•
America’s Role in the World Today
• Essential Questions:
- What role should the United States play in the world today?
- What should the goals of U.S. foreign policy be?
- Should American foreign policy be guided by the nation’s ideals or its national interests?
- What actions should the U.S. take in pursuit of its foreign policy goals?
- When should the U.S. use its military power to intervene overseas?
- How can America’s role in the world be expected to change in coming years?
Unit 2 Due Dates:
• Universally recognized symbols of the United States?
• The Only Global Superpower …
• The global system today is
unipolar .
• The U.S. is the world’s only
superpower today.
Ø Economically
Ø Militarily
Ø Culturally
• American Hegemony
• The U.S. is often described
as a global hegemon.
• Common way of describing
U.S. dominance.
• The “Pax Romana” 27 B.C. – 180 A.D.
• “Pax Americana”
• Latin phrase meaning
“American peace” or
“peace imposed by
America”.
• Suggests U.S. should
use its power to impose
order and stability on
the world – just as the
Romans did.
• A Cultural Superpower…
• COUNTRIES WITH McDONALD’S FRANCHISES
•
Quotes from article:
“The Impulse to Do Good Has Often Guided U.S. Foreign Policy”
• America’s “manifest duty” is to become an
“international police power” and to “repel
any wrong... in the interests of humanity at large. ”
• America’s highest calling was to “patrol the globe and better the condition of things in other nations. ”-Theodore Roosevelt
• Do you agree or disagree with these statements?
• “A distinctly American
internationalism will help
make the world not just
safer, but better.”
• “We are called on to defend
the hopes of all mankind.”
-George W. Bush
Making the case for war against Iraq.
•
What Bush was saying is nothing new...
• Bush(is)“tapping some of the
traits in the national character
that have animated Americans
since the 1820s.”
• (Bush is) “using the kind of stuff that has always
sounded good in the ears of most Americans.”
• “It’s an old American impulse that has rallied the people before.”
•
American “Exceptionalism”
The belief, long held by many
Americans……that America is
special and different from
other nations…
…because of our civil and religious liberty and our
democratic form of government, …
… and that America’s values should serve as an example for the rest of the world to follow.
•
“A ‘messianic impulse’ has been behind many past U.S. foreign policy goals”.
• Messianic means “marked by idealism and an
aggressive crusading spirit... a sense of historic
mission.”
• It’s the idealistic idea that
America’s mission is to
“save the world” by
spreading its values and
ideals.
• Answers:
- Isolationists
- Far Left, Anti-War Radicals, Ultra Liberal Views
- Liberal Internationalists, liberal idealists, more liberal views
- Realists, more moderate views, some republicans
- Neocons, conservative idealists
• Bush’s Second Inaugural Address
• Declared that the spread
of “freedom and liberty”
was “the calling of our
time.”
• Said it was the policy of the
U.S. to support the growth of
democratic movements… in every nation and culture.
• Said the ultimate goal of the
U.S. was to “end tyranny in our world.”
• Pre-Sept. 11 “Bush Revolution” Rested on Two Fundamental Beliefs
- U.S. security is best ensured by shedding constraints imposed by friends, allies, and international institutions.
- An America unbound should use its strength to change the status quo of the world.
“Sept. 11 provided the rationale and opportunity to carry the revolution out.
•
These fundamental beliefs had important consequences for the practice of
American foreign policy.
•
The Evolution of Bush’s Foreign Policy
• Key Players in First Bush Administration
• Realism / Unilateralism
Foreign Policy Before 9/11
• Actions reflected policy
based on realism.
• More confrontational approach towards Russia, China, and North Korea.
• Unilateral decisions resulted in problems with allies.
• Rejection of numerous
global treaties.
•
Global Treaties Rejected by
Bush Administration in 2001
• Kyoto Protocol on
Climate Control
• International Criminal
Court Treaty
• Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty
• Biological Weapons
Convention Protocol
• Land Mine Treaty
• “With Us or Against Us”
Sept. 11, 2001 until May 2002
• Start of “war on terrorism”
against al Qaeda.
• War in Afghanistan quickly
followed.
• State of the Union Address in
2002 – “Axis of Evil” speech.
• The “Axis of Evil” 2002
• Preemption
June 2002 – November 2003
• First articulation of the “Bush
Doctrine” (Sept. 2002)
• New defense strategy of striking
at “emerging threats” before we
are attacked. (Preventive war).
• War with Iraq was the first (and
0nly) application of this doctrine.
• Democracy in the Middle East
November 2003 – January 2005
• New rationale for war in
Iraq.
• New policy of promoting
democracy and freedom
throughout the Arab
world.
• Neoconservative goal.
• “Freedom Agenda”
January 20, 2005 – November 2006
• Introduced in Second Inaugural
Address.
• Expanded goal of supporting
democratic movements
everywhere.
• New goal of “ending tyranny.”
• Return to Realism
November 2006 – January 2009
• More pragmatic foreign policy.
• Reflects diminished influence of
neoconservatives and increased
influence of realists.
• More multilateral policy and better
relations with allies.
• Retreat from freedom agenda.
• The War in Iraq
First Term
• Invasion undertaken with too few troops and insufficient international support.
• Occupation was poorly planned and “massive blunders” resulted in:
Ø Sunni insurgency
Ø Jihadist terrorists
Ø Alienated Shiites
Ø Sectarian violence.
Second Term
• New tactics and strategy adopted in 2005.
• Reached out to Sunni insurgents and won many over to our side against al Qaeda.
• Troop “surge” in 2006
-- 30,000 additional troops sent to Iraq.
• Afghanistan
First Term
• Diverted attention, energy, troops, and resources from Afghanistan to Iraq in 2003.
Second Term
• Significantly increased spending on reconstruction and on equipping the Afghan army.
• North Korea
First Term
• Abandoned Clinton’s efforts to negotiate with Kim Jong Il.
• Described North Korea as part of “Axis of Evil.”
Second Term
• Reversed policy and pursued multilateral negotiations.
• Patiently worked out deal regarding North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
• Offered North Korea economic aid and other incentives.
• Iran
First Term
• Also branded Iran as part of “Axis of Evil”.
• Refused to meet with Iranians.
Second Term
• Reversed policy and joined Europeans at negotiating table with Iranians.
• Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
First Term
• Adopted a hands-off approach – vowed not to become involved in Clinton-style efforts at peacemaking.
• Resentments built and conditions worsened.
Second Term
• During last year in office plunged into peace process
• Convened international conference in Annapolis.
• Sent Condoleeza Rice to region multiple times.
• China and India
First Term
• Called China a “strategic competitor” rather than a “strategic partner” of the U.S.
• Initially followed a confrontational approach towards China.
• Largely ignored India.
Second Term
• Recognized centrality of U.S.-China relationship.
• Sided with China and opposed independence for Taiwan.
• New strategic relationship with India after legitimizing India’s nuclear weapons program.
• “Soft Power”
• “Soft power” is the power that
comes from attraction.
• A country’s soft power causes
others to follow it and to emulate
it out of admiration and
respect.
•
Sources of any country’s soft power:
1. Its culture (in places where it
is attractive to others)
2. Its political values and ideals
(when it lives up to them at home
and abroad)
3. Its foreign policies (when they
are seen as legitimate and having
moral authority).
• “Soft power” is often used to refer to a country’s ability influence others through the use of any non-military means such as diplomacy or foreign aid.
• What Enhances America’s Soft Power?
• What Diminishes America’s Soft Power?
• What is the point of this comparison?
• America’s Image in the World
• Causes of Anti-Americanism:
• Fear, envy and resentment of
American power.
• Perception that the U.S. acts
unilaterally and doesn’t care
about the interests of other
countries.
• Many see U.S. as an “arrogant
bully” that tries to impose its
will on other nations.
• Many suspicious of U.S.
motives and think we want
to control the world.
• Opposition to America’s
use of military force,
especially preemptive force.
• Widespread opposition to
the war on terrorism and the war in Iraq.
• Many believe the U.S.
is doing too little to
help solve the world’s
problems.
• World Reaction to Obama’s Election
• Pew Research
Center Poll
(July 2009)
• Reading Assignment:
Obama’s Critical Foreign Policy Challenges:
“And in the Rest of the World”
• Challenge # 1
Iraq: Winding Down the War
• Over 4,200 U.S. troops have
died since 2003.
• One of the longest and most
divisive wars in U.S. history.
• Violence and U.S. casualties
have declined dramatically
since 2007.
• Obama and Iraq
• Opposed war in Iraq from the
start.
• Opposed Bush’s 2007 “surge”
but now admits it worked.
• Vows to carry out Bush’s plan
to withdraw all U.S. combat
forces by August 2010 and all
other forces by the end of 2011.
• Challenge # 2
Iran: A Nuclear Threat?
• U.S. and Iran have been bitter
enemies for 30 years.
• Radical Islamic government.
• U.S. fears Iran is developing a
nuclear weapon and may be
close to achieving that goal.
• Obama and Iran
• Has held out the possibility
of direct talks with Iran,
which Bush administration
refused to do.
• Has also expressed support
for much tougher sanctions
if Iranians refuses to halt their
uranium enrichment program.
• Challenge # 3
Afghanistan: Losing the War?
• U.S. and NATO allies fighting
Taliban insurgency.
• Over 1,000 U.S. troops have
died there since 2001.
• Violence and U.S. casualties
have risen in recent years.
• Obama and Afghanistan
• Argues Afghanistan is the real frontline in war on terrorism.
• Pledged during campaign to
send more U.S. troops.
• Sent 21,000 more troops last spring and just announced he is sending 30,ooo more.
• Challenge # 4
Middle East: Israel and the Palestinians
• Goal is a Palestinian
state alongside Israel.
• Unresolved issues:
Ø Israeli settlements in
West Bank
Ø Status of Jerusalem
Ø Palestinian refugees
• Peace talks stalled.
• Obama and the Middle East
• Election raised expectations
that U.S. would show greater
sympathy for Palestinian
grievances.
• Initially demanded that Israel
stop expanding its West Bank
settlements.
• When new Israeli government
refused, Obama administration
backed off on those demands.
• Challenge # 5
North Korea: Another Nuclear Threat?
• North Korea exploded its first
nuclear weapon in 2006.
• U.S. wants North Korea to end
its nuclear weapons program
and give up all existing weapons.
• Bush administration agreement with North Korea
collapsed in 2008. Tensions have increased since.
• Obama and North Korea
• U.S. supported tough new
UN sanctions after North
Korea conducted second
nuclear weapons test in
May.
• Sanctions included expanded arms embargo and Obama administration said it was prepared to carry out UN authorized ship searches.
• Challenge # 6
Pakistan: “Most Dangerous Nation”
• Border region b/w Pakistan and
Afghanistan home to Islamic
militants and terrorists –
including Osama bin Laden.
• Taliban insurgents use this
region as base from which to
attack into Afghanistan.
• Taliban insurgents also target
Pakistan’s government and
threaten Pakistan’s stability.
• Pakistan is a nuclear-armed
U.S. ally and a major recipient
of U.S. aid.
• Yet, distrust of and hostility
towards America is intense
among Pakistan’s population.
• Obama and Pakistan
• $7.5 billion aid package in 2009
in effort to strengthen civilian
government.
• Has conditioned aid to Pakistan’s
willingness to fight extremists
within its borders.
• Greatly increased drone-
launched missile strikes inside
Pakistan – more in first year
than Bush’s entire presidency!
• Challenge # 7
China: Rising Power
• China has had the fastest-
growing economy for the
past decade.
• Second-largest U.S. trading
partner.
• China a growing military
power, as well.
• Obama and China
• Has sought “partnership” with
China to address global issues.
• On recent trip to China, Obama
also spoke of “universal” human
rights.
• Challenge # 8
Mexico: Drug Wars
• Mexico in midst of violent
drug war which threatens
to spill across the border
into U.S.
• Second key issue is illegal
immigration from Mexico.
• Obama and Mexico
• Challenge # 9
Russia: New Tensions
• Obama inherited a tense
relationship with Russia.
• Issues causing tension include
U.S. plans for missile defense
in Eastern Europe and possible
expansion of NATO to include
Georgia.
• U.S. needs Russian cooperation
on sanctions on Iran and war in
Afghanistan.
• Obama and Russia
• Obama called for a “reset” in
relations with Russia.
• Scrapped Bush’s plan to install
missile defense components
in Eastern Europe.
• U.S. and Russia negotiating new
arms control agreement to cut
nuclear arsenals by one third.
• Challenge # 10
Sudan / Darfur: Stopping a Genocide
• More than 300,000 civilians