Obama's Game Plan (Sept. 30, 2007)

"Politics is not a game, it's a mission for me ... the times are too serious and the stakes too big to continue with the current game plan", presidential candidate Barack Obama cautioned on September 20 before a crowd of approximately 5,000 at the World Congress Center, Atlanta.

 In yet another step to the White House, there were allusions to biblical Joshua and his rod of correction that echoed Obama's earlier remarks in March at the AME church in Selma, Alabama.   Again, he expressed his aversion for the present Washington political ethos in conducting the nation's business and urged the pursuit of a new order that was free of special interests politicking, and implicitly millennial.  Herein lies his unbridled optimism, reassuring hope, and enlightened perspective of the aspirations of Americans broadly writ. 

Obama reiterated his unswerving commitment to justice, integrity, and innovation.  His proposals and resolve reflect that.  For example, he criticized the "no child left behind" policy for inadequate funding.  Similarly, health care and insurance for all Americans is a cornerstone of his envisioned social policy.

 Obama steered clear of Reverend Jesse Jackson's alleged criticism, denounced violence, and appealed for equal justice in the Jena-6 case in Louisiana.  Yes, the junior Senator from Illinois drew a comparison between the possible penalty for the black teen-agers and that imposed on former Vice President's Cheney's aide Scooter Libby for obstruction of justice after having disclosed the remit of the CIA employee Valerie Plame.

 In the pragmatic world of day-to-day politics, leadership requires more than vision; effectiveness more than hope.  True grit is often the indispensable ingredient in the rough and tumble of the legislative process as well as the international political and economic environment.  Promoting U.S. interests and ensuring the security of the country are fundamental duties that Obama must handle in the context of a diminished US image abroad and in the face of unprecedented threats.

 So the current administration's game plan must be transformed.  And this requires taking risks that could even back fire.  But the dividends could be higher.  Therefore, as head of state, Obama cannot afford to rely only on intellect, instinct, and experience.  He needs capable advisers who can help him rescue the country from the precipice caused in part by reckless and expensive military expeditions that were orchestrated by officials who have none or scant military service. 

The enigma facing Obama is to find an equilibrium between the merits of tradition and the justification for change.  In his view, the administration's current game plan is disastrous both at home and abroad where current economic policy fosters the growing division between the rich and the poor, woeful social policies, and squandering of US prestige abroad. 

 Obama has not been afraid to admit his fallibility.  Clearly, he will be hard pressed to live up to his promises when he assumes office as president in January 2009.   But from all indications, he has the mettle, insight, and drive to find the equilibrium, put his plan into action, and manage change effectively.

Obama on Diplomacy (Dec. 4, 2008)

Solving world problems requires a calibrated use of the instruments of national power: diplomacy, military, information, and economics.

Presumptive Democratic candidate Senator Barack Obama has been focusing on these instruments as evidenced by his statements during his recent visit to Afghanistan, Middle East, and Europe.

                                   

On his return to the US, he immediately consulted with his chief economic advisers seeking ways to improve capital formation and domestic production, promote trade, reduce oil dependency, and expand financial markets.   Resolving trade imbalance with China and other countries is uppermost in his mind as he will certainly face domestic protectionist pressure if he becomes president.

In a recent op-ed, Nicholas D. Kristof points to the paucity of funds and Foreign Service officers in comparison to the abundance of materiel and the proposed increase of military personnel for Afghanistan ostensibly to preserve our national security. 

Similarly, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has been calling for strengthening of our foreign service in order to handle the array of diplomatic challenges and engage in preventive diplomacy.  With adequate staffing, skilled US diplomats and their intelligence colleagues can probe and uncover indicators and flash points of unrest in foreign countries, notwithstanding the CNN factor.

 Diplomatic readiness and preventive diplomacy require the deployment of adequate personnel to our embassies, consulates, and other missions abroad.  In fact, these diplomatic missions are on the front line of our national security: vetting, denying  or issuing  visas; reporting on political and economic developments; promoting trade; explaining America; debunking falsehoods that are often propagated against the US; engaging in academic exchanges; and facilitating dialogue between our visiting officials and host country officials.  Showing the American flag and participating in representational events are also essential responsibilities.

 Our diplomatic effectiveness -- in an era where US prestige has fallen -- will improve in foreign lands by establishing reading rooms, showing films about the US, and promoting intellectual exchange across small communities.  By so doing, our diplomatic personnel will have a far reach and a sense of the pulse of the people as our perspectives are shared.

Senator Obama cites the JFK initiative of the Peace Corps as an example of the kind of voluntarism and selflessness that had a positive impact and effectively solidified relations between our volunteers and their interlocutors at the local level.  Trust and humility were key elements of the relationship.  Of course, this exchange was generally free of arrogance and didactics.

 Foreign influence makers and publics are keen observers of the US actions in world affairs so tangible results from US volunteer presence often went a long way.

 Obama's recent visit overseas confirms his facility at conveying the message of hope and respect for foreign countries.  His avowed admiration of the US military apparently struck a resonant chord. 

 However, in order to give credence to his rhetoric he must take active steps to promote our diplomatic corps so that they can utilize aptly the tools at their disposal to influence events by, for example, the use of incentives and disincentives as the situation warrants.  This will indeed mean speaking to adversaries from a position of strength based on expertise, with a strong military backing evident.

Calibrating the instruments of national power is critical, as is refinement of diplomatic training to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.  Without adequate funding by Congress diplomacy will suffer. 

Obama seems to understand this imperative. Therefore he must intensify his efforts in Congress for increased diplomatic funding and presence if his earnest appeal for diplomacy is to prevail in current conflicts. 

Crisis and International Intervention in SEE (April 5, 2009)

The course will focus primarily on recent political developments in the Balkans and international intervention in the region. These will be an assessment of the impact and outcome of the Dayton Peace Accords in Bosnia Herzegovina, military and humanitarian intervention in Kosovo, peacekeeping, and responsibility and perspectives of international judicial institutions.

Read More: http://www.eng.unibo.it/PortaleEn/Academic+programmes/Teachings/dettaglio.htm?AnnoAccademico=2008&IdComponenteAF=331698&CodDocente=041882&CodMateria=32226

Former diplomats visit, discuss foreign policy under Obama administration (Mar 20, 2009)

With only two months into the new term, foreign policy and its role in the Barack Obama administration has been a hot button issue across the country.

At a discussion sponsored by the School of Law's Dean Rusk Center, Earle and Barbara Scarlett, who together have 50 plus yeas of international diplomacy experience, discussed how President Obama's administration will shape foreign policy in the United States.

Read more: http://www.redandblack.com/news/former-diplomats-visit-discuss-foreign-policy-under-obama-administration/article_7876e83d-87ba-5d9b-8333-5772107ae10e.html?mode=jqm

Obama's Engine in Full Steam (April 22, 2007)

Each day more and more the Obama momentum seems unstoppable.  This impetus may be due in part to an uncanny historical nexus of a man with the times.

Senator Obama’s apparent  qualities of  statesman and his effervescence outstrip  other presidential candidates of his party and the Republican.   His  sincerity  is  palpable,  and his command of important  issues debunks his detractors’ criticism that there is no time for “on the job training” and the “folly of youth”. These statements  now  seem  vacuous  in  light of Obama’s  rapid political maturation and evident growing appeal to a wide cross section of America.

In essence, Obama  is good for America, and for the world that is yearning for an American leader with intellect and vision to handle the complexities of  globalization and collective security.

 I witnessed Senator Obama  enthrall audiences at both the AME Church in Selma a few weeks ago and the political rally on April 14 on the green at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta.  The rally’s diverse gathering embraced his enthusiastic and empathic appeal, free of demagoguery, that was tastily peppered with fresh ideas  including  developing  meaningful  work programs for felons,  and  extricating  the  nation’s capital from  the prevailing climate of   “power trumping political change”.

 With domestic and international uneasiness over Iraq, endless political bickering in the nation’s capital, and growing disparity at home between the rich and others, Obama’s appeal for change rings a resonant chord, especially among the vast majority who live outside the Washington Beltway.  His refreshing refrain that “ordinary people can do extra-ordinary   things   if   given   a   chance” harkens back to the country’s historical innovative spirit, while evoking a sense of hope for the less fortunate and elderly, as well as the young and enterprising.  There  is  “something  stirring  in  the country”,  he  said, calling for a change from the current administration’s  ethos of “obstinacy”  to one that will satisfy the public’s yearnings,  and  not be separated from its own government.

As the Rev. Joseph Lowery said in Selma and Atlanta, “America is now facing the darkness of fear, doubt, and division”.

 Obama is astute.  As president he will be eminently capable of forging a “diplomatic surge” internationally.  And at home, he can to foster social harmony, economic growth and a climate of mutual responsibility among the citizenry.

It looks like Obama will have the chance to meet that challenge since nothing on the horizon seems likely to derail his campaign train that has gathered the steam and momentum needed to reach the White House.

Ratko Mladic’s capture could be problematic (May 28, 2011)

The quest for EU accession is a driving force today in the western Balkans. This enabled the eventual arrest, albeit belated, of the elusive indicted war criminal General Ratko Mladic. The capture will likely be characterised as a triumph of carrot and stick diplomacy, now also referred to as wine and vinegar.

Beyond Mladic's trial at the Hague Tribunal on Yugoslavia (ITFY), the prospects for civil society and stability are elusive in this region still plagued by uncertainties generated by latent nationalist sentiments, sectarian divisions, corruption, and uneven economic growth.

One would imagine that the capture of Mladic would be a welcome development in Serbia. But in the Balkans events often defy logic.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Ratko-Mladic-s-capture-could-be-problematic_8900083

Teetering and contagious Egypt: Obama's dilemma (February 06, 2011)

THE outcome of the crisis in Egypt can be disastrous or instructive. President Obama faces tough choices with this country reeling in unrest that could deteriorate into anarchy as antipathy between the demonstrators and pro-Mubarak supporters intensifies. As the situation worsens the US options narrow.

In Egypt and elsewhere, the immediate causes for this popular outburst are rooted in a longstanding desire for a responsive and inclusive system of governance. Civil society advocates in Egypt have realised that economic growth and political reform marching in tandem will enable durable democracy building that goes beyond mere elections and ephemeral constitutions. The caveat is -- economic growth must evolve to economic development to be fully appreciated by all communities throughout the country.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/Teetering-and-contagious-Egypt--Obama-s-dilemma_8332920