Tuesday 24 February 2009

A New Type of Realism?

Hillary Clinton's announcement that economics and climate change will take precedent over human rights and Tibet with regard to relations with China suggests that the new Administration is not hesitant to adopt a pragmatic realist approach to its relations with other countries - particulalry the powerful. This follows in the wake of President Obama's invitation to states suspicious of the new Administration to unclench their fist. A new approach, maybe, but smart power suggests a combination of the old and the new. As an essentially domestic president - he will stand or fall on his economic policy - he may well disappoint many who supported him as he compromises principles in foreign policy for the sake of economic stability. That would not make him unusual as a president, but those who shouted 'Yes we can' and celebrated American renwal would probably like more of the Wilsonian rhetoric and less of the Roosveltian actions.

Tuesday 17 February 2009

Though we are not yet a month into the presidency of Barack Obama much has happened.

In his inaugural speech, he implicitly criticised the outgoing president, George W. Bush, at least nine times. Within his first week in office he signalled significant changes in direction. Traditionally an incoming president pays his first visit to the Pentagon. Obama did not - he visited the State Department, simultaneously announcing the appointment of George Mitchell and Richard Holbrooke as Special Envoys. This appeared to reflect the shift towards a foreign policy centred more on smart power than hard power.

He reversed the Bush Administration's ban on foreign aid being given to groups that supported abortion. He announced the intended closure of Guantanamo Bay and, crucially, banned the use of torture.

This week Secretary of State Clinton has begun a tour of Asia, reflecting the growing importance of the region to America's interests, and the increasing power of China. Traditionally the Secretary of State pays their first visit to the Middle East or Europe.

Today (17 February) Obama has signed into law the largest stimulus package in America history to help secure up to four million jobs in the next two years, and announced the deployment of 12,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. These two issues will make or break his presidency - the first perhaps more than the second.

Obama may have the support of the American public, and his approval ratings remain high, but he remains disappointed by the lack of bipartisan support in Congress. Not one Republican in the House voted for his stimulus package.

The pressure is on to make a mark in the first 100 days, as all presidents have been driven to do since the heady days of Roosevelt and the New Deal. What is remakable about Obama is that he is seeking to do so in both domestic and foreign policy.