Obama's Foreign Policy

The positive potential for US foreign relations is undeniably substantially improved as of January 2009. It was not that most people understood and were against Bush’s policies. Rather they thought he was ignorant and arrogant American chauvinist. In the words of a cabdriver, the world saw him as “a crazy drunk”. International disgust stemmed from the attitude communicated in the way relations were managed and policy was carried out. There was arrogance that we were above treaties and did not need a consensus from our allies to go forward with our agenda. Obama has a chance to reverse the attitude from superiority to camaraderie and respect. Part of this is just because he is different. At the Council of Foreign Relations I spoke with a representative about the potential in the Obama administration. My question was not whether Obama was well received here, but whether he felt like the potential to improve foreign relations would be realized. He responded that he believed it would happen and that it can start with pressure from constituents to act. I spoke again with a cab driver here in Argentina. He explained that he felt like Obama is sincere, genuine, and it one of the people. He said that he does not believe he is a liar. I was interested to find that he was not excited because the war would end, but just that he felt that there would be more honesty. This is an image that Obama has successfully projected. I have learned foreign policy is focused on people feeling valued and respected instead of ignored or manipulated. I look forward to seeing if Obama does channel the positive energy to improve the US image world wide in his time in office. People are looking for someone who they can identify with. Obama has aligned himself with the idea that he is one of the people and not superior. For Argentines this idea of trust is compounded by the lack of trust in their government. His style of facebook, town halls, weekly podcasts, many prime time addresses, has created an approachable and recognized figure. People ultimately want to know that they are important. By reaching out, not only to the American public, but to the international community, he has the opportunity to really build the global community.