SECTION 7: THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

how did Obama's administration differ from Bush Jr.'s?

Obama explicitly moved AWAY from Bush's unilateralism toward multilateralism/cooperation — a "change" agenda from Bush's "go-it-alone" style.

What did Obama's promotion of liberal internationalism entail?

(1.) Promoting democracy/individual freedoms as the path to a stable, peaceful world.
(2.) Promoting international COOPERATION and interdependence.
(3.) Emphasizing international LAW and INSTITUTIONS (UN, regional bodies).
(4.) A "cooperative" approach — building a stable, liberal global order through partnership, not top-down imposition.

Unilateralism vs. multilateralism

Obama clearly favored MULTILATERALISM — working through partnerships, coalitions, and international institutions rather than acting alone (a direct contrast to Bush Jr.'s unilateral Iraq invasion).

What was Obama's Core belief of multipartner world?

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the U.S. would lead by "inducing greater cooperation… tilting the balance away from a multi-POLAR world and toward a multi-PARTNER world." Priorities: nuclear weapons, extremism, global prosperity, democracy promotion, and global cooperation.

What was Obama's STRATEGY OF ENGAGEMENT?

From the 2010 National Security Strategy, the strategy of engagement had 3 principles:

1. Rebuild the American economy as the base for global leadership.

2. Live American values at home to credibly promote them abroad.

3. Reshape the international system so the global community can tackle 21st-century challenges together.

What were the four goals of Obama's STRATEGY OF ENGAGEMENT?

(1) maintain security for the U.S./allies,

(2) strengthen the U.S. economy via an open international system,

(3) promote universal values abroad,

(4) build an international order that fosters collective action.

What did Obama do to improve the US image abroad?

Gave high-profile speeches around the world; engaged in bilateral and multilateral summits (G-8, G-20); appointed special envoys (Darfur, Afghanistan, North Korea); leaned on regional/international organizations. His favorability ratings rose sharply but he remained unpopular in many Muslim majority countries.

How did his administration promote domestic values abroad with Guantanamo Bay?

He ordered the camp closed and banned harsh interrogation techniques (partial success — waterboarding ended, but Congress blocked funding to move detainees, so the prison stayed open his whole term; ~60% of the public actually supported keeping it open).

How did his administration promote domestic values abroad with ARAB SPRING?

He faced tough choices between supporting allied autocrats vs. supporting protesters demanding democracy.

In Egypt: Called for Mubarak to step down; later the Muslim Brotherhood's Morsi was elected, then overthrown by General Sisi in 2013 — U.S. initially condemned it as a "coup" but eventually normalized relations.
In Libya: Froze Gaddafi's assets, backed a UN no-fly zone (Resolution 1973); Gaddafi was toppled and killed, but Libya fell into chaos (2012 Benghazi attack killed the U.S. ambassador).

In Syria: Sought UN action but was blocked by Russian/Chinese vetoes; famously drew a "red line" on chemical weapons but did NOT follow through militarily when Assad crossed it — seen as a major inconsistency.

What was Obama's initiative with Russia?

He created a Bilateral Presidential Commission, signed the New START Treaty (cut deployed nuclear weapons ~50%, to 800 total/700 deployed). Relations soured after Putin returned to power (2012), the Magnitsky Act (2012, sanctioning Russian officials over lawyer Sergei Magnitsky's death), and especially after Russia seized Crimea (2014).

What was Obama's initiative with China?

Goal of a "positive, cooperative, comprehensive relationship" and supporting China's "peaceful rise"; created the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. Frictions remained over trade deficits and human rights (Tibet, Xinjiang) and Taiwan.

What was the Pivot to Asia?

A shift of U.S. attention/resources AWAY from the Middle East and TOWARD Asia-Pacific, given China's rise — included stronger military presence and pursuing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.

NONPROLIFERATION

changed U.S. nuclear doctrine (won't use nukes against non-nuclear NPT-compliant states); hosted Nuclear Security Summits (2010, etc.) to keep nuclear material from terrorists; 2010 Non-Proliferation Review Conference reaffirmed the treaty.

FINANCIAL REFORM

used G-20 summits to standardize banking regulations and regulate global investment instruments after the 2008 financial crisis.

CLIMATE CHANGE

the "Clean Power Plan" at home; attended the 2009 COP Copenhagen summit (got China, India, Brazil, South Africa to agree to help fund developing-country climate adaptation); pushed for an enforceable follow-up to the Kyoto Protocol (which became the 2015 Paris Agreement).

CRITICISMS OF OBAMA'S APPROACH

Critics said there was LITTLE ACTUAL CHANGE from Bush Jr.: he escalated drone strikes, surged troops into Afghanistan, and continued fighting terrorism aggressively. Withdrawing from Iraq (2011) helped create a vacuum that ISIS exploited. Some argued his approach wasn't a consistent philosophy at all. Failure to support the 2009 "Persian Spring" protests in Iran.