Analysis: World stage beckons for Obama
World stage beckons for Barack Obama
Wednesday, 05, Nov 2008 12:00
After years of growing opposition to the US' foreign policy the world hopes Barack Obama's presidency will mark a new beginning in its relationship with America.
It is no coincidence the essence of the president-elect's foreign policy during his campaign directly addressed many of the concerns the world has about the US.
Ask most people what was the first element of his foreign policy stance they became aware of and they'll almost certainly mention his call for an exit strategy from Iraq.
George Bush's decision to oust Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq five years ago went against the will of the international community as expressed through the United Nations, fundamentally undermining that body's legitimacy.
Mr Obama wants a renewed approach to multilateralism and diplomacy. He hopes to start afresh with the world, winning back confidence in American global leadership.
It's a deliberate blank sheet which Mr Obama and his vice president, who specialises in foreign affairs, will hope to make the most of in the coming months.
Their campaign pledged to "rebuild alliances" and commit to meet with all nations, "friend and foe" to pursue American interests.
And it's widely expected perceptions of the US around the world will improve as a result of the incoming White House administration.
As an African-American this goodwill will be at its strongest in the continent of Mr Obama's grandfather. Such is the enthusiasm in his homeland Kenya it has declared a national holiday following Mr Obama's victory. They hope he will be the African president, injecting new vigour in its development. His rapturous reception in Europe earlier this year suggests their excitement is reflected elsewhere.
Despite all this, critics fear the blank sheet could become a blank cheque for many of America's "foes".
Mr Obama has pledged to meet with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a bid to break years of suspicion and mistrust between Tehran and Washington.
But Iran continues to insist on its right to develop nuclear energy despite the reservations of those who fear it has secret ambitions to develop a nuclear arsenal. Agreement will prove elusive.
Change, Mr Obama's buzzword, is also unlikely when it comes to relations with Russia. After Moscow opted to intervene in Georgia this summer the political temperature has plummeted. The US' commitment to Nato is, in itself, grounds for deep division between Americans and Russians. Mr Obama must tread very carefully here.
On a broader front many of the challenges faced by the Bush administration will continue to thwart US policymakers.
Time is running out for an agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians as progress towards a two-state solution becomes pressing. As usual the political prize for presiding over such an achievement is huge – but so is the difficulty level.
As commander-in-chief Mr Obama will find his policy of setting out a timetable for withdrawing from Iraq difficult. Recent improvements in security, largely credited to the troop surge he opposed, have set up an opportunity for further progress if all goes well. There is always the risk of setbacks, however.
And Afghanistan presents a growing problem. Here, more so now than in Iraq, is a conflict into which western countries find themselves deeply committed. Mr Obama wants to strengthen the US' commitment there; it could become his Vietnam.
The US has plenty of instances in which new presidents have espoused a new commitment to diplomacy and negotiations. This time appears different, simply given the huge gulf between Mr Obama's world view and that of his predecessors. Be warned, however. As the world settles down to an Obama presidency, the White House will begin to realise the biggest foreign affairs problems faced in the Oval Office will not be solved through negotiation alone.
Alex Stevenson