New President - New American Foreign Policy?

by MichaelY - iawm Wed Nov 26, 2008 13:58

With a change in the White House, will there be a change in US foreign policy?

Five and a half years from the invasion of Iraq, seven from Afghanistan - which now incorporates a participation of Irish Army officers, and with a threat of attack on Iran, the ‘war on terror’ is purposeless and an even greater human tragedy.

Over 700,000 people have been killed and close to 1.5 million seriously injured in the region since the US and Coalition attacks.

In the midst of a major economic recession, the war in Iraq alone is costing the US taxpoayer €300 million a day.

Will Obama stop this obscenity or will he just shift troops to Afghanistan and Iran?

by Raymond Wed Nov 26, 2008 15:29

Though it's very early days, if the old saying "you can judge a person by the company they keep" is true, then things do not appear to be shaping up well as far as the prospects for real changes (of substance) under Mr Obama are concerned. See report at http://www.nolanchart.com/article5437.html

Mr Obama can certainly "talk the talk" regarding "change", "the need for change", and so on.

Can he "walk the walk, and walk the talk" though? - these are the crucial question which only time can now answer in any kind of definite way.

Related link: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Will+Obama+change+...f&oq=  

by Me mysely Wed Nov 26, 2008 21:11

Obama, will bring a more focused approach, to American policy. There will be a move away from Iraq, an increase in Afghanistan, and a stronger approach to Pakistan as well. All in all, it will be welcome. One area that I would have concern with him, is that he is not going to be tough enough on Iran.

by redjade Thu Nov 27, 2008 12:56

People need to remember what Chomsky said during the election:

'I would suggest voting against McCain, which means voting for Obama without illusions.'

To say nothing can change with Obama - or even more absurdly, that there was no difference between McCain and Obama is to ignore the pile of one million dead iraqis that have accumulated in the last 8 years.

by redjade Fri Nov 28, 2008 23:50

Obama has tapped Samantha Power to help the incoming Obama administration to prepare for Clinton's appointment as Secretary of State.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/28/172441/95/115/...54827

more info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_Power

Caption: Video Id: p7l9yDbDNXM Type: Youtube Video
Embedded video Youtube Video

by MichaelY - iawm Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:13

There was an excellent presentation the evening before last by ACLU's Legal Officer Steven Shapiro on the current state of the US Legal System, the Supreme Court and the likely changes the incoming Obama Administration may bring to the system.
Organised by FLAC, with the support of the ICCL, over 300 people attended the meeting.
The debate about Obama closing Guantanamo down, the future of the 250 prisoners there, the possibility of the US State introducing what it calls 'indefinite administrative detention' [see internment] were aired by the speaker and responded to by the audience.
As expected, total absence of the Left contingents - they have made their mind up on these issues - have they not?
All Indymedia regulars who want to continue to debate and get further information of what's going on in the US are welcome to attend next Monday's meeting. The first in a series the iawm is planning to organise across the 32 Counties.

by MichaelY - iawm Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:59

All Indymedia reguilars who have views about the politics Obama is likely to bring into US foreign policy or simply want to take part in a discussion about the issue are very welcome to join us tonight in Wynns Hotel 19.30.
Details of speakers above