On the 20th of January 2009 Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States of America. This seminar paper deals about the perspectives and opportunities the new president and his government have in security and counterterrorism policy. In the past years these two fields of policy have had a dominant role in the whole US policy. One can expect despite the difficult situation of US economy this status will remain.
In consequence the paper’s aim is to find out how the Obama government may be able to run a more successful security and counterterrorism policy than the Bush government. For this case an evaluation of the former administrations policy is necessary here. The evaluation will point out the failures of the Bush government and offer the tasks for the future policy guidelines. It will be Barack Obama´s challenge to correct the mistakes of his precursor. In addition to this he has to face the global threats with his own security and counterterrorism policy. Of course Obama knows about his future work in these cases. In his campaign program he offered different statements and solutions for security and counterterrorism policy tasks. An introduction and analysis of the program will provide the informative basis for naming the perspectives and opportunities. The analysis will be completed by an estimate for the policy options and own suggestions on facing the two policy areas.
Of course the national and the global economy will have a high priority for Barack Obama. But not only by the cases Afghanistan and Iraq security and counterterrorism policy will be a high-class topic for the new administration. The international community has high expectations on Barack Obama´s policy. George W. Bush has left his successor a mostly negative reputation in the world. The double challenge on Barack Obama will be to rebuild the global reputation of USA by concurrently making security policy and fighting terrorism. The question is if Obama will be able to handle the balancing act of rebuilding the reputation and fighting terrorism.
Obama has to find a coherent policy, which brings all the mentioned topics together. In chapter 3 the paper will name and evaluate ways to realize the balancing act into concrete policy. The next years will be asking for many important decisions. Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Al-Qaeda, Israel/Palestine and a lot more crisis issues call for answers by US security and counterterrorism policy.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Evaluation of the Bush administration
2. The program of the Obama administration
2.1. Barack Obama
2.2. Cabinet members
3. The policy shifts: chances and ways
3.1. Security policy
3.2. Counterterrorism policy
3.3. Further perspectives, opportunities, suggestions
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper examines the security and counterterrorism policy challenges facing the Obama administration upon taking office in 2009. The primary research question investigates how the new government can move toward a more successful, coherent strategy by addressing the failures of the preceding Bush administration while managing high international expectations and domestic constraints.
- Evaluation of the security and counterterrorism legacy of the Bush administration.
- Analysis of Barack Obama’s campaign platform and policy goals.
- Examination of the role of key cabinet members in shaping future policy.
- Development of strategies to rebuild US global reputation and moral authority.
- Shift towards multilateralism and increased use of civilian/diplomatic instruments.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Evaluation of the Bush administration
One of the best examples for the negative effects of George W. Bush’s policy was the plan of establishing a “Global Strike” system. This system should give the USA the possibility of pre-emptive air force or missile strikes (Cf.: Kristensen 2006: 3f.). The plan ignored the already existing global ability for the US forces to hit their enemies (Cf.: Shull 2005: 19ff.). Additionally these concepts are a proof for the introductions´ thesis George W. Bush’s security and counterterrorism policy was a short termed ideology driven one.
The global strike plan would not be able to substantially raise US military capacities. Its effects on the international reputation of the USA were of course measurably negative. Even threats would only be short term eliminated by an air or missile strike. A destroyed terror camp or a bombed weapons transport could be rather easily replaced. The enemy itself would still remain.
Also talking about the war on terrorism as a “battle of ideas” the Bush administration’s National Security Strategy 2006 (NSS) offered no concrete solutions (The White House 2006a: 9). By the NSS 2006 the war on terror should be won by promoting democracy (Cf.: The White House 2006a: 11). But concrete actions and plans how democracy should be established are missing. For these reason the instruments of democracy promotion by the Bush administration seem to keep the same as used in Iraq in 2003. Also there was no further US invasion after 2006 Bush’s policy from 2006 to 2008 generally proofs that. Even the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism 2006 (NSCT) has no concrete actions to offer how terrorism should be fought long termed by democracy promotion. But for the use of military force against global terrorism the NSCT 2006 provides an acceptable basis.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the inauguration of Barack Obama and establishes the research goal of evaluating how the new government can improve upon the security and counterterrorism policies of its predecessor.
1. Evaluation of the Bush administration: Critically analyzes the limitations and failures of the Bush administration's "Global Strike" system and the lack of concrete, long-term strategies for promoting democracy and combating global terrorism.
2. The program of the Obama administration: Reviews Obama's campaign platform, emphasizing his vision for multilateralism, the role of his cabinet, and the necessity of rebuilding US credibility.
2.1. Barack Obama: Details Obama's specific approach to leadership, multilateralism, and the need to align military efforts with increased civilian and developmental engagement.
2.2. Cabinet members: Assesses the influence of key figures like Joseph Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Robert Gates, highlighting how their policy agendas align with the administration's goals.
3. The policy shifts: chances and ways: Proposes strategic adjustments for the new administration to achieve long-term success, focusing on a more balanced approach between military and civilian power.
3.1. Security policy: Discusses the need for a new national security strategy and the importance of diplomacy, non-proliferation, and restoring trust in the Middle East.
3.2. Counterterrorism policy: Argues that the fight against Al-Qaeda requires a transition from purely military responses to a network-based offensive, including enhanced public relations in the Muslim world.
3.3. Further perspectives, opportunities, suggestions: Explores the handling of failing states and suggests institutional changes, such as the creation of a department of development, to bolster US reputation.
Conclusion: Summarizes that while the opportunities for a successful policy shift exist, Obama's success depends on his ability to maintain a long-term focus despite potential crises.
Keywords
Barack Obama, George W. Bush, US Security Policy, Counterterrorism, Multilateralism, Global Reputation, Foreign Policy, Middle East, Afghanistan, Iraq, Al-Qaeda, Civilian Instruments, Diplomacy, National Security Strategy, Credibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper evaluates the security and counterterrorism policies of the incoming Obama administration in 2009, specifically comparing them to the previous administration's strategies and identifying opportunities for a more effective, long-term policy.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The main themes include the critical evaluation of the Bush era, the transition to Obama's multilateralist approach, the role of cabinet members, security and counterterrorism reforms, and strategies for rebuilding global reputation.
What is the central research goal?
The goal is to determine how the Obama government can implement a more successful and sustainable security policy that balances military strength with diplomacy and civilian aid.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes a descriptive and evaluative analysis of governmental policy documents, campaign programs, and established international relations theories to assess future policy success.
What does the main body of the work address?
It covers the evaluation of past mistakes, an analysis of Obama’s proposed programs, the specific policy shifts required in security and counterterrorism, and concrete suggestions for institutional and strategic improvements.
Which keywords best describe the content?
Key terms include Obama's security policy, counterterrorism, multilateralism, US global reputation, foreign policy, and diplomatic engagement.
How does the author characterize the role of cabinet members like Robert Gates?
The author views the retention of Robert Gates as a strategic surprise that provides a programmatic basis for reform, as Gates advocates for "unconventional thinking" and a shift toward civilian capabilities.
What specific role does "moral authority" play in the author's argument?
The author argues that restoring US moral authority—by closing "black sites" and acting strictly within the law—is essential to winning the global "battle of ideas" against terrorist propaganda.
- Quote paper
- Felix Seidler (Author), 2009, Perspectives and opportunities of the Obama government’s security and counterterrorism policy – Chances and ways to more success, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/125688
