As we move toward the Election Day, President Bush’s foreign policy has received increasing scrutiny. It’s often depicted by opponents as a failure.
This is largely because of the failure to get weapons of mass destruction, a major reason for going to war against Iraq, and the emergence of an insurrection in Iraq fueled by ethnic nationalism and pockets of terrorists operating in the country. Adding credence to this position also is the failure to capture Bin Laden, failure to destroy the Al-Qaeda terrorist network and the reluctance of the international community to contribute troops to bolster the efforts of American troops on the warfront.
Indeed, traditional allies such as France have not only refused to help, but have vigorously campaigned against the involvement of NATO and U.N. support in these war missions.
Capitalizing on the foregoing developments, the president’s opponents have systematically managed to portray him as a person who lacks the proper grasp of foreign policy, a war adventurer and an antagonist who has isolated the country from its allies. They further accuse him of draining the economy through his military expeditions.
However, a close looks at the President’s foreign policies show that he has led a very successfully foreign policy which unfortunately has been clouded by the unpredictable crisis in Iraq.
U.S. forces successfully toppled the notorious pro-Al-Qaeda Taliban regime in Afghanistan and installed a more open and pro- democracy regime.
However, although the country is experiencing incursions by the weakened Taliban remnants, Afghanistan is largely stable and has held democratic elections that have inspired the world. The country would have great democratic institutions that would propel the country to prosperity soon. Moreover, this move has disorganized the international terrorist network, particularly rendering Al-Qaeda barely alive.
His nonsense approach to foreign policy has pushed Israel to declare a unilateral pullout from the Gaza strip; Sudan has made peace with its longstanding foe, the SPLA (Sudan Peoples Liberation Army) and the declaration of the Darfur crisis as genocide has sent a tough message to Sudan that USA will not fold its arms on the issue.
Somalia, which has remained stateless for a long time, has inaugurated its transitional government. Charles Taylor, a notorious dictator who ruled Liberia with an iron fist, relinquished power. And former Haiti President Aristite Baristite surrendered power after he failed to stabilize the country.
All these hot spots in the world are now experiencing or have hope for peace in the future, a credit to President Bush’s resolute foreign approach.
It is also important to note that President Bush has garnered a formidable coalition force such as Britain, Italy, Japan and Germany in the war in Iraq contrary to the believe of many people here at home.
Further, although dogged by many obstacles, the war in Iraq seems to be headed in the right direction — as evidenced in the handing-over of power to the Iraqis on schedule, and the peace agreement with Al Sadr, who is leading the most organized and powerful militia in Iraq today.
Besides, the renouncing of a plan to produce weapons of mass destruction by Muhammar Guaddafi, the leader of Libya, seems to be a result of the impact of the Iraq war, consequently signifying that anti-U.S. forces in the region may in the long-run give up.
Indeed, President Bush has had a very successful foreign policy regime, although overshadowed by the war in Iraq.
He has maintained the standing of the USA as a powerful country that protects democracy in the world, in spite of terrorists’ threats that have engaged him throughout his reign.
