Obama's foreign policy is a gift to America's enemies

27 May 2010

The debate 'Obama's foreign policy is a gift to his enemies took place on May 27th 2010, and was organised in association with BBC World News.

Arguing in favour of the motion are Bill Kristol, General Jack Keane, and Con Coughlin.

Bill Kristol argues that the world is less safe, democracies are less strong, and America is less of a force for good since Obama was inaugurated.

Jack Keane criticises American foreign policy under Obama as weak and unreliable. In Afghanistan Keane judges Obama's policies as paradoxical: for instance, launching fresh attacks whilst announcing a withdrawl date for US troops.

Con Coughlin states his belief that Obama's 'open-fist' policy towards Iran is naive, stating that his foreign policy achieves the reverse of its intentions by encouraging Iranian nuclear arms programmes.

Arguing against the motion are Simon Schama, Philip Bobbitt, and Bernard-Henri Lévy.

Simon Schama begins by stating that Obama is a multilateral pragmatist who realises that one cannot deal with one party at a time - Obama, Schama explains, has not isolated Russia, China, or Iran.

Philip Bobbitt believes that Obama is showing the world that confrontation is unattractive and that negotiation is a viable option, but that, as with the troop surge in Afghanistan, Obama will commit troops if they are needed.

Bernard-Henri Lévy expounds his philosophical theories on war by drawing comparisons between President Obama and the ancient Chinese General Sun Tzu, who thought it best to work closely with allies and divide one's enemies.

First vote: 297 For, 561 Against, 458 Undecided

Final vote: 369 For, 780 Against, 90 Undecided

Speakers for the motion

Jack Keane

Former Vice Chief of Staff, US Army
Con Coughlin

Executive Foreign Editor, Daily Telegraph
Bill Kristol

Founder and Editor, The Weekly Standard

Chair

Zeinab Badawi

BBC World News presenter

Speakers against the motion

Simon Schama

Historian and broadcaster
Philip Bobbitt

Herbert Wechsler Professor of Jurisprudence, Columbia University
Bernard-Henri Levy

Philosopher and journalist