Foreign policy of the Barack Obama administration

The Foreign policy of the Barack Obama administration is the foreign policy of the United States from January 20, 2009 onward under the administration of President Barack Obama. Some of Obama's major foreign policy advisors include Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, National Security Advisor James L. Jones, and United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice.

History

See also: Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008

See also: Presidential transition of Barack Obama

Background

During his campaign for the presidency, Barack Obama advocated a phased redeployment of troops out of Iraq within 16 months of being sworn in as president. In order to accomplish this Obama stated that he would, based on the conditions on the ground, redeploy between 1 and 2 battalions a month. Some of the forces would return to the U.S., while others would be redeployed as part of a focus on the broader region including Afghanistan and Pakistan to confront terrorism. Obama gave his first major foreign policy speech of his campaign on April 23, 2007 to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, in which he outlined his foreign policy objectives including identifying five key ways to restore U.S. leadership including:

1. "bringing a responsible end to this war in Iraq and refocusing on the critical challenges in the broader region,"
2. "by building the first truly 21st century military and showing wisdom in how we deploy it,"
3. "by marshalling a global effort to meet a threat that rises above all others in urgency – securing, destroying, and stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction,"
4. "rebuild and construct the alliances and partnerships necessary to meet common challenges and confront common threats," and
5. "while America can help others build more secure societies, we must never forget that only the citizens of these nations can sustain them."

During his campaign, Obama emphasized the importance of diplomacy and development as tools to aid the U.S. in building new and even stronger alliances, re-building broken relationships and repairing the United States image abroad. In addition, he stated that one of his foreign policy objectives was to combat global poverty, generate wealth and build educated and healthy communities as a means to combat extremism.

President-elect Obama nominated former rival, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to serve as his Secretary of State on December 1, 2008, and chose to keep Secretary of Defense Robert Gates as his Secretary of Defense. He would appoint General James L. Jones to serve as his National Security Advisor and nominate Governor of Arizona Janet Napolitano as Secretary of Homeland Security.

Clinton stated during her confirmation hearings that she believed that "the best way to advance America's interests in reducing global threats and seizing global opportunities is to design and implement global solutions" and "We must use what has been called "smart power," the full range of tools at our disposal – diplomatic, economic, military, political, legal and cultural – picking the right tool or combination of tools for each situation. With smart power, diplomacy will be the vanguard of our foreign policy."

During the days and weeks leading up to his inauguration there were several major world conflicts including a crisis between Israel and Palestinians, specifically Hamas, in Gaza. The 2008-2009 Israeli-Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas resulted in an unstable cease-fire on January 18, 2009, two days prior to Obama's inauguration. Conflicting reports state that either Hamas or Israel violated this cease-fire.

Initial themes

Further information: [[:Obama inauguration]]

In his inaugural address, President Obama, elaborating on his foreign policy, suggested that he hoped to begin the process of withdrawing from Iraq and continuing to focus on the conflict in Afghanistan. He also mentioned lessening the nuclear threat through "working tirelessly with old friends and former foes." He spoke about America's determination to combat terrorism by proclaiming that America's spirit is "stronger and cannot be broken – you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you." To the Muslim world, Obama extended an invite to "a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect." He also said we would be willing to "extend a hand" to those "who cling to power through corruption and deceit" if they "are willing to unclench" their fists.

Obama added that, "we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils that we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man – a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience sake." Vice President Joe Biden reaffirmed this during the first major foreign policy speech of the administration, on February 7, 2009, when he proclaimed that there "is no conflict between our security and our ideals. They are mutually reinforcing. The force of arms won our independence, and throughout our history, the force of arms has protected our freedom. That will not change. But the very moment we declared our independence, we laid before the world the values behind our revolution and the conviction that our policies must be informed by a “decent respect for the opinions of mankind."

On his first full-day as president, January 21, 2009, Obama called President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian National Authority, Prime Minister Olmert of Israel, King Abdullah of Jordan and President Mubarak of Egypt. At the same time, Obama called on Israel to open the borders of Gaza, detailing early plans on his administration's peace plans for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Obama and Secretary of State Clinton named George Mitchell as Special Envoy for Middle East peace and Richard Holbrooke as special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan on January 23, 2009. The Mitchell appointment signalled that Clinton might stay away from the direct Secretary-level negotiating that her predecessor, Condoleezza Rice, had spent much effort on during the previous two years.

Within less than a week in her new position, Secretary of State Clinton had already called almost 40 foreign leaders or foreign ministers. She said the world was eager to see a new American foreign policy and that, “There is a great exhalation of breath going on around the world. We’ve got a lot of damage to repair.” She did indicate that not every past policy would be repudiated, and specifically said it was essential that the six-party talks over the North Korean nuclear weapons program continue.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrives at the State Department on her first day greeted by a standing room only crowd of Department employees.

Clinton re-emphasized her views during her first speech to State Department employees when she said, "There are three legs to the stool of American foreign policy: defense, diplomacy, and development. And we are responsible for two of the three legs. And we will make clear, as we go forward, that diplomacy and development are essential tools in achieving the long-term objectives of the United States. And I will do all that I can, working with you, to make it abundantly clear that robust diplomacy and effective development are the best long-term tools for securing America's future." Clinton also soon visited the United States Agency for International Development, where she met employees and said they would be getting extra funds and attention during the new administration.

Obama visited the State Department two days after his inauguration, where he said he wanted to "make sure that everybody understands that the State Department is going to be absolutely critical to our success in the years to come." He mingled with the career foreign service officers and spoke to one in the Indonesian language he learned growing up. Clinton said the visit indicated that Obama was "through word and deed, sending a loud and clear signal that diplomacy is a top priority."

On January 26, Obama gave his first formal interview as president to the Arabic-language television news channel Al Arabiya. Obama said that, "My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy." Obama mentioned that he had spent several years growing up in the world's most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia, and called for resumed negotiations between Israel and Palestinians. Obama's gesture in reaching out to the Muslim world was unprecedented for a U.S. president.

Africa

Zimbabwe

Further information: [[:Zimbabwe–United States relations]]

U.S. President Barack Obama is a strong critic of the government of Zimbabwe led by President Robert Mugabe. Although Obama congratulated longtime opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on becoming Prime Minister of Zimbabwe under a power-sharing agreement, U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood warned, "We need to see evidence of good governance and particularly real, true power sharing on the part of Robert Mugabe before we are going to make any kind of commitment," to lifting economic sanctions on the impoverished Southern African country, which has been ruled by Mugabe since independence in 1980.

After the death of Susan Tsvangirai, the prime minister's wife, in an automobile collision in central Zimbabwe on March 6, 2009, the U.S. State Department expressed the condolences of the administration to Morgan Tsvangirai, who was injured but not badly hurt in the wreck.

Asia

Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)

See also: Korean War

Further information: [[:North Korea–United States relations]]

Not long after Barack Obama took office as President of the United States on January 20, 2009, North Korea elbowed its way back onto the international stage after a period of relative quietude during the waning months of the Bush administration. But in spite of a pledge, made during George W. Bush's last few weeks as president, to denuclearize, North Korea drew accusations of planning a new long-range intercontinental ballistic missile test weeks after Obama was sworn in. The accusations, which came mostly from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, were countered by Pyongyang's insistence that the alleged missile test preparation identified by U.S. spy satellite observation was actually groundwork for a North Korean satellite launch.

President Obama, in solidarity with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, warned North Korea against "provocative" gestures such as a missile test. The United States Navy has declared its readiness to use missile defense systems to shoot down a North Korean missile if one is launched, either offensively or as a test, with Admiral Timothy Keating saying that the fleet awaited the president's order. However, North Korea warned on March 9, 2009, that such a shootdown would "precisely mean a war".

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton stirred controversy on February 19, 2009, when she admitted that the Obama administration was concerned over a possible succession crisis in North Korea, in reference to the recent apparent illness of reclusive leader Kim Jong-il. While on a tour of East Asia over the following days, Clinton expressed the Obama administration's desire to engage in negotiations with the North Korean government to seek nuclear disarmament for the Communist state.

On February 20, 2009, the U.S. State Department, led by Clinton, appointed Stephen Bosworth as Special Representative for North Korea Policy. Bosworth embarked on a mission to East Asia in early March 2009 and is expected to meet with Chinese, Russian, Japanese, and South Korean officials to discuss the North Korean nuclear situation.

People's Republic of China

Further information: [[:Sino-American relations]]

"...our relationship with China will be the most important bilateral relationship in the world in this century."

— Hillary Rodham Clinton, during her candidacy for U.S. president.

In a speech given February 13, 2009, to the Asia Society, Secretary of State Clinton said that "some believe that China on the rise is, by definition, an adversary", but "[t]o the contrary, we believe that the United States and China can benefit from and contribute to each other's successes. It is in our interests to work harder to build on areas of common concern and shared opportunities." Secretary Clinton left on her first foreign policy tour (to Asia) on February 15, 2009 including scheduled stops in Japan, China, South Korea, and Indonesia. Joining her on this trip is Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern.

Prior to leaving on her tour of Asia, Secretary Clinton remarked, "We see the Chinese economic relationship as essential to our own country, so we're going to consult and work in a way that will be mutually beneficial." Clinton attracted criticism, though, when she suggested that U.S. criticism of the human rights record of the People's Republic of China should not be allowed to "interfere" with cooperation with Beijing on resolving global economic, environmental, and security crises. But less than a week later, a report signed by Clinton slamming the PRC on its human rights violations in 2008 was released by the U.S. State Department. Beijing responded sourly, releasing via state news agency Xinhua a 9,000-word report identifying U.S. human rights violations. The report pointedly concluded: "The U.S. practice of throwing stones at others while living in a glass house is a testimony to the double standards and hypocrisy of the United States in dealing with human rights issues, and has undermined its international image. We hereby advise the U.S. government to begin anew, face its own human rights problems with courage, and stop the wrong practice of applying double standards on human rights issues."

India

Further information: [[:India – United States relations]]

"As great powers, together we [India and U.S.] have an obligation to... build the institutions of cooperation...

— James Steinberg, United States Deputy Secretary of State

Despite much gains in Indo-American relations during the tenure of the Bush administration, India was not one of the Asian countries Hillary Clinton visited in February 2008. The Foreign Policy magazine reported that even though Foreign Policy Staff of the previous administration had recommended India as a "key stop" during any such official tour of Asia, Hillary Clinton will not be making a visit to New Delhi. The exclusion of India from the Asian tour was regarded as a "mistake" by some analysts. India was not even mentioned once in the Obama administration's official foreign policy agenda. The Forbes magazine alerted Obama on the need to prevent United States' new-found alliance with India from erosion.

In an editorial, the National Interest suggested that the Obama administration could possibly damage "the foundations underlying the geostrategic partnership" between India and the United States. Another editorial published by the Taipei Times highlighted the importance of India-U.S. relations and urged Barack Obama to give "India the attention it deserves". Terming India to be United States' "indispensable ally", the Christian Science Monitor argued that the Obama administration needs India's cooperation on several issues, including climate change, Afghanistan war and energy security and therefore, Obama cannot risk putting ties with India on "back-burner". In March 2008, the Director of the CIA, Leon Panetta, visited India to discuss a host of issues including common strategy on dealing with Islamic extremism and Taliban. This was his first international visit since he assumed office.

However, there were signs of new coldness in India-U.S. relations. India's National Security Adviser, M.K. Narayanan, criticized the Obama administration for linking the Kashmir dispute to the instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan and said that by doing so, President Obama was "barking up the wrong tree". The Foreign Policy too criticized Obama's approach towards South Asia saying that "India can be a part of the solution rather than part of the problem" in South Asia and suggested India to take a more proactive role in rebuilding Afghanistan irrespective of the attitude of the Obama administration. In a clear indication of growing rift between India and the U.S., the former decided not to accept a U.S. invitation to attend a conference on Afghanistan. Bloomberg reported that since 2008 Mumbai attacks, the public mood in India has been to pressurize Pakistan more aggressively to take actions against the culprits behind the terrorist attack and this might reflect on the upcoming general elections in May 2009. Consequently, the Obama administration may find itself at odds with India's rigid stance against terrorism. The Times of India reported that because of increasing concerns over the possibility of the United States agreeing to a Pakistan-assisted scheme to put some "moderate" elements of Taliban in charge of governing Afghanistan, India was carrying out discussions with Iran and Russia, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, to devise a strategy to "roundly defeat" the Taliban.

Ties between India and the United States have soured on the economic front too. India strongly criticized Obama administration's decision to limit H-1B visas and India's External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, said that his country would argue against U.S. "protectionism" at various international forums. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a close aide of India's main opposition party the BJP, said that if the United States continues with its anti-outsourcing policies, then India will "have to take steps to hurt American companies in India." India's Commerce Minister, Kamal Nath, said that India may move against Obama's outsourcing policies at the World Trade Organization. However, the outsourcing advisory head of KPMG said that India had no reason to worry since Obama's statements were directed against "outsourcing being carried out by manufacturing companies" and not outsourcing of IT-related services.

In March 2008, the Obama administration cleared the US$2.1 billion sale of eight P-8 Poseidons to India, the largest military deal between the two countries. However, in a major blow to U.S.-India ties, the Obama administration blocked the sale of General Electric LM2500 gas turbine engines which were to be fitted to Indian Navy's Shivalik class frigates.

Myanmar (Burma)

Further information: [[:Burma–United States relations]]

The Obama administration has been reticent in dealing with the Union of Myanmar since taking over in January 2009, preferring to prioritize broader security threats like Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan. Susan E. Rice, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, called the junta government's hold over Myanmar, known in the West as Burma, "one of the most intractable challenges for the global community". Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton claimed that the Obama administration was "looking at what steps we might take that might influence the current Burmese government and...looking for ways that we could more effectively help the Burmese people", though she echoed Rice's pessimism in noting the junta's historical isolationism and disregard for economic sanctions.

Afghanistan

See also: War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

Further information: [[:Afghanistan–United States relations]]

On February 18, 2009, Obama announced that the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan would be bolstered by 17,000 new troops by the summer. The announcement followed the recommendation of several experts including Defense Secretary Robert Gates that additional troops be deployed to the strife-torn South Asian country. The Obama Department of Justice submitted a court filing that there would be no immediate change from Bush-era policy to deny detainees at Bagram Air Force Base access to U.S. courts in order to appeal their detention.

Pakistan

See also: War in North-West Pakistan

Further information: [[:Pakistan–United States relations]]

As a presidential candidate, Senator Obama was noted for his tough stance on Pakistan. "If the United States has al Qaeda, bin Laden, top-level lieutenants in our sights, and Pakistan is unable or unwilling to act, then we should take them out," Obama asserted at a September 26, 2008, presidential debate with John McCain, who protested, You don’t say that out loud. If you have to do things, you have to do things, and you work with the Pakistani government.”

Since Obama took office, U.S. foreign policy toward Pakistan has deviated little from that of the Bush administration, with Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta hailing the former administration's strategy of using unmanned aerial vehicles to strike at al Qaeda and Taliban bases within Pakistan and Obama ordering the expansion of airstrikes to include the organization of Baitullah Mehsud, the militant chief reportedly behind the 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto, as priority targets. In response to a ceasefire agreement between Islamabad and the Pakistani Taliban establishing sharia law in the Swat Valley of Pakistan, the Obama administration has adopted a "wait and watch" policy, with Admiral Mike Mullen stating a "continued need" for intercommunication and cross-cultural understanding between the U.S. and Pakistan.

While Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi praised the Obama administration as "really willing to listen to us" during three-party talks with Afghan and American officials in February concerning the war on terrorism, the Pakistani government also adopted a new proposal asking the U.S. to turn over aerial attack drones to Islamabad to allow the Pakistani Air Force to continue the "successful" anti-militant airstrikes in the North-West Frontier Province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas on the Afghan border. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs declined to comment on the request.

On February 27, 2009, President Obama gave an interview to Jim Lehrer in which he said, "Obviously, we haven't been thinking regionally, recognizing that Afghanistan is actually an Afghanistan/Pakistan problem."

Caribbean and Latin America

Cuba

See also: United States embargo against Cuba

Further information: [[:Cuba–United States relations]]

During his presidential campaign in 2008, then-Senator Barack Obama asserted that his policy toward Cuba would be based on "libertad", promising that as President of the United States, he would push the Cuban government to embrace democratic reforms and free political prisoners. After his election, former Cuban President Fidel Castro said he was "open" to the idea of meeting with the president-elect.

After Obama announced the closure of the Guantánamo Bay detention camp shortly after his inauguration, Cuban President Raúl Castro said Havana would continue to push for the U.S. to "liquidate" the entire Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and return the land to Cuba. He was joined by his vehement brother Fidel, who abandoned his magnanimity toward the new U.S. president and demanded that the base be retroceded to Cuba.

While the United States House of Representatives passed legislation, backed by Obama, to ease certain travel and cash transactions imposed against Cuba by the U.S., on February 25, 2009, the president continues to oppose lifting the embargo against Cuba. Obama professes to view the embargo as a useful tool for leverage on pushing for reform in Cuba. Obama's stance has met criticism from both Fidel Castro and members of the U.S. government, including ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Richard Lugar. A panel with the Washington-based Brookings Institute released a report in late February 2009 urging Obama to normalize relations with Cuba.

Brazil

Further information: [[:Brazil–United States relations]]

On November 7, 2008, three days after the election of Barack Obama, Al Jazeera English ran a feature story on the excitement and inspiration the election of the United States' first African American president was generating in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, which has never elected a black president despite having a sizable black and mulatto population. "For the black community here, it represents advancement for us as well - and makes us think seriously of the possibility in Brazil of having a black president," the article quoted an Afro-Brazilian woman as saying.

After the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which contained a "Buy American" clause, was made U.S. law with the strong support of President Obama, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim warned that his country could mount a legal challenge to U.S. economic protectionism, which has become an issue due to the late 2000s recession and which Brazil ardently opposes, at the World Trade Organization.

President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was the first Latin American leader to meet with President Obama, participating in a joint press conference in the Oval Office and discussing energy policy with the American chief executive.

Venezuela

Further information: [[:United States–Venezuela relations]]

While Barack Obama set a conciliatory tone for his relations with Venezuela during his candidacy, saying he would be willing to meet with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez without preconditions at a July 23, 2007, presidential debate, the Venezuelan leader has been fickle in his opinion of Obama. Even during the election he varied from liking Obama to saying that nothing would change with the US.

On February 15, 2009, Chávez said, "Any day is propitious for talking with President Barack Obama," but said later that month that he "couldn't care less" about meeting the new U.S. president ahead of an impending confrontation between the two leaders at the Summit of the Americas in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, in mid-April.

Chávez derided Obama as "a continuation of the Bush era" after a U.S. report on narcotics trafficking was released in late February 2009. "Don't mess with me, Mr. Obama," warned Chávez, who has been president of Venezuela since 1999.

However as recently as the first week of March Chavez called upon US President Barack Obama to follow the path to socialism, which he termed as the "only" way out of the global recession. "Come with us, align yourself, come with us on the road to socialism. This is the only path. Imagine a socialist revolution in the United States," Chavez told a group of workers in the southern Venezuelan state of Bolivar. He said that people were calling Obama a "socialist" for the measures of state intervention he is taking to counter the crisis, so it would not be too far-fetched to suggest that he might join the project of "21st century socialism" that the Venezuelan leader is heading.

Europe

United Kingdom

See also: Special relationship

Further information: [[:United Kingdom–United States relations]]

Under the George W. Bush administration, the United States enjoyed a "special relationship" with the United Kingdom, particularly during the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair. Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States in the midst of a global recession, which continues to deeply affect both countries.

Questions have arisen, especially in London, over Obama's intentions regarding the future of the "special relationship" between the U.S. and its former colonial administrator. Comments made by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on February 21, 2009, attracted scrutiny due to Gibbs's use of the phrase "special partnership" in favor of the traditional "special relationship", which some analysts and officials took as an indication that Obama will approach relations with the U.K. in a more businesslike, less personal way.

U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown became the first European leader to meet with President Obama on March 3, 2009, and he addressed a joint session of Congress the following day. During his visit to the Obama White House, he presented the president a gift of a pen holder carved from the timbers of HMS Gannet, which served anti-slavery missions off the coast of Africa. Obama's gift to the prime minister was a box of 25 DVDs with movies including Star Wars and E.T. The wife of the prime minster, Sarah Brown, gave Sasha and Malia Obama two dresses from a British clothing line name Topshop and a few unpublished books that have not reached the United States. Michelle Obama gave the sons of the prime minister two Marine One helicopter toys.

On March 1, 2009, Brown addressed the topic of joint Anglo-American leadership to combat the recession in a column for The Sunday Times. In the column, he said that he and Obama would discuss "a global new deal" that would encourage unified action by various national governments to fight off the effects of the economic crisis, including international cooperation to institute standard regulation and reform of problematic industries, such as financial corporations.

Obama is slated to meet personally with Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in April 2009, a rarity for a U.S. president. Such meetings are typically conducted in the process of a state visit, but the meeting between Obama and the queen will not be, according to media reports.

Switzerland

See also: UBS AG § U.S. tax fraud controversy

Further information: [[:Switzerland–United States relations]]

The Obama administration's foreign policy toward Switzerland was characterized in a March 2009 editorial for The Guardian as "increasingly hostile". Indeed, shortly after Obama's election in November 2008, the then-president-elect reportedly developed plans with key economic advisers to push for a crackdown on tax havens in early 2009, and as a senator, Obama co-sponsored the Stop Tax Havens Act of 2007, which identified Switzerland as among 34 "Offshore Secrecy Jurisdictions" warranting strengthened powers of investigation and summons for the IRS, which Obama reportedly wants reintroduced and passed by the 111th United States Congress.

On February 19, 2009, the United States government filed a lawsuit against UBS AG, a major Swiss bank, demanding it release the names of almost 52,000 Americans who allegedly used its secret accounts to avoid paying taxes on their income. In the matter of U.S. v. UBS AG (2009), the Switzerland-based bank stands accused by U.S. authorities of "conspiring to defraud the U.S. by helping Americans hide accounts from the IRS". In response to the U.S. suit, the conservative Swiss People's Party proposed a number of punitive measures for Bern to inflict on the United States, including rejection of Guantánamo Bay detainees and repatriation of Swiss gold from the U.S.

On February 28, 2009, Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz suggested that Switzerland might need to "make a few concessions" on matters of bank secrecy in light of the financial crisis in order to avoid being sanctioned as "an uncooperative tax haven".

United States Attorney General Eric Holder, who as a former attorney for UBS AG has recused himself from the bank's investigation, met with his Swiss counterpart, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, on March 2, 2009. Widmer-Schlumpf earlier met with Acting Deputy Attorney General David Margolis to discuss "international finance issues", according to the United States Department of Justice. Writing ahead of the meetings, former United States Ambassador to Switzerland Faith Whittlesey cautioned the Obama administration against taking too aggressive an approach with a government she characterized as "stable, responsible...[and] reliable", warning that a deterioration of relations with Switzerland could lead to deeper economic turmoil. Widmer-Schlumpf later said that Margolis and Holder "expressed their willingness to negotiate with Switzerland, to discuss with us, and especially in the UBS case, Mr. Margolis said that he was not interested in having an escalation".

The Obama administration scored a diplomatic victory when Swiss President Merz announced that Switzerland would change its policy and henceforth cooperate with foreign bodies on matters of international tax evasion, thus paving the way for the names of the 50,000 U.S. citizens allegedly shielding earnings from taxation using Swiss accounts to be released to authorities in Washington.

Russia

Further information: [[:Russia–United States relations]]

In a speech on February 7, 2009, Vice President of the United States Joe Biden discussed a shift in U.S. policy towards Russia towards "co-operation and consultation" while National Security Advisor James L. Jones stated that U.S. foreign policy is undergoing "major policy reviews" and that "plans to put parts of the Pentagon's missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic – a project that Moscow says could trigger a new arms race – were being put on ice and that talks on the shield would be broadened." Biden also stated that the "last few years have seen a dangerous drift in relations between Russia and our [NATO] alliance. It's time to press the reset button and to revisit the many areas where we can and should work together.".

Prior to this meeting the Russian government suspended its plan to place missiles on the Polish border near Kaliningrad in response to White House assurances that the Obama administration was reviewing the Bush administration's plans to deploy a missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Biden rejected the idea of a Russian "sphere of influence" during his speech, stating, "We will not agree with Russia on everything," and said, "For example, the United States will not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states" nor will we "recognize a sphere of influence. It will remain our view that sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances."

During his election campaign, Obama had stated that he intended to "work with Russia to take U.S. and Russian ballistic missiles off hair trigger alert [and] seek dramatic reductions in U.S. and Russian stockpiles of nuclear weapons and material." In February 2009, The Daily Telegraph reported that former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger had been in negotiation with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on behalf of the Obama administration. Kissinger had reportedly been discussing reducing nuclear inventories to 1,000 warheads on each side, as part of a deal to replace the expiring START I arms limitation treaty.

Kosovo

See also: International recognition of Kosovo

Further information: [[:Kosovo–United States relations]]

The United States is continuing its policy of recognition of the Republic of Kosovo under the Obama administration. According to The Sofia Echo, in late February 2009, the Pristina daily newspaper Koha Ditore reported that Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, and Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni were personally assured by United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton that the Obama administration would lobby internationally to expand diplomatic recognition of Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has been recognized by 56 countries as of March 2009.

Middle East

Main article: Middle East

Further information: [[:Arab-Israeli peace process]]

After his inauguration the Obama administration was confronted with addressing on-going conflicts in Iraq, Israel-Gaza, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Other foreign policy issues related to the Middle East included combating terrorism, and promoting development and democracy. Obama appointed several Special Envoys including a Special Envoy for Middle East peace (George Mitchell) and a Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan (Richard C. Holbrooke). Following the example of the United States several other European nations appointed special envoys to Afghanistan and Pakistan including Germany who appointed Bernd Mützelburg and the United Kingdom who selected Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles as its special envoy to the two countries.

Israel

Further information: [[:Israel–United States relations]]

Before and after the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States, some Jews, including United States Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, questioned Obama's commitment to Israeli security. Obama maintained that he supports Israel and said he would continue the U.S. alliance with Israel as president. The Democratic candidate ultimately carried the state of Florida, with its large Jewish population, in the general election, signaling that his efforts to assuage the concerns of Israeli partisans had been at least moderately successful.

In January 2009, then-President-elect Obama expressed "concern" over heavy fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, but said he would leave it to the outgoing Bush administration to express the official U.S. position on the conflict. Obama was criticized by voices on both the left and the right for his reticence to speak out about the Gazan conflict.

In March 2009, Obama appointee and ally Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled as Secretary of State to Israel. She warned that Israeli settlements and demolition of Arab homes in East Jerusalem were "unhelpful" to the peace process. Clinton also voiced support for the establishment of a Palestinian state—a solution supported by Israeli Foreign Minister and opposition leader-to-be Tzipi Livni, but not endorsed by Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom she had earlier pledged the United States' cooperation.

Iraq

Main article: Iraq

See also: Iraq War

Further information: [[:Iraq–United States relations]]

On February 27, 2009, at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, President Obama announced a deadline for the withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq. According to the president, by August 31, 2010, after nearly seven and a half years of United States military engagement in Iraq, all but a "transitional force" of 35,000 to 50,000 troops will be withdrawn from the Middle Eastern nation. Obama defined the task of the transitional force as "training, equipping, and advising Iraqi Security Forces as long as they remain non-sectarian; conducting targeted counter-terrorism missions; and protecting our ongoing civilian and military efforts within Iraq". Obama will bring US Troops home One Year before the term of signed agreement by former President George W. Bush and Iraq's Prime minster Nouri al-Maliki; which stated all US troops would leave Iraq by the end of 2011..

The same day, Obama also named Christopher R. Hill as the incoming U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, replacing George W. Bush appointee Ryan Crocker after nearly two years.

Syria

Further information: [[:Syria–United States relations]]

Although the U.S. recalled its ambassador to Syria in 2005, according to United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Obama administration is reconsidering its relations with the country, which the George W. Bush administration repeatedly accused of sponsoring terrorism during its eight-year tenure. On March 3, 2009, Clinton said the U.S. would "soon" dispatch two envoys to Syria to feel out the situation.

Gaza

Main article: Gaza

See also: 2008-2009 Israeli-Gaza Conflict

In February 2, 2009, President Obama signed a memorandum "directing more than $20 million for 'urgent refugee and migration needs" in Gaza." The 2008-2009 Israeli-Gaza Conflict last from December 27, 2008 to January 18, 2009 when unilateral cease-fires were issued by both the Israeli government and Hamas. This cease-fire was shortly lived and sporadic fighting and attacks would continue to occur into the Obama administration. Israel completed its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip on January 21, 2009, one day after Obama was sworn in as President.

President Obama sent Special Envoy for Middle East peace George Mitchell on a 8-day tour of the Middle East starting on January 26, 2009 in which Mitchell met with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Israeli army chief of staff Lt. General Gabi Ashkenaz to discuss the peace process along with other with stops in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, France and Britain where he met with various leaders.

Special Envoy for Middle East peace George Mitchell after holding talks in Ramallah with Palestinian President Abbas who is leader of Fatah which is at odds with Hamas, stated "To be successful in preventing the illicit traffic of arms into Gaza there must be a mechanism to allow the flow of legal goods, and that should be with the participation of the Palestinian Authority." Obama has also stated that "lasting peace requires more than a long cease-fire, and that's why I will sustain an active commitment to seek two states living side by side in peace and security."

Iran

Main article: Iran

Further information: [[:Iran–United States relations]]

Vice President Biden, in a speech given on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the 2009 Munich Conference outlined U.S. foreign policy towards Iran by saying that the U.S. is "willing to talk to Iran, and to offer a very clear choice: continue down your current course and there will be pressure and isolation; abandon your illicit nuclear program and support for terrorism and there will be meaningful incentives." He also referred to the Iranian people as "a great people" and the said that the "Persian civilization is a great civilization. But Iran has acted in ways that are not conducive to peace in the region or to the prosperity of its people; its illicit nuclear program is but one manifestation."

On February 7, 2009, while attending the Munich Conference, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani is reported by the Tehran Times as saying “The West should understand that the Iranian people are not a second grade nation,”

On February 8, 2009, one day after Vice President Biden's speech at the Munich Conference, Larijani said "We are ready to talk without pre-conditions. But for that, we need a real starting point," and said "If the Americans are really willing to resolve the problems, then they must present their concept." Larijani also provided a list of Iranian grievances against the United States including a United States backed Coup d'etat in 1953, a decision to freeze Iranian assets following the 1979 Iranian revolution, support for Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war in 1980-1988 referring to these as "the burnt bridges between Iran and America." He also referred to Obama's decision to send an envoy to the Middle East to "listen to people and not to dictate" as a "positive signal."

When asked, on February 9, 2009, whether Iran was open to direct discussion of its nuclear program with the United States, Speaker Larijani stated that "It depends on the circumstances and the benefits of having that conversation," and "We don't want to be taken advantage of. But we're not against constructive dialogue." Larijani also stated that "This is an exceptional opportunity for the Americans" adding that if the United States eased embargoes against Iran, it would be considered a positive step even though he believed "the window of opportunity is the narrowest possible, they could change their strategy."

President Obama, reaffirmed on February 9, 2009 that the United States was reviewing its policy towards Iran and that the administration was also looking for opportunities for "face to face" talks with Iran while Larijani called on the United States, on February 9, 2009, to present a clear proposal to Iran and stated that Iran doesn't "negotiate for the sake of negotiating" but would instead negotiate to reach a "definitive solution." He also said that Iran would need to believe that there was a "firm decision to solve the problems of the region" and that the United States was seeking a "strategic" and not a "tactical" change in its policy.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, on February 10, 2009, stated that Iran was open to direct talks with the United States going so far as to say "The Iranian nation is prepared to talk. However, these talks should be held in a fair atmosphere in which there is mutual respect." On February 11, 2009, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said "If the American administration wants to keep up with the changes, this will be happy news" while Hassan Qashqavi, of the Foreign Ministry, said that Iran was "inclined to logic, talks and consideration" and that "We do not wish that Mr Obama misses the opportunity with us if he really is after bringing about serious changes in his policies," he said. "That is why we would not pre-empt him and make no prejudgement in this connection."

On March 1, 2009, Admiral Mike Mullen, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that U.S. officials believe Iran possesses enough highly enriched uranium to produce a nuclear weapon. He characterized the effect that Iran's nuclear armament would have on the region and world as "very, very bad". Defense Secretary Robert Gates contradicted Mullen, however, saying, "They're not close to having a stockpile, they're not close to having a weapon at this point, and so there is some time" to attempt to avoid that outcome.

On March 5, 2008, Secretary Clinton attended the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels. At this meeting, Clinton proposed including Iran at a conference on Afghanistan. Clinton said the proposed conference could be held on March 31 in the Netherlands.

The 2009 Iranian presidential election will be held on June 12, 2009. Candidates include incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former President Mohammad Khatami and a former Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mehdi Karroubi. There are reports that the upcoming election has influenced deliberations about the "timing for potential Iran Talks."

Other issues

Climate change

On January 27, 2009, Secretary of State Clinton appointed Todd Stern as the department's Special Envoy for Climate Change. Clinton said that, "With the appointment today of a special envoy we are sending an unequivocal message that the United States will be energetic, focused, strategic and serious about addressing global climate change and the corollary issue of clean energy." Stern, who had coordinated climate change policy in the late 1990s under the Bill Clinton administration, said that "The time for denial, delay and dispute is over.... We can only meet the climate challenge with a response that is genuinely global. We will need to engage in vigorous, dramatic diplomacy."

In February 2009, Stern said that the U.S. would take a lead role in the formulation of a new climate change treaty in Copenhagen in December 2009. He made no indication that the U.S. would ratify the Kyoto Protocol in the meantime.