An Historic Opportunity

Yesterday the world watched closely to see who would shape the future direction of our country. Now that the campaigning and election are over, it�s time to look at what an Obama Presidency means for U.S. foreign policy. Turning away from the failed and broken policies of the Bush Administration was a cornerstone of Obama's campaign, but what kind of change will Obama bring to the White House?

President Elect Obama promises to renew American Diplomacy. He has stated many times that he will meet with world leaders without preconditions and pursue tough, direct diplomacy with Iran. President Elect Obama believes that the diplomatic effort in Iran has not been exhausted, and he and Vice President Elect Biden rejected the Kyl-Lieberman amendment which allows our military presence in Iraq to counter the threat from Iran, extending the Iraq War or allowing for an attack on Iran. Obama and Biden plan to make the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a key diplomatic priority as well. They claim they will work with both Israel and Palestine to create two states, a Jewish state in Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security.

Obama has consistently repeated his opposition to the war and the need to pull troops out of Iraq. However, how and when troops will be withdrawn is yet to be decided. The Bush Administration has been fighting the Maliki government in Iraq over a Status of Forces Agreement all year, hoping to lock in U.S. presence in Iraq before he leaves office. Maliki has been resistant and the U.S. and Iraqi government have strongly differed on the terms of U.S. presence in Iraq.

During the campaign, Obama called for a redirection of resources away from Iraq to Afghanistan. With the recent resignation of President Musharraf in Pakistan and the heating-up of conflict in the tribal areas bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, the situation could be difficult for the new President to manage. Controversy has surrounded the U.S.�s crossing the border into Pakistan to kill what the military claims are Al Qaeda operatives.

This year, the U.S. opened up nuclear weapons sales to India. The deal has the potential to unravel many international treaties on non-proliferation because India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Obama said in his campaign that he supports the U.S. ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and he supports the U.S. taking an active role in securing loose nuclear materials to prevent them from falling into the hands of terrorists.

What is in store for American foreign policy under President Obama? Will he be able to deliver real change? Where does Obama stand on Iraq? Iran? Afghanistan? Will direct diplomacy work? Will President Obama be able to salvage the U.S.�s reputation in the world? How will President Obama be significantly different than President Bush? What is the Bush legacy that President Obama will inherit?