Obama nation?: US foreign policy one year on: Obama’s Middle East policy: time to decide (original) (raw)
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International Journal of History and Cultural Studies , 2019
Barack Obama's foreign policy towards Middle East was based on pragmatic approach. The aim of his foreign policy was to bring peace and stability in the region and to keep America's geostrategic influence in the regions through force of diplomacy and engagement. Obama's regime engaged with Iran over its nuclear and shunned confrontationist attitude with Iran. He believed that engagement with Iran was pivotal for America's geopolitical interest in the Middle East. He was well aware about social and political realities of Middle East and that's why he adopted that approach which was more suitable for the stability and development of the region. He wanted a real change in the Middle East in the sphere of politics, economics and social development. He broke with traditional foreign policy approach of the US establishment that had been prevailed since decades. He wanted to engage Arabs themselves in the shaping of peaceful and stable Middle East, and conveyed his message to them that they must not overwhelmingly be dependent on United States for mending their problems. Obama realized America's pivot to Asia demands a new diplomatic attitude towards Middle East.
This piece is dedicated to the late Samuel R. (Sandy) Berger who read and commented on successive drafts earlier this year. A cherished friend and mentor, the world is a better and safer place for all the work he gave to it. Please consider giving today to the Samuel R. Berger Humanitarian Fund to support the work of the World Food Program. While Barack Obama still has a year left in his presidency, and significant changes and diplomatic initiatives could yet unfold, the next President will come into o ce facing a profound Middle East crisis. As such, Obama’s successor should deploy a comprehensive regional strategy encompassing three mutually reinforcing dimensions: 1) strategic political and diplomatic initiatives focused on fostering regional partnerships; 2) limited and targeted military engagement in support of those initiatives; and 3) development assistance aimed at strengthening state institutions and building new leadership...
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