Organizing for America | Matthew Negrete's Commentary & News: Barack Obama's Foreign Affairs Essay

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Barack Obama's Foreign Affairs Essay

By Matthew Negrete - Jul 7th, 2007 at 5:11 pm EDT

Also listed in: The IR (International Relations) Forum

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Tags: Environment, foreign affairs, Foreign policy, international affairs, international relations, Middle East, Middle East peace, Obama, peace

In the July/August 2007 magazine issue of Foreign Affairs, Barack Obama wrote a very interesting foreign policy essay titled, Renewing American Leadership. He discusses topics that affect the U.S. and global community, such as security, ending the war in Iraq, the future of the military, the threat of nuclear weapons, restoring U.S. image abroad, and reestablish American trust in foreign policy matters. I will analyze some areas of this essay that I found interesting and noteworthy.

Firstly, I will mention a statement, right straight from the summary, which reads, "We may be tempted to turn inward. That would be a mistake." Since, the United States is the leader in the global community, it is important that this nation spreads the principles that have made this country strong. Over the past six years, our current President has unfortunately drifted this nation away from our prized principles. The initiation of the war in Iraq is one of the greatest examples. But, this mistake should not lead the past great achievements of our nation into a policy of isolationism. The U.S. has much at stake in the global community, and a Barack Obama Administration should lead this nation in truth, dignity, respect, understanding, and all other fine virtues.

Also, Barack Obama emphasizes other options besides a military solution. A very important option, which I have written in my other commentary posts, is the effectiveness of diplomacy. Obama describes a new policy in the twenty-first century that includes, "A vision that draws from the past but is not bound by outdated thinking." The mostly military solutions and ideology that have been enacted in the past six years are part of what Obama calls, "outdated thinking." Now what is "a vision that draws from the past?" The greatest example is Jimmy Carter's diplomacy that brought peace between the Egyptians and Israelis, which is still currently observed. An Obama Administration can create a new policy for the twenty-first century by learning the mistakes and great achievements of the past. Other countries' past successes toward finding a path toward peace should also be contemplated and possibly implemented to strengthen our foreign policy. This will show that the U.S. has a great interest in the ideas the global community has to offer.

In the section, Moving beyond Iraq, Barack Obama explains how it is important to first, end the war responsibly in Iraq. Afterwards, he will focus on other crises of the Middle East, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iran. In my posts, Peace in the Middle East and The Palestinian Conflict, I describe a possible starting-point a Barack Obama Administration could implement to find a solution to this conflict. Obama continues to write, "We must help the Israelis identify and strengthen those partners who are truly committed to peace, while isolating those who seek conflict and instability." This policy will greatly achieve the process toward lasting peace, as long as, it does not isolate groups that hold a crucial stake. I believe that isolating such groups will "isolate" and diminish the peace process, as a whole. Barack Obama also writes, "The world must work to stop Iran's uranium-enrichment program and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons." He states that diplomatic pressures would include, "applying tougher sanctions and increasing pressure from its key trading partners." Besides diplomatic pressures, a different type of solution should also be contemplated. Iran has stated that it needs nuclear facilities for more efficient electric output. If this is true, an Obama Administration should focus on a solution where Iran can have adequate electricity, but at the same time, not produce nuclear weapons.

Barack Obama also addressed greenhouse gas emissions. He wrote a well-written statement that reads, "As the world's largest producer of greenhouse gases, America has the responsibility to lead." The United States needs to set an example in reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. It also needs to stress this importance to other areas of the world, as Obama states, "China will soon replace America as the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases." When addressing this issue, it should be discussed in a manner where some countries, usually the poor and developing, do not feel that they are simply being exploited by the competing and wealthier nations. The issue of the environment, as well as others, has been part of a long-standing conflict between the Northern Hemisphere (representing more wealthy countries) and the Southern Hemisphere (representing poor and developing countries). An Obama Administration and the global community should address and help countries adjust their industries to more environmental-friendly methods.

Lastly, I will address some areas that I liked overall. Barack Obama addressed that all the major powers and newly growing countries should have a collaborative stake in global issues. In addition, he said, "Our global engagement cannot be defined by what we are against; it must be guided by a clear sense of what we stand for." Obama referred to some amazing quotes by Presidents John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt. He emphasizes the point that, "No foreign policy can succeed unless the American people understand it and feel they have a stake in its success." Toward the end of the essay, Barack Obama brilliantly writes, "I believe they will also agree that it is time for a new generation to tell the next great American story. If we act with boldness and foresight, we will be able to tell our grandchildren that this was the time when we helped forge peace in the Middle East . . . confronted climate change and secured weapons that could destroy the human race . . . defeated global terrorists and brought opportunity to forgotten corners of the world . . . and renewed the America that has led generations of weary travelers from all over the world to find opportunity and liberty and hope on our doorstep." Forging the future, first, begins with a dream to find a solution to these global problems. Then, the realization of such a dream takes a true leader and visionary for the common good. As I stated earlier, if Jimmy Carter worked toward bringing a lasting peace between the Egyptians and Israelis, why can't Barack Obama. It all begins with realizing and understanding the dream, then working with great and genuine effort to achieve it.

Click here, to read Barack Obama's essay, Renewing American Leadership.

Click here, to read my other commentaries.

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