One of the most important features of Obama’s approach to foreign policy is the fact that he is ready to act contrary to conventional assumptions about what are the national interests of the United States of America and what is its role in the world. Obama disagrees with the notion that the USA is or should be a world policeman that controls the order and renders justice in all the parts of the globe. The American president is aware that the resources that the biggest economy in the world possesses, nevertheless, are not limitless. This is why it is vital to utilize these resources frugally and only when it is in the interests of the United States. Another characteristic of the Obama doctrine is readiness and willingness to share leadership and responsibility for the planet’s future with other powers. Obama supports the internationalist approach and opts for the strengthening of the multinational organizations, so that they are able to play a more active and decisive role in the international affairs and conflicts (Goldberg).
These features of the Obama doctrine significantly change the scope and the angle of the participation of the United States in the world affairs. Such approach demonstrates Obama’s inclination to re-evaluate the role the United States has played since the end of the Second World War and re-assess the status-quo of traditional allies and foes of the USA. In addition, Obama is eager to recalculate the significance of the threats that the US and the world face, prioritizing the global warming over terrorism.
The foreign policy of the Obama administration has been controversial because of such approach. Issues that have been important to the previous presidents, for instance, the Middle East, Obama considers to be outside of the core interests of the United States and acts in accordance with this belief. He is more inclined to employ diplomacy in order to address international issues, than risk the lives of American soldiers on the foreign soil.
Work cited:
Goldberg, Jeffrey. “The Obama Doctrine”. The Atlantic, April, 2016. Web. 10 Jun. 2016.
