US FOREIGN POLICY UNDER BARACK OBAMA

US Foreign Policy under Barack Obama

US Foreign Policy under Barack Obama

Research Question

What is the foreign policy of United States in the tenure of Barrack Obama?

Literature Review

Foreign policy has never been as important to the United States as it is now. Due to the actions of the past administrations over the last century, the U.S. has become the world's “police force” and involves itself with many international affairs. Some view this as a dangerous thing, though many see it as the correct position for our nation to be so globally present. America has been, and still is, giving assistance to other countries because of the advances in technology the U.S. possesses and the support of the citizens in the U.S. itself. Due to this, the United States' government should maintain its current level of military, economic, and medical intervention and influence in foreign countries. (Shahrani and Robert 2010 87)

For much of its history, the U.S. has practiced isolationist principles. According to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, isolationism is “a policy of national isolation by abstention from alliances and other international political and economic relations” (“Isolationism”). It is a major choice for a nation's government to decide to use isolationism. In George Washington's Farewell Address in 1796, he said,

It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world . . . I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them (Saikal and William 2009 211).

This indicates that Washington was very much in favor of isolationism. This might have been the correct decision for America at that time period because it was still recovering from the American Revolution and was very weak. Nonetheless, when countries are very strong economically or militaristically, they should not practice isolationism. Isolationism is not usually accepted by a whole nation's population due to biased or pacifism. However, the general populace might not know all the matters involved with being a neutral country. Therefore it is the responsibility of the government to make isolationist-related decisions. (Rubin 2009 96)

The shifting foreign policy of the United States was expressed in World War I. When the war began July 28, 1914, the U.S. declared neutrality and refused to engage in combat. It did, however, support the “Allies,” (Britain, France and Russia) who were battling the “Central Powers” (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy). The U.S. supplied the “Allies” with material assistance such as artillery and food, but did not officially enter the war until 1917. A series of events, mainly the sinking of two non-military ships transporting civilian passengers crossing the Atlantic Ocean, one named the Lusitania and the other named the Housatonic, by German military U-boats, caused the United States Congress to declare war on Germany April 6, 1917 (Roy 2005 ...