Across the pond we’re still debating…‘From a British Perspective Have Obama’s First 100 Days Been a Success?’
By Debate Wise | Related entries in NewsAfter the first 100 days of Obama’s presidency there was much ink spilt in the USA on domestic policy changes during this so called ‘honeymoon period’. In Britain, however, we are more concerned with Obama’s foreign policy, and have the advantage of distance (both geographical and theoretical) from which to give an assessment on that.
Obama has made changes to counter-terrorism policy, stating his intention to Guantanamo bay and renaming the ‘Global War on Terror’ with a softer phrase. But are these merely empty gestures and word games designed to placate those becoming increasingly uneasy at the U.S’s strong-arm tactics? Obama’s policy on Afghanistan, too, was a disappointment to many of us across the pond as he insisted an exit strategy was needed but failed to articulate one definitively.
However, Britain is probably in line with much of the rest of the world in viewing nuclear disarmament as a wholly positive policy step, and the fact Obama supported Brown’s ideas for the economy at the G20 definitely strengthened the relationship between the new premiers. This side of the Atlantic there has also been concern about Bush’s stance in the environment and it seems Obama is doing his best to allay these fears through tougher fuel standards and CO2 regulations.
Finally, in his first 100 days Obama seems to have succeeded in changing the overall tone of U.S diplomacy from one of unilateral ‘world policing’ to one of dialogue and co-operation. He has smoothed relations with Russia and has indicated he will do more to engage with the Arab world. This is perhaps the biggest positive step from a British perspective, as our special relationship with the U.S means that in the eyes of the world, U.S diplomacy is also our diplomacy. It remains to be seen whether this change in tone will be consolidated by a decisive change in actions, but for now we can hope this will be the case. It seems for Britain there have been many positives at the start of the Obama presidency yet a few things left undone. So far, so good, but Britain has bated breath…
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May 8th, 2009 at 7:50 am
When I was in school in England, Orwell was still taught and observed. I see from the second clause of this sentence that New Labour’s “branding” approach has displaced it, and that is quite unfortunate.
At any rate, as to Guantanamo, it should be noted that he has done no such thing. He signed an executive order affirming his intent to close it (”[t]he detention facilities at Guantánamo for individuals covered by this order shall be closed as soon as practicable, and no later than 1 year from the date of this order”), but he has not, in fact, closed it. Nor has his administration taken the necessary steps to do so; indeed, he was recently denied funding to relocate the detainees by Congress. An executive order is not a magic wand, and while one can wave a piece of paper that says “this is Guantanamo closing in our time,” it is not, in fact, the closure of the facility.
May 8th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Simon-
Thrilled at this opportunity. I agree with everything you said here.
May 8th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Noted, and edited, sorry! Regarding Orwell i’m quite a fan, and we have a debate about whether changing the name will make a difference here if you’re interested :)
May 20th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Across the pond we’re still debating…‘From a British Perspective Have Obama’s First 100 Days Been a Success?’…
After the first 100 days of Obama’s presidency there was much ink spilt in the USA on domestic policy changes during this so called ‘honeymoon period’. In Britain, however, we are more concerned with Obama’s foreign policy, and have the advanta…
May 20th, 2009 at 9:36 am
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