By Fareed Zakaria
One of the least controversial judgments about Barack Obama’s first term is that he has been a good foreign policy President. Certainly that’s what the American public believes. It has given him high marks on overseas affairs for much of his presidency, especially after the successful operation to kill Osama bin Laden. In the final presidential debate, Mitt Romney, who had relentlessly attacked Obama in their two previous matchups, decided that the wisest course was to agree with the President on virtually every foreign policy issue.
But what has been the character of Obama’s foreign policy? Most Presidents gain fame and respect in this realm because of some large-scale project. Franklin Roosevelt led the U.S. to victory in World War II, Harry Truman organized the Marshall Plan and NATO treaty, and Richard Nixon opened the door to Communist China. While Obama has accomplishments to his credit, the signature trait that has helped him steer the country well—and receive credit for it—is what he has not done.
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Is Obama really like Ike in his foreign policy? Hardly! When did Barack Obama ever invite either Raul Castro or Mahmoud Ahmedinejad for that matter to visit Washington and the U.S.? Never!!!!!!
Good posting, Amit. Thank you for your imput. I completely agree with that.
someone should just nuke ireland one huge nuke on dublin and cork blow the entire place into fire ashes. or maybe someone should kill a entire kindergarten in ireland that would be very nice.
Clearly you know absolutely zero about Ireland, based on the cities you have referred to. Though based on the suggestions made in the rest of your post, I shouldn't expect anything intelligent to come from you.
your mother is a irish whoore.
Thank you, zaeed. Although I'm an Irish American, I do not like the way that the Irish are cozying up the the English these days and that makes me mad. Both England and Ireland need to bolt the cursed NATO alliance and work for world peace and prosperity!
your sister is a irish whoore.
Look man, we just need real progress somewhere, and soon. The US passed a major disintegration threshold with the Newtown shootings last week. I am disheartened.
President Eisenhower ruined Iran. He began the a tyrant dictator puppet of the US is better than a democratically elected government foreign policy.
Indeed Obama does share a few of Ike's character traits. Eisenhower did well in foreign affairs and had advised his successors John F Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson on some issues as well. Dwight Eisenhower had once said: "America's leadership and prestige depend, not merely upon our unmatched material progress, riches and military strength, but on how we use our power in the interests of world peace and human betterment."