Obama's foreign policy with Philip Bobbitt, Stephen Walt, and Christopher Dickey

23 Jan 2010

Speakers: Stephen Walt, Philip Bobbitt, Christopher Dickey

After his inauguration in 2009 Barack Obama's outlined his foreign policy priorities: to move the stalled peace talks between Israel and Palestine, to improve relations with Iran, and to reduce the number of US soldiers involved in overseas conflicts. The question posed in this talk is: have any of the changes promised by Obama actually materialised? Christopher Dickey, Stephen Walt and Philip Bobbitt attempt to answer this question.

Christopher Dickey explains that Obama has made more progress than is immediately obvious in improving relations with Iraq and Afghanistan, and Stephen Walt points out that public opinion surveys would agree with Dickey's view. He believes that Obama has made the right steps but that his 'to do list' is not an easy one to complete. Nothing on this list can be completed in a few years, let alone a few months. Philip Bobbitt believes that, although Obama's status has increased, finding partners to resolve foreign conflicts is still difficult.

Answering a question regarding an 'asymmetrical' war against those who are vaguely labelled 'extremists'. Bobbitt denies that Obama is at fault in explanation or action. Dickey feels that Obama has been clear on his aims, and that his allies were inherited, not chosen. After Obama's first year in office, Walt explains, the net result for Washington, despite good intentions, is negative. The administration has moved in the right direction, but events in Iran are beyond their control. Compromise with Iran, Walt explains, will not be easy, and patience is necessary. Bobbitt explains that in one year a realistic pace of progress has been achieved - a positive groundwork for negotiations has been established.

Stephen Walt

Professor of international affairs at Harvard University
Philip Bobbitt

Herbert Wechsler Professor of Jurisprudence, Columbia University
Christopher Dickey

Paris Bureau Chief and Middle East Regional Editor, Newsweek Magazine