Obama's Foreign Policy Agenda

{
  "authors": [],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "",
  "programs": [],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Security",
    "Military",
    "Foreign Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

Obama's Foreign Policy Agenda

Most of the items on the foreign policy agenda awaiting President Obama require global cooperation, including climate change, nonproliferation, and the war in Afghanistan. History suggests, however, that nations are less cooperative during times of upheaval, and the economic crisis – itself a problem requiring multinational action – may hinder the new administration’s ability to find solutions.

Published on Dec 28, 2008

Source: Voice of America

“You’d have to go back a long way to find a president so widely embraced around the world,” according to Will Dobson. President Barack Obama will need all the goodwill his election generated as his administration tackles the long list of challenges at home and abroad he has inherited. Most of the items on the foreign policy agenda require global cooperation, including climate change, nonproliferation, and the war in Afghanistan. History suggests, however, that nations are less cooperative during times of upheaval, and the economic crisis – itself a problem requiring multinational action – may hinder the new administration’s ability to find solutions.

In an interview with Voice of America’s Carol Castiel, Dobson discussed the foreign policy agenda facing President Obama, and assessed the prospects for multilateral cooperation on pressing international issues.

Security Military Foreign Policy North America United States

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Emissary
The Migration Wave That Embarrassed Morocco and Rattled Europe
Most migrants may have left Ceuta, but the effects may linger.
Alejandro Martin Rodriguez, Sarah Yerkes
Paper
How Populist Middle Powers Are—and Are Not—Reshaping Global Politics
There is a transnational far-right populist movement that links middle powers in a global movement that extends well beyond Trump.
Christopher S. Chivvis, Rohan Mukherjee, Milan Vaishnav
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Russia Is Exporting Its Fuel Crisis to Central Asia
When faced with fuel shortages in the past, Central Asian governments could always count on additional supplies from Moscow. That safety net no longer exists.
Galiya Ibragimova
Commentary
Emissary
Five Years After His Power Grab, Tunisia’s President Has Only Achieved Failure
Saied’s main accomplishment has been to destroy a decade’s worth of democratic progress.
Sarah Yerkes
Commentary
Emissary
The Drone Attack on Egypt and the Widening Middle East War
The targeting of Damietta Port appears to be more than a mere security message.
Amr Hamzawy

Obama's Foreign Policy Agenda

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

People standing on rocks in the ocean near the shore, with soldiers in the foreground

Commentary

Emissary

The Migration Wave That Embarrassed Morocco and Rattled Europe

Most migrants may have left Ceuta, but the effects may linger.

Alejandro Martin Rodriguez, Sarah Yerkes

Supporters wave VOX and Spanish flags at the start of Patriots for Europe rally at Marriott Auditorium Hotel on February 08, 2025 in Madrid, Spain

Paper

How Populist Middle Powers Are—and Are Not—Reshaping Global Politics

There is a transnational far-right populist movement that links middle powers in a global movement that extends well beyond Trump.

Christopher S. Chivvis, Rohan Mukherjee, Milan Vaishnav

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Russia Is Exporting Its Fuel Crisis to Central Asia

When faced with fuel shortages in the past, Central Asian governments could always count on additional supplies from Moscow. That safety net no longer exists.