Obama's Diplomacy: A Strategy Of Engagement And Pragmatism

President Barack Obama's diplomatic approach was pragmatic and piecemeal, focusing on negotiation and collaboration rather than confrontation. Obama's foreign policy was guided by a liberal internationalist worldview, emphasizing peaceful conflict resolution, global cooperation, and the use of smart power, which leverages diplomatic, economic, military, and cultural tools. He inherited ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, initiating withdrawals from Iraq and surges in Afghanistan. Obama's administration also supported the overthrow of Muammar al-Qaddafi in Libya, faced criticism for inaction in Syria, and urged democratic reforms in Egypt and Tunisia. Obama's diplomacy was characterized by a preference for multinational action and targeted military strikes, as seen in his counterterrorism efforts against ISIS.

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Obama's approach to foreign policy was pragmatic and piecemeal

Obama's foreign policy was also characterised by a focus on diplomacy and a shift away from the perception of Washington as prone to knee-jerk military interventionism. He sought to restore the US's standing internationally, especially in the Arab and Muslim worlds, by returning to diplomacy and engaging in talks with extremist actors. Obama's pragmatism extended to his approach to rogue states, where he was careful not to get bogged down with bad actors of secondary importance, instead focusing on threatening states like Iran and North Korea.

In terms of specific foreign policy decisions, Obama inherited two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He promised to withdraw American troops from Iraq and successfully reduced troop levels from 160,000 to 150 by 2012. In Afghanistan, Obama initially increased the US military presence to about 60,000 troops but later changed strategy, seeking to build the capacity of the Afghan government to defeat the Taliban on its own. Obama also oversaw the death of Osama bin Laden, increased the use of drone strikes, and negotiated an agreement with Iran to limit its nuclear program.

Obama's foreign policy also included a focus on international cooperation and alliances. He helped organise a NATO-led intervention in Libya, resulting in the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime. Obama also sought to improve relations with Cuba, providing diplomatic recognition and restoring diplomatic relations for the first time since the 1960s. Additionally, he negotiated a bilateral climate agreement with China and participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015.

Obama's administration underestimated the danger of ISIS's incursions into Syria and Iraq

President Barack Obama's approach to diplomacy was largely pragmatic and piecemeal, dealing with situations as they arose on a case-by-case basis. He inherited two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and an economy in crisis when he took office. Obama had been an early opponent of the Iraq War, and during his 2008 election campaign, he promised to withdraw American troops as soon as possible.

In February 2009, he announced a plan to significantly reduce troop levels in Iraq by August 2010, with the remaining troops to be withdrawn by the end of 2011. The withdrawal proceeded smoothly, and by 2012, only 150 American troops remained in Iraq. However, Obama's administration later faced criticism for underestimating the danger of ISIS's incursions into Syria and Iraq. Initially, Obama dismissed these fighters as a "JV team", but as the self-proclaimed Islamic State gained territory and released graphic videos of the beheading of American journalists, the President was spurred to action.

In a September 2014 speech, Obama announced a plan to "degrade and ultimately destroy" ISIL through a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy, including air strikes on ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq. The number of American troops in Iraq rose to more than 5,000 by 2016, and his administration conducted over 10,000 air strikes against ISIS. Despite this, some critics, particularly Republicans, argued that Obama's withdrawal from Iraq allowed ISIS to grow and that he underestimated the threat they posed.

However, it is important to note that there were multiple factors beyond Obama's control that contributed to the rise of ISIS, including the centuries-old rift between Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq and the civil war in Syria, which created ungoverned spaces and a safe haven for ISIS to gain strength. Obama's view of international relations was premised on a liberal international order, where rules and institutions incentivize nations to resolve their differences peacefully and cooperate to address global challenges.

Obama's diplomatic strategy was described as leading from behind

Obama's diplomatic strategy was described as "leading from behind". This approach has been criticised for resulting in an absence of leadership, with some arguing that it led to a diminished US influence and strained relationships with key allies. Obama's foreign policy was pragmatic and piecemeal, dealing with situations as they arose on a case-by-case basis.

During his second term, Obama was determined to take the United States off a "perpetual war footing". He resisted additional military commitments in the Middle East, notably deciding against launching missile strikes in Syria despite the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime. Instead, Obama accepted Russian leader Vladimir Putin's offer to persuade Syria to get rid of its chemical weapons.

Obama's administration also underestimated the danger of ISIS in Syria and Iraq, initially dismissing them as a "JV team". However, he later announced a plan to "degrade and ultimately destroy" ISIL through a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy, including air strikes and increased troop deployments.

In terms of East Asian foreign policy, Obama increased military ties with Vietnam, Australia, and the Philippines, and contributed to improved relations between South Korea and Japan. He designed the Trans-Pacific Partnership as a key economic pillar of the "Pivot to Asia". Obama also strengthened US-China relations, establishing the high-level US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue and nominating Jon Huntsman Jr. as Ambassador to China.

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Obama's administration took action against the self-proclaimed Islamic State

President Barack Obama's approach to diplomacy was pragmatic and piecemeal, dealing with situations as they arose on a case-by-case basis. Obama's administration took action against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (also known as ISIS or ISIL) in Iraq and Syria, which had rapidly gained territory, financial resources, and strategic strength. The administration initially underestimated the danger posed by ISIS, but the execution of two American journalists and the worsening conditions in Iraq spurred President Obama to act.

In a September 2014 speech, Obama announced a plan to "degrade and ultimately destroy" ISIL through a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy. This included authorising airstrikes on ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria, with over 10,000 airstrikes conducted during his administration. The number of American troops in Iraq rose, to more than 5,000 by 2016, and the US provided support to Kurdish forces, who played a crucial role in liberating areas from Islamic State control.

Obama's administration also sought to counter extremist ideology by amplifying the voices of Islamic scholars, Muslim clerics, and individuals who had left jihadist organisations. They aimed to erode the appeal of extremist groups like ISIS by presenting a more accurate picture of their violent and brutal nature. Additionally, the administration continued the "global war on terrorism" under the new phraseology of "countering violent extremism," employing drone strikes and surveillance as counterterrorism tools.

In Libya, the Obama administration joined with NATO to help Libyan rebels overthrow the dictator, Muamar el-Qaddafi. While the administration relied primarily on bombing and Special Forces strikes, the lack of ground troops limited their ability to control the post-conflict chaos. In 2016, US warplanes carried out airstrikes on ISIL targets in Libya, and the administration considered deepening military and diplomatic involvement in the country. Obama later cited the failure to prepare for an effective interim government in Libya as his "worst mistake."

Obama's whole view of how the world should operate is premised on a liberal international order

President Obama's approach to diplomacy was pragmatic and piecemeal, dealing with situations as they arose on a case-by-case basis. This is reflected in his whole view of how the world should operate, which is premised on a liberal international order. This order is based on rules and institutions that incentivize nations to resolve their differences peacefully, promote prosperity, and cooperate in tackling global challenges. Alliances are the core of this order, and Obama believed that without them, the voice of the United States in international bodies would be minimized, despite its power.

Obama's commitment to this liberal international order is evident in his foreign policy decisions. For example, in Libya, he joined with NATO allies to end the reign of dictator Muammar el-Qaddafi, emphasizing a new approach to war that relied on multinational action, surgical air strikes, and Special Forces strikes rather than massive troop deployments. Similarly, in Afghanistan, Obama increased the US military presence during his first term but withdrew all but approximately 8,400 soldiers during his second term.

Obama's approach to diplomacy also included a focus on negotiation and collaboration rather than confrontation or unilateralism. He was an early opponent of the Iraq War and promised to withdraw American troops, which he successfully did by the end of 2011. Obama also urged Egypt and Tunisia to "set a strong example" through free and fair elections, a vibrant civil society, accountable and effective democratic institutions, and responsible regional leadership.

In addition to his foreign policy initiatives, Obama's domestic policies also reflected his commitment to a liberal international order. He led the fight to protect everyone, regardless of their identity or background, by pushing for sweeping rights and protections for LGBT Americans, a fairer and safer immigration system, and tackling poverty and investing in communities. Obama also launched initiatives to strengthen partnerships with community organizations and religious leaders to respond to issues such as human trafficking and mental health.

Overall, Obama's belief in a liberal international order guided his approach to diplomacy and foreign policy, emphasizing peaceful resolution, cooperation, and the importance of alliances in addressing global challenges.

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