Obama Foreign Policy and the New Congress
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Barack Obama's election was celebrated in Europe, and he opened his hand to Russia — even Iran. What has he accomplished so far? What new obstacles will he face from empowered Republicans? Also, the President endorses a Security Council seat for India, and George W. Bush's presidential memoir, Decision Points, goes on sale tomorrow. We get an assessment.
Banner image: General David Petraeus, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, talks in front of a painting of a traditional Afghan scene in his office in ISAF headquarters October 22, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo: Chris Hondros/Getty Images
Making News
President Obama Endorses Security Council Seat for India ()
In today's address to the Indian Parliament in New Delhi, President Obama made a commitment that India has been waiting for, its inclusion as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Professor David Bosco teaches international politics at American University and writes the Multiliateralist blog for Foreign Policy magazine. He's author of Five to Rule Them All: The UN Security Council and the Making of the Modern World.
Guests:
- David Bosco: Assistant Professor of International Politics, American University
Main Topic
Can President Obama Change the Subject? ()
Many presidents have diverted attention from domestic defeats by focusing on foreign policy, but that option may not be available to Barack Obama. While the Constitution gives the President authority to conduct foreign policy, he still needs Congress to appropriate money and the Senate to ratify treaties. New Republican committee chairs in the House take a dim view of foreign aid, climate change, the arms treaty with Russia or reducing troops in Afghanistan. They want to crack down on Iran and lighten up on Israeli settlements. They might give Obama a break on free trade, but will Democrats go along? Now, the Fed has outraged the rest of the world by deciding to print money.
Guests:
- Josh Rogin: Reporter, Foreign Policy magazine, @joshrogin
- Christine Fair: Assistant Professor, Georgetown University's Center for Peace and Security Studies, @CChristineFair
- Bruce Stokes: Senior Transatlantic Fellow, German Marshall Fund
- Sebastian Mallaby: Senior Fellow on International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
George W. Bush's Take on His Presidency ()
George W. Bush called himself "the decider," and his account of eight years in the White House is called Decision Points. It officially goes on the market tomorrow, but a lot has already leaked or been the subject of book reviews. Tim Rutten is a book critic and columnist for the Los Angeles Times.
Guests:
- Tim Rutten: Columnist, Los Angeles Times
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