Foreign Diplomacy: Who Was The Most Successful President?

Many US presidents are considered successful in foreign diplomacy, but there is no clear consensus on who was the most successful. Some presidents, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, are often cited for their successful foreign policy agendas due to their leadership during World War II, the Cold War, and the Gulf War, respectively. Other presidents, like Barack Obama, have had mixed reviews, with some criticizing his foreign policy but acknowledging his accomplishments in anti-terrorism policies and ordering the killing of Osama bin Laden. Ultimately, the success of a president's foreign diplomacy is subjective and depends on various factors and metrics, such as lives lost or saved, national interests served, and the establishment of global alliances.

Explore related products

The United States of Trump: How the President Really Sees America

$4.83 $28

Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis

$9.41 $15.95

The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy

$11.29 $20

Rise to Globalism: American Foreign Policy Since 1938

$13.28 $21

U.S. Foreign Policy: The Paradox of World Power

$182.8

Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty

$14.45 $22

Franklin D. Roosevelt's wartime diplomacy

Franklin D. Roosevelt is often regarded as one of the most successful presidents in terms of foreign diplomacy. His leadership during World War II and his establishment of alliances, such as the United Nations, greatly influenced global affairs. Roosevelt's diplomatic approach and negotiations helped maintain strong relationships with key world leaders.

From the start of American involvement in World War II, Roosevelt took the lead in establishing a grand alliance among all countries fighting the Axis powers. He met with Churchill in a number of wartime conferences at which differences were settled amicably. One early difference centred on the question of an invasion of France. Churchill wanted to postpone such an invasion until the Nazi forces had been weakened, and his view prevailed until the great Normandy Invasion was finally launched on “D-Day”, June 6, 1944. Meanwhile, American and British forces invaded North Africa in November 1942, Sicily in July 1943, and Italy in September 1943.

Roosevelt's strategy involved forging strong alliances with other nations, most notably the Allied Powers, which included the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China. His establishment of the United Nations in 1945 aimed to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts, illustrating his commitment to global stability through diplomacy.

Roosevelt also believed that the maintenance of peace after the war depended on friendly relations with the Soviet Union, and he hoped to win the confidence of Joseph Stalin. He, Stalin, and Churchill seemed to get along well when they met at Tehran in November 1943. By the time the “Big Three” met again at the Yalta Conference in Crimea in February 1945, the war in Europe was almost over.

Ronald Reagan's Cold War negotiations

Ronald Reagan's presidency from 1981 to 1989 focused heavily on the Cold War. Reagan's anti-communist stance and aggressive rhetoric towards the Soviet Union led to worsening relations with the country during the first years of his presidency. Reagan's militant anticommunism and harsh anti-Soviet rhetoric were significant factors in this deterioration.

Reagan's administration pursued a policy of rollback regarding communist regimes. The Reagan Doctrine offered financial, logistical, training, and military equipment support to anti-communist opposition in Afghanistan, Angola, and Nicaragua. Reagan also expanded support to anti-communist movements in Central and Eastern Europe.

Despite the initial tension, Reagan's negotiations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev contributed significantly to the eventual end of the Cold War. Reagan softened his rhetoric and adopted a more encouraging tone towards the changes occurring in the Soviet Union. Reagan and Gorbachev first met in November 1985 in Geneva, where they discussed reducing nuclear weapons. Reagan's focus on military buildup, coupled with his willingness to negotiate, played a crucial role in ending the Cold War. Reagan's massive military spending program, the largest in American peacetime history, imposed a strain on the Soviet economy, leading to positive developments, such as a more accommodating Soviet position in arms negotiations and the weakening of hard-liners in Soviet leadership.

A notable summit between Reagan and Gorbachev took place in Reykjavík, Iceland, in October 1986. Although the summit ended without an agreement due to differences over the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), it was followed by a treaty in December 1987 that eliminated intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) on European soil. This treaty was a significant breakthrough, as it was the first pact of the Cold War that actually reduced the number of nuclear weapons. Reagan's stand at Reykjavík made it clear to Gorbachev that he would not compromise on SDI, and the discussions encouraged American and Soviet negotiators to work towards reducing nuclear weapons.

George H.W. Bush's coalition-building

Bush's coalition-building skills were notably demonstrated during the Gulf War in 1991, when he led a large international coalition in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Through personal diplomacy, he built a strong alliance of countries, including Arab nations, that forced Iraq's withdrawal and crippled Iraq as a disruptive force in the Middle East. Bush's approach to the Gulf War exemplified his belief in the importance of nurturing alliances and restraint in addressing global conflicts.

In addition to the Gulf War, Bush's administration also played a role in the Yugoslav Wars. Bush initially preferred to let the European Community handle the situation, but eventually, his administration became more involved, with Bush securing the passage of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 757 and authorizing humanitarian aid to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Another significant aspect of Bush's foreign policy was his approach to relations with China. Despite his disapproval of the Chinese government's crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, Bush prioritised improved relations with China and lifted economic sanctions against the country.

Overall, George H.W. Bush's foreign policy was characterised by his emphasis on diplomacy, pragmatism, and coalition-building. His successful coalition-building during the Gulf War and his nuanced handling of relations with China are testament to his skills in this area.

Explore related products

A World Safe for Commerce: American Foreign Policy from the Revolution to the Rise of China (Princeton Studies in International History and Politics)

$30.04 $38

Do Morals Matter?: Presidents and Foreign Policy from FDR to Trump

$14.56 $28.99

America in the World: A History of U.S. Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

$16.96 $35

First Among Equals: U.S. Foreign Policy in a Multipolar World

$35

Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare

$17.1 $40

The Four Ages of American Foreign Policy: Weak Power, Great Power, Superpower, Hyperpower

$11.99 $28.99

Obama's anti-terrorism policies

While it is challenging to determine which US president was the most successful in foreign diplomacy, Barack Obama's anti-terrorism policies are noteworthy. Obama inherited an ongoing war on terror and was determined to end it. He aimed for more nimble, transparent, and ethical counterterrorism policies than the previous Bush administration. Obama wanted to reduce the use of force, which had characterised the response prior to his presidency, such as the invasion of Iraq in 2003, which compromised the campaign against al-Qaeda.

Obama's approach to counterterrorism involved targeted killings, providing security assistance to military and intelligence allies, and intensive electronic surveillance. He also initiated efforts to address the root causes of terrorism, such as civic engagement and inclusive governance. Despite these attempts, some critics argue that Obama's policies led to an increase in global terrorism, particularly with the emergence of ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Obama faced a dilemma common to US presidents: balancing military responses to terrorism with the risk of exacerbating the problem. He advocated for preventive strategies, but these approaches were slow to yield results and faced opposition in Congress and among the American public. Obama's anti-terrorism policies were divisive, with some Americans criticising them as too restrictive of civil liberties, while others believed they didn't go far enough to protect the country.

Obama's closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison was particularly controversial, with wide partisan differences in opinion. Overall, Americans gave Obama higher approval ratings for his overall job performance than for his handling of specific issues like foreign policy and terrorism. Despite facing challenges, Obama's efforts to end the war on terror represent a significant aspect of his presidency and foreign policy legacy.

George Washington's neutrality

While there is no clear ranking of presidents with the most successful foreign policy agendas, George Washington's neutrality proclamation is an important aspect of his foreign diplomacy.

On April 22, 1793, President George Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality, declaring the United States' neutrality in the conflict between revolutionary France and Great Britain. The proclamation stated that the US should:

> "with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerent Powers."

The United States' decision to remain neutral was influenced by several factors. Firstly, the French Revolution had turned more radical, with the beheading of King Louis XVI in January 1793, sparking concerns among Federalists and sympathy for Great Britain. Secondly, there was a desire by the Republicans to go to war with Great Britain, which may have been influenced by the French attack on American merchant ships in the Caribbean. Additionally, the US wanted to avoid being pulled into a foreign war, as any allegiance to a particular nation could adversely affect the economy.

The Proclamation of Neutrality was not without controversy. Thomas Jefferson, then the Secretary of State, disagreed with the proclamation and eventually resigned from his position. He argued that the proclamation established a precedent of granting too much power to the president and that the US could have negotiated for its neutrality. Madison, writing under the name "Helvidius", also criticised the proclamation, accusing its supporters of being secret monarchists.

Despite the opposition, Washington reaffirmed his commitment to neutrality in his 1796 Farewell Address, urging Americans to keep neutrality as a cornerstone of their diplomacy:

> "Our true policy is to steer clear of permanent Alliances with any portion of the foreign world."

The US maintained this policy of neutrality until the mid-20th century, and the proclamation's impact on executive authority in foreign policy was significant, setting a precedent for future presidents.

Frequently asked questions