in that technology and THEN you make money! Is it no wonder that they stole trade and technology secrets in February 2013 by hacking into government computers? Yeah. Scary...
The article concludes with the following:
5. CONCLUSION: In examining everything you learned in this section (Syria, John Kerry, the Iraq and Afghan Wars), do you think Obama has done a good job? Why or why not?
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- The government’s failure to draw up a proper legal basis for 21st-century conflicts is grave. Serious legal risks are being stored up by the repeated use of drone strikes, often with intelligence from foreign agencies. [Illegal detention] of terror suspects continue; so do military tribunals outside the normal courts. The cells at Guantánamo Bay have not been emptied....[Many U.S. government leaders want to see]...progress on such issues as banning land mines [like the hundreds of thousands left over in Vietnam after the war]. Mr. Obama always planned for an eight-year presidency. The first half was for laying groundwork, not getting results. Maybe, but such excuses will not wash for four more years.
5. CONCLUSION: In examining everything you learned in this section (Syria, John Kerry, the Iraq and Afghan Wars), do you think Obama has done a good job? Why or why not?
Click the button to continue on to the next part of the activity, or click "HOME" if you're finished.