July 16th, 2008 by Matt

A few POMED-relevant items from Barack Obama’s foreign policy speech yesterday.  First, he defines success in Iraq–downplaying the likelihood of “flawless democracy” in favor of “a government that is taking responsibility for its future - a government that prevents sectarian conflict, and ensures that the al Qaeda threat which has been beaten back by our troops does not reemerge.”  He goes on to say that victory will be near when Iraqis can responsibly “reach the political accommodation necessary for long-term stability.”  The speech and Obama’s recent op-ed on Iraq provide details of his strategy for reaching such a point.

Obama links together the success of Afghanistan and Pakistan, and says he will focus on “training Afghan security forces and supporting an Afghan judiciary” while simultaneously building up the economy and cracking down on narco-trafficking.  Elaborating on how to improve the security situation in the tribal areas between the two countries, Obama argues, “we must offer more than a blank check to a General who has lost the confidence of his people. It’s time to strengthen stability by standing up for the aspirations of the Pakistani people.”  Only a “strong Pakistani democracy” can permanently secure the region.

Moving the topic to his plan for energy independence, Obama laments the rising price of oil and how it “takes leverage away from America and shifts it to dictators” in the Middle East and elsewhere.  He also mentions doubling U.S. foreign assistance to $50 billion by 2012, which presumably would include a few bucks to support democracy and governance in weak and failing states.

Tim Fernholz thought Obama did well, especially on Iraq.  Abe Greenwald criticizes Obama on Pakistan.

Posted in Election 08, Iraq, Pakistan, US foreign policy, US politics |