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Obama's Foreign Policy: A Detailed Analysis

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This trip happened in July of 2007. These guys are moving in to take over after the Bush administration is done. And the group has connections reaching back to the days of Nixon just like Cheney and Rumsfeld. How dare Obama stand up deliver ad hominem attacks on Cheney and Rumsfeld and then turn around and allow his friends to advise him on foreign policy?

Obama on Combating Global Terrorism

Here Obama calls for refocusing efforts on Afghanistan and Pakistan. You see, that bit about Pakistan wasn’t some flub. It was a slip that his supporters have been all too willing to give him a pass on. I am specifically referring to the supporters who expect him to be different on foreign policy than Bush was and think he would never go into Pakistan. To those supporters, here are his plans for Pakistan.

Obama says America should “insist, not request, Pakistan crack down on Taliban, pursue Osama bin Laden & his lieutenants, and end relationship with all terrorist groups.” He also plans to get them to solve their border disputes with India over Kashmir and Afghanistan over the Pashtun border region. He adds, “There must be no safe haven for those who plot to kill Americans.” Well, Mr. Obama, what about having no safe haven for those that use “instruments of power” that may or may not include military? What about the fact that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter and maybe these “terrorist groups” are gearing up for your arrival?

Barack Obama gets rolling here with this huge rhetorical and boastful pronouncement:

“To defeat al-Qaeda, I will build a 21st century military and 21st century partnerships as strong as the anticommunist alliance that won the Cold War to stay on the offense everywhere from Djibouti to Kandahar.”

Are you ready for another comparison to the Bush Doctrine? Under goal three, Bush mentions that, “our best defense is a good offense,” and, “While our focus is protecting America, we know that to defeat terrorism in today's globalized world we need support from our allies and friends. Wherever possible, the United States will rely on regional organizations and state powers to meet their obligations to fight terrorism. Where governments find the fight against terrorism beyond their capacities, we will match their willpower and their resources with whatever help we and our allies can provide.”

No longer is it strikingly similar. No, I believe the words are frighteningly alike.

That said do you think Obama can go toe-to-toe with Bush? Bush’s favorite mantra is “either your with us or against us.” Mr. Obama what do you got:

“Our beliefs rest on hope; the extremists’ rest on fear. That is why we can---and will--- win this strategy.”

Good enough.

Obama on Rebuilding Partnerships

Obama feels that America needs to rebuild alliances, partnerships, and institutions necessary to confront common threats and enhance common security. I can’t imagine why this may be but I am sure Obama will explain it. Just what does he have to say?

“The United Nations requires far-reaching reform. The UN Secretariat’s remain weak. Peacekeeping operations are overextended. The new UN Human Rights Council has passed eight resolutions condemning Israel---but not a single resolution condemning the genocide in Darfur or human rights in Zimbabwe.”

You are right that the UN requires far-reaching reform, but you should include the fact that America has chosen to ignore them and do as America pleases like for example, we invaded Iraq even though they didn’t want us to. America also sent them John Bolton. But on to your problem with the UN HRC, is this some ploy to get more support from AIPAC? Don’t they already support you enough? Anyways, I looked into this to see if you were right and you are, but I also don’t think we fully support this group anyways so what does it matter? America has the power to go finance human rights in Zimbabwe and Sudan. Why don’t we do it? I think you and I both know the answer is a sad and disappointing one.

Interestingly, Obama chooses to include a response to global climate change in his rebuilding of partnerships:

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Kevin Gosztola is managing editor of Shadowproof Press. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, "Unauthorized Disclosure." He was an editor for OpEdNews.com
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