Even before taking office, President Obama began laying out in his public statements the tenets of a doctrine, that if enacted, would enable his Administration to remake America as one nation among many, with no singular claim either to responsibility or exceptionalism. These tenets include a more humble engagement with the world and more reliance on others as well as treaties and international organizations to deal with global crises and threats to our security.
Has the Obama Doctrine made America and the world more secure? The President believes so, asserting in his recent State of the Union Address that “America is back” – even as he has sped up withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and Afghanistan, leaving them open to terrorist and foreign influence; Iran to whom he extended an “open hand” is dangerously close to possessing nuclear weapons; and the policy of “leading from behind” has contributed to making the outcomes of the Arab Spring uprisings uncertain. The U.S. faces increasing resistance to its policies from Pakistan, China, Russia, and even America’s allies in Europe, who worry about the Administration’s “pivot to Asia.” Join us as our expert panel analyzes the Obama Doctrine’s effects on American security and grades the President’s foreign policy performance at Year Three.
More About the Speakers
Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D.
Vice President, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, The Heritage Foundation
Marc A. Thiessen
Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
Clifford D. May
President, Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Hosted By
Helle C. Dale
Senior Fellow for Public Diplomacy
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