The high and low of Obama’s foreign policy

 

The high and low of Obama’s foreign policy

 

As a member of the peace community seeking end to perpetual US warfare, I looked forward to Obama’s presidency. He had an opportunity to pivot away from US forever wars under George W. Bush. Expectations Obama would promote peace were high.

 

His eight years, 2009-2017, largely disappointed but accomplished one of the most important diplomatic achievements in modern US history, the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

 

The JCPOA was the seminal agreement reached between the US, Russia, China Germany, UK and France with Iran to limit Iran’s nuclear program to prevent their building nuclear weapons. In return the 6 nations and the EU would provide sanctions relief and eventually resume normal diplomatic relations.

 

Alas, the opponents of any détente with Iran, led by Israel, politically motivated Republicans seeking to undermine the Obama presidency and US war hawks, conspired to destroy the JCPOA. Sadly, they captured the narrative and the White House. Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in May, 2018 less than 3 years from its inception. Obama’s greatest foreign policy diplomatic achievement was destroyed and replaced not by diplomacy, but by war raging into its fourth month threatening worldwide economic collapse.

 

Obama’s foreign policy low point was his regime change operation against Libyan strongman ruler Muammar Gaddafi. Obama intervened in the Libyan civil war, greenlighting military strikes on the Gaddafi regime in March, 2011.  After insurgents captured and killed Gaddafi, Obama’s Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gloated “We came, we say, he died”, possibly the most grotesque public statement ever by a top American diplomat.

 

Today Libya is not only a failed state, but its failure has bled into warfare and political, economic destabilization thruout Africa. Even President Obama realized the damage his misguided intervention caused now going on 15 years. He stated that his decision to intervene in Libya was the “worst mistake” of his presidency.  

 

When the Obama Presidential Center opens June 19, there will be little to celebrate or revere regarding his foreign policy. His low point will haunt Libya and much of Africa for years to come. His high point will be long forgotten, disastrously undone by his successor to plunge the world into recession, if not depression. 

 

Walt Zlotow  West Suburban Peace Coalition  Glen Ellyn IL