US Foreign Policy

Outline
• Introduction
• Doctrines in US Foreign Policy
• Current Foreign Policy
• Challenges and opportunities
• Conclusion
 Current US Foreign Policy
1. Guiding Principles
2. The National Security Strategy
3. Ending the War in Iraq and
Afghanistan
4. Democracy promotion in the Middle
East
5.Keeping Nuclear Weapons Out of the
Hands of Terrorists
 Current US Foreign Policy
6. Promoting Peace and Security in Israel
and the Middle East
7. Re-energizing America’s Alliances
8. Maintaining Core American Values
9.Ensuring Energy Security and Fighting
Climate Change
 Introduction
• USA is a super power of 21st Century and 20th
century was dominated by it.
• It is not only an economic power but having
military might.
• After the Pearl Harbour incident USA involved
itself in world politics.
• Prior to this USA was pursuing policy of
Isolation and internal economic consolidation.
 Introduction
• During cold war USA adopted policy of
containment of communism and become a
champion of democracy, human rights ,
individualism and capitalism.
• The cold war ended with the disintegration of
Soviet Union and emergence of USA as a sole
super power commonly known as “New World
Order”
• This expression was used by US president Bush
Senior in 1992.
 Introduction
• After the failure of communism and state -
controlled economy , USA led the world
economically toward globalization which is
free flow of information, capital and trade. For
trading WTO was established in 1995.
• At the dawn of 21st century USA was
confronted with a war on terror as its might
was challenged by a non-state actor Al-Quida
which was led by OBL.
 Introduction
• 9-11 was a turning point in US foreign Policy
as it adopted aggressive and interventionist
instruments to assert its authority and protect
its national security. Application of drones is
one such instrument. All this has distorted the
image of USA as a soft power.
• In May 2010 USA issued its National Security
Strategy that embodies its foreign policy
objectives.
 Doctrines in US Foreign Policy
• The term "presidential doctrine" refers to a more
consistently applied foreign policy ideology.
• Seven are important
1. Monroe Doctrine
2. Roosevelt Doctrine
3. Truman Doctrine
4. Carter Doctrine
5. Reagan Doctrine
6. Bush Doctrine
7. Obama Doctrine
 1. Monroe Doctrine

• The first major presidential foreign policy

doctrine was created by James Monroe on
December 2, 1823.
• The Monroe Doctrine was a significant statement
of American foreign policy.
• In President James Monroe seventh State of the
Union address, he made it clear that America
would not allow European colonies to further
colonize in the Americas or interfere with
independent states.
 2. Roosevelt Doctrine

• In 1904, Theodore Roosevelt made a major

amendment to the Monroe Doctrine that
significantly altered America's foreign policy.
Previously, the US stated that it would not allow
for European colonization of Latin America.
• Roosevelt's amendment went further stating that
the US would act to help stabilize economic
problems for struggling Latin American nations.
• This is the formulation of Roosevelt's "big stick
diplomacy."
 3. Truman Doctrine

• On March 12, 1947, President Harry Truman

stated his Truman Doctrine in an address before
Congress.
• Under this, the US promised to send money,
equipment, or military force to countries that were
threatened by and resisting communism.
• Truman stated that the US should "support free
peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation
by armed minorities or by outside pressures."
 4. Carter Doctrine

• On January 23, 1980, Jimmy Carter stated

in a State of the Union Address that, "The
Soviet Union is now attempting to
consolidate a strategic position, therefore,
that poses a grave threat to the free
movement of Middle East oil."
• Therefore, military force would be used if
necessary to protect American economic
and national interests in the Persian Gulf.
 5. Reagan Doctrine

• The Reagan Doctrine created by President Ronald

Reagan was in effect from the 1980s until the fall
of the Soviet Union in 1991.
• It was a major change in policy moving from
simple containment to more direct assistance to
those fighting against communist governments.
• In fact, the point of the doctrine was to provide
military and financial support to mujahedeen in
Afghanistan.
 6. Bush Doctrine
• The Bush Doctrine by George W. Bush
introduced during his eight years as president.
• These were in response to the tragic events of
terrorism that occurred on September 11, 2001.
• Part of these policies are based on the belief that
those who harbor terrorists should be treated the
same as those who are terrorists themselves.
• Further, there is the idea of the preventive war
such as the invasion of Iraq to stop those who
might be future threats to the US.
 7. Obama Doctrine

• It would emphasize negotiation and

collaboration rather than confrontation and
unilateralism.
• It was a welcome change interventionist
approach of his predecessor
• Use of Drones against the terrorist is one of its
component.
 1. Guiding Principles
1. Keeping the American people safe
2. Bringing the war on terror to an end
3. Restoring American leadership
4. Keeping USA strong and prosperous
5. Promoting American values of democracy,
human rights, individualism, capitalism.
6. Confronting the challenges of 21st century such
as terrorism, Climate change (Global warming)
and the spread of Nuclear Technology.
 1- Guiding Principles
• President Obama has pursued
1. National security policies that keep the American
people safe,
2. while turning the page on a decade of war and
3. restoring American leadership abroad.
• Since President Obama took office, the United
States has devastated al Qaeda’s leadership, ended
the war in Iraq and have begun to wind down the
war in Afghanistan.
 1- Guiding Principles
• Meanwhile, USA refocused on a broader set of
priorities around the globe that will allow the
United States to be safe, strong, and
prosperous in the 21st century.
• To advance America’s national security, the
President is committed to using all elements of
American power, including the strength of
America’s values
 2. The National Security Strategy
• The National Security Strategy, released May
27, 2010, lays out a strategic approach for
advancing American interests, including
1. The security of the American people,
2. A growing U.S. economy,
3. Support for its values, and
4. An international order that can address 21st
century challenges.
 3. Refocusing on the Threat from al
Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan
• Taken the fight to al Qaeda and eliminated
Osama bin Laden.
• Implemented a new strategy for Pakistan and
Afghanistan (Af Pak) that re-focuses our
efforts on disrupting, dismantling and
defeating al Qaeda and that begins the
drawdown of U.S. forces in July 2011.
• Three D – disrupting, dismantling, and
defeating al Qaeda
 3. Refocusing on the Threat from al
Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan
• Since taking office, the Obama Administration has
focused its resources on al Qaeda and its affiliates.
These counter-terrorism efforts have substantially
impacted al Qaeda’s leadership, including the death of
Osama bin Laden in May 2011.
• On December 1, 2009, at West Point, the President put
forth a new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan
that is focused on disrupting, dismantling, and
defeating al Qaeda and preventing its capacity to
threaten America and our allies in the future.
 3. Refocusing on the Threat from al
Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan
• To accomplish this, he said we would pursue three
objectives:
1. Denying al Qaeda a safe haven,
2. Reversing the Taliban's momentum, and
3. Strengthening the capacity of Afghanistan's
security forces and government so that they can
take lead responsibility for Afghanistan's future.
• He also committed to begin the responsible
withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan
beginning in July 2011.
 3. Refocusing on the Threat from al
Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan
• On June 22, 2011 the President addressed the
American people about the way forward in
Afghanistan. We have made substantial progress
on the objectives the President laid out at West
Point, and he made clear that we will begin the
drawdown of U.S. troops from a position of
strength.
• We have exceeded our expectations on our core
goal of defeating al-Qa’ida – killing 20 of its top
30 leaders, including Osama bin Laden.
 3. Refocusing on the Threat from al
Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan
• We have broken the Taliban’s momentum, and
trained over 100,000 Afghan National Security
Forces.
• The U.S. withdrew 10,000 U.S. troops from
Afghanistan by the end of 2011, and the
33,000 “surge” troops he approved in
December 2009 will leave Afghanistan by the
end of summer 2012.
4. Responsibly Ending the War in Iraq
• On February 27, 2009, President Obama announced a
plan to responsibly end the war in Iraq.
• On August 31, 2010, the President announced the end
of our combat mission in Iraq, and Iraqi Security
Forces assumed lead responsibility for their nation’s
security.
• In December of 2011, the final U.S. troops left Iraq,
ending America’s war there as promised. Beyond
2011, the United States will have a normal
relationship with a sovereign Iraq, one in which we
work together as partners to promote our common
security and prosperity.
 4. Responsibly Ending the War in Iraq

• When the Obama Administration took office,

there were roughly 180,000 U.S. troops
serving in Iraq and Afghanistan – by the end of
2011, that number was cut in half, and it will
continue to go down.
• As we wind down the wars, we are refocusing
on rebuilding our nation at home, and
addressing a broader set of priorities abroad.
4. Democracy promotion in the Middle East

• USA is the oldest democracy and is one

values.
• During Bush junior period this democracy
promotion project was initiated but with no
success at that time.
• It started paying dividend after his departure
and assumption of office by President Obama.
• In Middle East it started in late 2010 and till
date three dictators have been replaced.
4. Democracy promotion in the Middle
East
• It started in Tunesia, followed by Libya, Egypt
and Yeman whereas unrest is going on in Syria
and some other countries. Even it has recently
spread to Turkey.
• These are US engineered changes and the
purpose is to remove and punish anti – US
regimes in ME.
• In Democratic countries USA would be in
better position to change its leadership.
 5. Keeping Nuclear Weapons Out of
the Hands of Terrorists
• On April 5, 2009 in Prague, President Obama declared his
vision for achieving the “peace and security of a world
without nuclear weapons,” laying out a plan for near term
practical steps to move in that direction. He proposed
measures to:
1. reduce the number and role of nuclear weapons by those
states that already possess nuclear weapons, starting first
with Russia and the U.S.;
2. to prevent additional countries from acquiring nuclear
weapons by strengthening the international non-
proliferation regime and by holding accountable those
states that have violated their obligations, such as Iran and
North Korea
 5. Keeping Nuclear Weapons Out of
the Hands of Terrorists
• to prevent nuclear terrorism by securing vulnerable
nuclear materials and strengthening international
cooperation on nuclear security; and,
• to develop new mechanisms to support the growth of
safe and secure nuclear power in ways that reduce the
spread of dangerous technologies.
• President Obama issued an updated Nuclear Posture
Review that reduces the role of nuclear weapons in our
overall defense posture by declaring that the
fundamental role of U.S. nuclear forces is to deter
nuclear attacks against the U.S. and our allies and
partners.
 5. Keeping Nuclear Weapons Out of
the Hands of Terrorists
• In April 2010, the President hosted the Nuclear Security
Summit where leaders pledged specific steps to prevent
nuclear terrorism and support the President’s proposal to
lock down all vulnerable nuclear materials in four years.
• The Administration also oversaw the negotiation and
ratification of the New START Treaty, which President
Obama and President Medvedev signed in April 2010 in
Prague. By significantly reducing levels of U.S. and Russia
deployed strategic weapons, the Treaty represents a
commitment by the world’s two largest nuclear powers to
the goal of disarmament. In addition, the Treaty strengthens
the reset in relations between Washington and Moscow that
is helping us to address the most urgent proliferation threats
we face in Iran and North Korea.
 6. Promoting Peace and Security in
Israel and the Middle East
• The United States is committed to a comprehensive, just,
and lasting peace in the Middle East, including two states
for two peoples – Israel as a Jewish state and the homeland
for the Jewish people and the State of Palestine as the
homeland for the Palestinian people – each enjoying self-
determination, mutual recognition, and peace.
• President Obama believes that a key component of
achieving peace is maintaining the unshakeable U.S.
commitment to Israel’s security.
• He has also said that the core issues can only be negotiated
in direct talks between the parties. That is why the President
stated publicly principles on territory and security that can
provide a foundation for an agreement to end the conflict
and resolve all claims.
 7. Re-energizing America’s Alliances
• America’s relationships with our allies are at the center
of our engagement with the world. Since taking office,
President Obama has strengthened America’s old
alliances, while building new partnerships to confront
the challenges of the 21st century.
• On his first trip overseas, the President visited Europe
to begin this process, with the G-20 Summit, the 60th
Anniversary NATO Summit, and the U.S-E.U. Summit.
During his May 2011 trip to Europe, the President
reaffirmed his commitment to the Transatlantic
Partnership and its role in addressing global challenges.
 7. Re-energizing America’s Alliances
• The President made clear in his speech to the Turkish
Parliament and in Cairo that America's relationship with the
Muslim world will be based on more than our shared
opposition to terrorism. We seek broader engagement based
on mutual interest and mutual respect.
• The United States seeks to strengthen our historic alliances
in Asia while developing deeper bonds with all nations of
the region, so that we might work together to confront the
challenges of the 21st century, including proliferation,
climate change, pandemics and economic instability. Since
the beginning of his administration, the President has made
three trips to Asia and supported strategic senior-level
dialogues with India and China.
 8. Ensuring Energy Security and
Fighting Climate Change
• The President has committed to put America on a path
to a clean energy economy that improves our energy
security, reduces our use of fossil fuels, and drives a
new era of American innovation.
• The United States recognizes the need to break from
old ways that threaten our economy and our planet and
• The President has committed to investing $150 billion
in clean energy research and development over ten
years. From the Americas to Asia, he is building new
clean energy partnerships that will grow our economy
while preserving our planet.
 8. Ensuring Energy Security and
Fighting Climate Change
• The U.S. will be a leader in addressing global
climate change both by making contributions
of our own and engaging other countries to do
the same. President Obama has demonstrated
the United States’ commitment to a low-carbon
future, bilaterally and through the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change
process by working with other major
economies to reduce emissions and pursue
clean energy.
 Challenges & Opportunities
Challenges
• Domestic Economy : Beyond the Fiscal Cliff:
Savings, Healthcare, and Inequality
• Afghanistan : Avoiding Catastrophic Failure in
Afghanistan
• Iran : The Iranian Nuclear Threat
• China :A New Great-Power Relationship With
Beijing
• Arab Spring :Awakening to a New Arab World
 Challenges & Opportunities
• Opportunities
• Managing the Unconventional Oil and Gas
Bonanza
• The Game Changer: Cooperative Missile defense
• A New Friendship: U.S.-India Relations
• Reenergizing democracy Promotion
• The dragon dance: U.S.- China Security
Cooperation