Eleanor Finch
Barack Obama's foreign policy was focused on strengthening international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. Obama's notable successes include the bin Laden raid, the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, and the overthrow of Muammar al-Qaddafi. Obama also attempted to reset relations with Russia, negotiating the New START nuclear reduction treaty. Obama's foreign policy efforts were recognized by the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to him for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Strengthening international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples | Calling for a new start to relations between the Muslim world and the West based on common interests and mutual understanding and respect |
| Support for a world free from nuclear weapons | Negotiation of the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia |
| Support for using established international bodies | Using the United Nations to pursue foreign policy goals |
| Opposition to war | An early opponent of President George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq in 2003 |
| Withdrawal of troops | Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan |
| Support for international law | Criticism for an inconsistent approach to international law in counterterrorism operations |
| Improvement of relations with Russia | Negotiation of the New START nuclear reduction treaty |
| Support for democracy | Issuing a strong condemnation of the threats, beatings, and imprisonments of protesters in Iran |
| Support for international intervention | Backing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 to create a Libyan no-fly zone |
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What You'll Learn
- Obama advocated for a world free from nuclear weapons
- He called for a new start to relations between the Muslim world and the West
- Obama supported the vision of a world free from nuclear weapons
- He ordered the attack on Osama bin Laden
- Obama negotiated the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia
Obama advocated for a world free from nuclear weapons
Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples". This included his support for a world free from nuclear weapons.
Obama had long advocated for dialogue and cooperation across national, ethnic, religious, and political dividing lines. As President, he called for a new start to relations between the Muslim world and the West, based on mutual understanding and respect. He set in motion a plan to withdraw US troops from Iraq, reducing troop levels from 160,000 to 50,000 by August 2010, with all combat forces removed. The remaining troops were to be withdrawn by the end of 2011, though a small number remained until 2014.
Obama also negotiated the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia, reducing the number of nuclear weapons in the world. He supported the use of established international bodies such as the United Nations to pursue foreign policy goals, including backing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 to create a Libyan no-fly zone. Obama's administration also joined with NATO to help Libyan rebels overthrow the dictator, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
Obama's commitment to a world without nuclear weapons was a key part of his foreign policy. He pursued a reset of relations with Russia, which included the New START treaty, and he supported the North Korean nuclear weapons program talks. He also condemned violence and the suppression of democratic protests in Iran, stating his support for universal values of free speech and peaceful dissent.
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He called for a new start to relations between the Muslim world and the West
As President, Barack Obama called for a new start to relations between the Muslim world and the West, emphasising common interests, mutual understanding, and respect. This was in line with his campaign promise to withdraw US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Obama's efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples were recognised by the Nobel Committee, which awarded him the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Even before his election, Obama advocated for dialogue and cooperation across national, ethnic, religious, and political dividing lines.
In pursuit of a new start with the Muslim world, Obama took several significant steps. Firstly, he continued the process of withdrawing US troops from Iraq, reducing the number of troops from 160,000 to 50,000 by August 2010, with a complete disengagement of US forces from active combat by 2014. This withdrawal was facilitated by the gains achieved by the previous administration's "surge" of additional troops, which helped stabilise the country.
Secondly, Obama initially increased the US military presence in Afghanistan to prevent the extremist Taliban regime from regaining power and to deny al-Qaeda a base for terrorist operations. However, he later changed strategy, opting for a short-term surge of troops with a focus on training Afghan forces to fight the Taliban. This approach aimed to empower the Afghan government to eventually defeat the Taliban independently.
Thirdly, Obama's administration played a crucial role in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which created a Libyan no-fly zone to prevent Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi from using violence against popular demonstrations. This intervention aligned with Obama's support for using established international bodies like the United Nations to pursue foreign policy goals, as noted by the Nobel Committee.
Finally, Obama's administration expressed strong condemnation of violence and injustice during the Iranian Green Movement. While critics argued that he should have done more to support the movement directly, Obama emphasised respect for Iranian sovereignty and universal values of free speech and peaceful dissent.
Through these actions, Obama worked towards improving relations between the Muslim world and the West, seeking to build a foundation of mutual understanding, cooperation, and respect.
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Obama supported the vision of a world free from nuclear weapons
On April 5, 2009, Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, gave a speech in Hradcany Square, Prague, in which he laid out his vision for a world without nuclear weapons. In his speech, Obama expressed his deep interest in reducing nuclear arms, stating that he was committed to seeking the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons. He acknowledged that achieving this goal would take time and that, in the meantime, the United States would maintain a "safe, secure, and effective" nuclear arsenal.
Obama's vision for a world without nuclear weapons was in line with the policies of previous US presidents, including Ronald Reagan, who had also expressed support for the elimination of nuclear weapons. Obama believed that the United States, as the only nation ever to use nuclear weapons, had a moral obligation to lead the way in eliminating them. He recognised that no single nation could achieve this vision alone and emphasised the need for global cooperation.
To work towards this vision, Obama took several steps to strengthen the global regime that prevents the spread of nuclear weapons. This included supporting and strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and uniting the international community against the spread of nuclear weapons, particularly in Iran. Obama also pursued a new framework for civil nuclear cooperation, which would allow countries to access peaceful nuclear energy without enriching uranium, reducing the risk of diversion or theft.
Despite Obama's efforts, achieving a world without nuclear weapons remains a challenging goal. One significant challenge is persuading other states, such as Russia, to accept a non-nuclear world. Following the signature of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) in April 2010, Obama called for negotiations with Russia to further reduce strategic nuclear weapons and bring in non-strategic nuclear weapons. However, Moscow chose not to engage in further bilateral negotiations, in part due to Washington's reluctance to discuss limits on missile defence and conventional strike systems.
Additionally, the breakdown of the regime limiting US and Russian nuclear arms has further complicated matters. Russia violated the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, and neither the Obama nor the Trump administration successfully brought Moscow back into compliance. As a result, the United States and Russia have continued to develop new nuclear capabilities, leading to concerns about global stability, security, and predictability.
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He ordered the attack on Osama bin Laden
Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, ordered the attack on Osama bin Laden, the founder and leader of al-Qaeda, a terrorist organization. Bin Laden was responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent people and had orchestrated several attacks on the United States, including the 9/11 attacks. In his 2007 presidential campaign, Obama pledged to make the hunt for bin Laden a priority and promised to act if intelligence showed that bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan.
True to his word, shortly after taking office, Obama directed the CIA to make finding bin Laden the top priority in the war against al-Qaeda. This led to a painstaking intelligence operation that lasted several years and culminated in the discovery of bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. After months of planning, Obama authorized a targeted operation, carried out by a small team of Americans, that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden. The operation was successful, and no Americans were harmed. The team took custody of bin Laden's body and avoided civilian casualties.
The death of bin Laden marked a significant achievement in the United States' efforts to defeat al-Qaeda and brought closure to the nation, especially in light of the 9/11 attacks. Obama's decision to order the attack demonstrated his commitment to protecting American citizens and bringing those responsible for the vicious attacks to justice. It also showcased his decisiveness and judgment as a leader, as Americans celebrated the successful elimination of a long-standing threat to their country and its allies.
The successful operation against bin Laden was a result of Obama's campaign promise to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation. By prioritizing the hunt for bin Laden and working with allies, Obama demonstrated his dedication to protecting national security and fostering collaboration across nations to combat terrorism. This decisive action against a common enemy helped strengthen diplomatic ties and reinforce America's commitment to its allies in the fight against global terrorism.
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Obama negotiated the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia
President Barack Obama's efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples were recognised by the Nobel Committee, which awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. One of the key ways in which Obama strengthened international diplomacy was by negotiating the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia.
The New START treaty is the successor to the START I treaty, which was signed in 1991 and expired in 2009. START I was a bilateral treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union that aimed to reduce and limit strategic offensive arms. It imposed a limit of 6,000 nuclear warheads and 1,600 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and bombers for each signatory.
The New START treaty, on the other hand, imposed even more stringent limitations on the United States and Russia. It aimed to reduce the number of deployed warheads on each side to 1,500-1,675 on 500-1,100 delivery systems. The treaty also included a separate limit of 700 deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs, and deployed heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments. This limit was less than half the corresponding limit under the START I treaty.
The New START treaty was signed by President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on 8 April 2010 in Prague and entered into force on 5 February 2011 after ratification. The treaty was considered a landmark achievement and a cornerstone of US-Russia relations. It was also recognised as an important step towards the shared vision of a world without nuclear weapons.
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Frequently asked questions
Obama's administration supported the overthrow of Muammar al-Qaddafi in Libya, joining the NATO intervention and authorising other military actions. Obama also withdrew troops from Iraq, keeping his 2008 election campaign promise.
Obama attempted to reset relations with Russia during his first term. He successfully negotiated the New START nuclear reduction treaty.
Obama issued a strong condemnation of the violence against protesters in Iran, stating: "The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, beatings and imprisonments of the last few days".
