Foreign Policy Challenges for the Obama Administration

On March 30, 2009 I heard the finest lecture on American foreign policy, and the most comprehensive analysis of the many challenges facing the new Obama Administration that I have ever seen. On this day, the Friends of Mary Kintz Bevevino Library at Misericordia University in Dallas Pennsylvania, hosted a lecture by G. Jonathan Greenwald, a retired US foreign service officer and vice president of the International Crisis Group, the world's leading source of analysis and advice to governments on prevention and resolution of violent and deadly conflicts. His lecture was entitled "The Foreign Policy Agenda for the New Administration," and addressed the impact of the world economic crisis on foreign policy. Mr. Greenwald is a native of Northeastern Pennsylvania and gives back to the community by periodically returning to the area and talking to and helping students who are interested in careers in international affairs, and briefing the community on the latest foreign policy developments in Washington. Let us review the main points Mr. Greenwald made during his presentation.

World Public Opinion Greenwald states that he heard the most criticism and experienced the most unhappiness with the United States during the Presidency of George W. Bush than at any time during his forty year career. People felt that the US pursued failed policies or that good policies were not properly carried out. Most people believe that a strong and effective America makes a positive international environment. He took a trip after the election and found great enthusiasm for the Obama Administration in Europe. The Europeans are glad we elected our first black President as they did not think we had it in us. Once the tough decisions are made the President's popularity will inevitably decline. This good will is a fleeting opportunity which the new Administration must try to utilize.

Globalization The global economy is here to stay and we must cooperate with other nations to make it work. In the 1930s people reacted to the depression with protectionism rather than cooperation. Protectionism had disastrous results. He is optimistic that we can cooperate with our economic trading partners to find common ground and solutions. The G-20 includes Europe and the new economic powers in Asia. This is a positive development as we can now deal with most of the major economic powers under one umbrella. Greenwald believes the European Union (EU) is a great success story as a major war in Europe is almost impossible. How the Europeans handle the current economic crises can make or break the EU. The EU was established to handle problems just like this one. Narrow minded nationalism can prevent a united action which is based on the common interests. A policy which is based on an enlightened self interest, however, can resolve the internal conflict and tension. The Europeans want more government regulations while US policy is based on Keynesian economics and massive government spending to fight the recession. A common ground can and must be found.

The Third World The third world is suffering more than the developed world as they went into the Great Recession with much less. Third world problems are much more severe and the Obama Administration must give them a very high priority. Failure to successfully deal with Third World problems can lead to more drugs coming into the US, countries that cannot control their drug cartels, refugees coming into the US, and even more terrorism. The world bank states that economic growth in the Third World will decline and push additional millions below the poverty line. Remittances from people working abroad is a major source of income in the Third World and is estimated at $300 billion a year. This is more than foreign aid and investment combined. Many people believe that immigration can become a sudden crisis for the Obama Administration as millions of foreign workers collide with millions of American workers who have lost their jobs or took significant cuts in pay and benefits.

UN Peacekeeping Operations These operations are essential to maintaining the peace but they are very expensive. They cost about seven billion dollars a year and the US must pay its share. The Obama Administration must avoid the temptation and the political pressure to cut here. UN Peacekeepers serve in areas that have already been devastated by war. In the African Congo five million lives have already been lost. Haiti is close to US shores, and is recovering from political instability and hurricanes. Haiti is a major source of drugs coming into the US and 25% of Gross National Product (GNP) in Haiti is remittances that come from Haitians working abroad. Liberia is another important county that requires UN Peacekeepers as it recovers form a brutal civil war. Cut back on UN Peacekeepers and war will break out and it will cost the US treasury and possibly American lives.

Terrorism The new administration must develop a coherent strategy for dealing with terrorism. There are critical issues to be resolved such as identifying the political problem and what terrorists want. The administration must identify the issues that are fueling terrorism and determine if normal political dialog is possible. Finally, the administration must determine if solving political problems or using military force is the best way to deal with terrorism.

Diplomacy The new administration must define what diplomacy is all about. Greenwald believes diplomacy is exploring with people you have a problem with how to solve those problems. The new administration wants dialog with Iran. Once they sit down with the Iranians how do they talk to them? Many former Presidents have demanded serious concessions from the enemy before they would sit down with them and discuss their point of view. This tough stance is great for domestic politics, but it does not lead to successful diplomacy. We have had diplomatic efforts to persuade North Korea to give up their nuclear weapons. The North Koreans want assurances that the US will not attempt to overthrow their regime. Much of the dialog out of Washington is that the North Koreans must disarm and open up to inspections and then the US will consider their issues. This approach simply does not work. Real diplomacy is both sides agreeing on and cooperating on areas of common interests.

Conclusion The Obama Administration has many great foreign policy challenges to deal with. They have a fleeting window of opportunity to obtain cooperative agreements from supportive regimes around the world. After that they will need great wisdom and skill to manage the economic crisis and the numerous foreign policy issues all at the same time.

Source: G. Jonathan Greenwald, A lecture entitled "The Foreign Policy Agenda for the New Administration," March 30, 2009, Misericordia University, Dallas Pennsylvania.