25 July 2008
Obama Emphasizes Multilateral U.S. Foreign Policymaking
Illinois senator urges a responsible end to the Iraq war
Washington -- The United States must bring the Iraq war to a responsible end and renew American leadership to meet new global challenges and capitalize on new opportunities, Democratic Senator Barack Obama says.
"America cannot meet this century's challenges alone; the world cannot meet them without America," Obama says. "Today, we are again called to provide visionary leadership."
The first-term senator from Illinois and presumed Democratic presidential nominee, is running against Republican Senator John McCain for the U.S presidency.
Obama outlined his foreign policy vision in an article appearing in the July/August 2007 issue of Foreign Affairs, a journal published by the highly respected New York-based Council on Foreign Relations.
The article addresses a concern expressed by some allies that the United States might avoid international engagement after U.S. forces leave Iraq. Obama has made the responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq a centerpiece of his foreign policy vision for the United States under his presidency.
"After thousands of lives lost and billions of dollars spent, many Americans may be tempted to turn inward and cede our leadership in world affairs," he said in the Foreign Affairs article. "But this is a mistake we must not make. America cannot meet the threats of this century alone, and the world cannot meet them without America."
The United States can neither retreat from the world nor attempt to force it into submission, he writes.
"We must lead the world, by deed and by example. Such leadership demands that we retrieve a fundamental insight of Roosevelt, Truman and Kennedy -- one that is truer now than ever before: the security and well-being of each and every American depend on the security and well-being of those who live beyond our borders."
FIRST STEPS
Obama said he believes the United States’ first step must be to "bring the Iraq war to a responsible end and refocus our attention on the broader Middle East." This view, which was shared by other Democratic presidential candidates, is a major difference with the political perspective of McCain, who sees U.S. forces prevailing in Iraq and remaining there until security firmly is established under the Iraqi government.
"Iraq was a diversion from the fight against the terrorists who struck us on 9/11, and incompetent prosecution of the war by America's civilian leaders compounded the strategic blunder of choosing to wage it in the first place," Obama writes.
In June, Obama convened the first meeting of his national security advisory group in Washington. The group includes experienced advisers drawn mostly from the Clinton administration.
In his opening remarks, Obama said that "instead of adhering to a rigid ideology, I want to get back to the pragmatic tradition of American foreign policy which has been so ably advanced by the people in this room, a policy that's focused on using all elements of American power to protect our people and to advance our interests."
The problems created by the U.S. invasion of Iraq make resolving the other thorny issues in the Middle East, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, immensely more complex, he said, adding that changing the dynamic in Iraq will permit the United States to focus on resolving the conflict.
"Sustained American leadership for peace and security will require patient effort and the personal commitment of the president of the United States," he said. "That is a commitment I will make."
On Iran, Obama cites the need for tough-minded diplomacy coupled with the full range of American instruments of power. But he adds that policies that depend on threats and surrogates to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions are failing.
"Our diplomacy should aim to raise the cost for Iran of continuing its nuclear program by applying tougher sanctions and increasing pressure from its key trading partners," he says.
REBUILDING THE ARMED FORCES
In addition to new diplomatic approaches, Obama says he believes revitalizing the U.S. armed forces is critical to sustaining global peace.
"Unfortunately, the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps, according to our military leaders, are facing a crisis. The Pentagon cannot certify a single Army unit within the United States as fully ready to respond in the event of a new crisis or emergency beyond Iraq; 88 percent of the National Guard is not ready to deploy overseas," he said.
Obama says he wants to expand the Army's ground combat forces by 65,000 troops and the Marines' combat units by 27,000.
"Each major defense program should be re-evaluated in light of current needs, gaps in the field, and likely future threat scenarios," he says. Obama also calls for a military that is better educated, better equipped and has advanced foreign language training and other critical combat and support skills.
Obama also calls for a substantial new global effort to secure, destroy and stop the spread of nuclear weapons.
"America must lead a global effort to secure all nuclear weapons and material at vulnerable sites within four years -- the most effective way to prevent terrorists from acquiring a bomb," he says.
Such an initiative would require substantial Russian cooperation. The United States should not shy away from pushing for more democracy and accountability in Russia, but "must work with the country in areas of common interest."
DEFEATING GLOBAL TERRORISM
In the struggle against international terrorism, Obama said the focus of U.S. security efforts must be Afghanistan and Pakistan, where he says al-Qaida’s “roots run deepest."
He urges lifting limitations on NATO-led forces in Afghanistan, integrating strategic planning and engaging in sustained diplomacy to isolate remnants of the Taliban regime.
In other foreign policy areas, Obama calls for:
• Constant cooperation and revision of U.S. alliances beginning with NATO;
• A new framework in Asia that goes beyond bilateral agreements and occasional summits; and
• Investment in capable, democratic states that can establish healthy communities, develop markets and generate wealth.
For information about Senator McCain's foreign policy positions, see "Candidate McCain Aims to Revitalize U.S. Global Standing."
