Article & Web Alert (May/June 2009) - New Delhi

F O C U SU.S. Foreign Policy: The ObamaAgendaA new chapter in the history of the United States began inNovember 2008 when Americans elected Barack Hussein Obamaas the first African American president of the nation. The worldlooked upon Obama as an ambassador of change as he filled inthe details of his campaign theme: "Change We Can Believe In."At a time when America continues to face unprecedented foreignpolicy and national security challenges, Obama has chosen tostart with a full sprint, signing executive orders within hours oftaking the oath of office. "Know that America is a friend of eachnation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future ofpeace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more" thepresident said moments after taking office, sending ripples ofoptimistic signals to the entire world.As president, Obama faces myriad upheavals on the internationalmap including weakening economy, conflicts in Iran andAfghanistan, widespread terrorism, proliferation of nuclearweapons, increasing assertiveness of Russia, rising military power ofChina, global climate change, the spread of poverty, infectiousdiseases and ethnic and religious strife worldwide. Havingcompleted his first 100 days as America's president, BarackObama has given significant indications about the contemporaryshifts and priorities in his foreign policies. In an hour-longnationally televised press conference on April 29, 2009, he saidin his own analysis of his first 100 days, "I think we're off to a goodstart. But it's just a start. I'm proud of what we've achieved, but I'mnot content."During his tenure so far, Obama has committed himself and hisadministration to a foreign policy that ensures the safety of theAmerican people. His foreign policy pledges to end the war inIraq responsibly, finish the fight against the Taliban and al Qaedain Afghanistan, secure nuclear weapons and nuclear materialsfrom terrorists, and renew American diplomacy to support strongalliances and to seek a lasting peace in the Israeli-Palestinianconflict. As promised in his election campaign, Obama is well onhis way to change the direction of America's foreign policy.In the first 48 hours of his presidency, Obama issued executiveorders to close the detention center on the U.S. naval base atGuantánamo Bay, Cuba within a year, to address the treatmentand legal status of detainees, and to ban enhanced interrogation3 ARTICLE & WEB ALERT