Foreign Policy Expertise

Few citizens consider themselves experts on foreign policy. But many Americans have begun to pay much closer attention as the 2008 election approaches. While the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq rage on, and other conflicts and crises continue throughout the world, foreign policy issues seem to have taken a backseat to campaign jousting and the recent economic meltdown. The first presidential debate promises to provide insight into John McCain's and Barack Obama's perspectives and approaches to 21st century foreign policy.

The new president will be called on to restore American confidence, deal with wars, and work on national security. He will need to develop clear lines of authority and respect and work with his administrative team to develop solid foreign policy. Who will best handle threats of terrorism, economic globalization, humanitarian crises, climate change, and dependence on foreign oil? Which candidate will bring a high level of integrity, experience, and judgement to the office? Which man has the right combination of confidence and humility to lead and get the business of America done? To guide your choice of candidate, refer to the lists below.

Listen to the debates and ask, "Does the candidate....?"
1. Lead with conviction, bring a sense of confidence and some humility to the office, and foster cooperation throughout the world?
2. Plau down ideology and approach the world with rationality and perspective?
3. Reach out to the world and solve problems through cooperation?
4. Work multilaterally to build on strengths and find a new approaches to foreign policy?
5. Set the tone and work to restore America's esteem and repair its tarnished image abroad?
6. Act to send signals to the world, announce immediate policy changes, such as closing Guantanamo, waterboarding and torture?
7. Craft the tone and content of speeches and remember when he speaks to Americans, the whole world is listening?
8. Take the lead on climate change- don't wait for China and India- include them?
9. Treat Russia with respect, avoid conflict by considering the whole strategic situation, explore cooperative efforts?
10. Take the initiative with Iran, make U.S. intent and positions clear, start dialogue slowly and work up to high level strategic and tactical talks toward a stable Middle East and agreement on nuclear proliferation, avoid counterproductive talk?
11. Pressure Iraq to build up its own security and set an Iraqi timetable for U.S. withdrawal, gradually draw down troops as long as Iraq remains in control?
12. Create a realtionship with the new leader in Pakistan, encourage government to take control and eliminate Taliban threats in the mountainous region along Afghanistan's border?
13. Ensure a win in Afghanistan, work to eliminate government corruption and drug trade, military power is not enough- integrate military and use more soft power, provide security, reconstruction, economic development, foreign assistance, bring the border area under control?
14. Engage fully in talks with Syria and work to bring them over to our side?
15. Inform the American people that humanitarian efforts are in the U.S. national interest, gain public support, lead wisely and work with regional and private organizations, figure out the role of the U.S., don't commit American lives, work with other countries to reach a political solution?

Ask, "Does the candidate...?
1. Constantly remind people that we live in a dangerous, terrorist-threatened world, insist that "the surge is working, dammit!" and only he is ready to be commander-in-chief?
2. Continue to use the reasoning that "we must fight the terrorist abroad so that we do not have to fight them here" as an excuse to wage unnecessary war?
3. Rattle the U.S. saber at Russia and announce, "We are all Georgians now" and claim that a new Cold War has begun as Russia is pursuing an anti-America agenda and intends to reconstitute the Russian Empire?
4. Use labels like "evil-doers," "axis of evil," and phrases like "Bring it on!" and "Mission Accomplished" and announce that the U.S. is leading a "crusade" to spread democracy?
5. Blame Iran for violence against the U.S. in Iraq; threaten to "Bomb, bomb, bomb; bomb, bomb Iran" and laugh about it, joke about killing Iraqis with cigarettes?
6. Refuse to talk with Cuba, Iran, Syria, and any other "rogue" countries, convince the American people that talk legitimizes their positions and weakens America's strength?
7. Promise to occupy another Arab country for 10 to 100 years, just like Korea and Germany?
8. Encourage big businesses to futher globalize our economy; after all, most American people hate their jobs anyway and won't miss them?
9. Disregard the United Nations as worthless and decide to form a new League of Democracies, a global coalition for peace and freedom that will act by our wishes?
10. Tell Americans that the only way to prevent another terrorist attack at home is to require all Americans to speak Engish, fly the flag, and wear a flag pin, continue to tap phones and hack into personal computers?
11. Continually remind people around world that we are the greatest country in the world and that they depend on America's leadership?
12. Reinstitute the draft and redouble military efforts to continue the War on Terrorism?

As I see it, Barack Obama is the right choice for American foreign policy for the 21st century.