Barack Obama – A year on

‘Yes, we can,’ Americans were heard shouting the slogan to welcome the leader who gave them a chance to look at the world with more optimism.

Kamna Arora

‘Yes, we can,’ enthusiastic Americans were heard shouting the slogan to welcome the leader who gave them a chance to look at the world with more optimism. In January 2009, the supporters braved the winter chill to welcome the country’s first African-American President. Undoubtedly, Barack Obama’s charisma dominated the world in 2009. His speeches, whether made in Cairo or in Prague, were not only cheered by huge crowds, but also welcomed by the US’ traditional adversaries. The magic of Obamamania was so overwhelming that the US President was even awarded with a Nobel Prize. However, Nobel laureate Obama has never had the luxury to rest on his laurels. If Obama has announced the withdrawal of forces from Iraq, he has made a decision to send more troops to Afghanistan. If he has tried to halt Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Israel`s government has approved more constructions. Albeit Iran and Cuba had welcomed Obama in 2009, yet their expectations from his presidency seem to have waned by 2010. North Korea’s stance can be welcomed as the country has acknowledged the need to have nuclear talks and sought to have a peace treaty with South Korea, all thanks to US’ efforts. The US’ on-and-off relationship with Pakistan continues under Obama. Notably, the US President has not changed the drone policy of his predecessor, George W Bush, and continued to target the Taliban safe havens. In a bid to ensure that the US’ funds are used for development efforts only, Mr President has linked aid to deliverables. Hence, the conditions set by Kerry-Lugar Bill, which triples non-military aid to Pakistan to USD 1.5 billion per annum, have widened the distrust between the country’s military and the civilian government. The US and Russia have announced to ‘reset’ Cold War ties, but have not forged a new arms control treaty as yet. Obama’s ties with Japan are under pressure as the two sides are struggling to conclude the US base deal. No doubt, Obama has made all efforts to improve ties with China. In fact, he is keener on China than his predecessor, George W Bush, but his ‘fight for democracy’ image was hurt in the process when he declined to meet the Dalai Lama. China is such a significant name in Obama’s foreign policy that he could not forego Beijing, but New Delhi, during his visit to Asian countries. However, he tried to balance out things with India by hosting the first US State Dinner of his presidency for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. However, nothing substantial has been done on Obama’s part to strengthen India-US ties, as was the case with Bush. As far as Guantanamo Bay is concerned, Obama has already admitted that the US will miss the January 2010 deadline he had set for closing the prison. Notably, the Gitmo closure had become symbolic of Obama and the policies that he was likely to introduce, during his presidential campaign. This was especially true in case of the Muslim world, and therefore non-deliverance has come as a bit of let down. Hence, it drives home the point about Obama realising practical difficulties in implementation of promises he made during his campaign. Adding to his woes is the concept of homegrown terrorism. US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan gunned down his fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, sending shockwaves across the US. And FBI agents in New York arrested Najibullah Zazi and his father on charges of planning a terror attack in the United States. Zazi’s two associates have also been arrested of late. Meanwhile, Pakistani-American jihadist David Coleman Headley, who is at the centre of a global terrorism investigation for his alleged role in Mumbai terror attacks, was held in Chicago. His aide, Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who faces US charges in the terror plot against a Danish newspaper, has described himself as a Pakistan Army deserter. And the recent horrific episodes of US intelligence failure in preventing an attack on a CIA Afghan base and systemic failure on the foiled December 25 attack have surely made Obama’s life even more difficult. Al Qaeda has made its presence felt. And the President has announced, or to say admitted, that the US is at war with al Qaeda. Thanks to George W Bush and the complex geopolitical situations, Obama inherited tough situations in his international inbox. The list is daunting. And then there is his policy on universal healthcare, which has been the most cherished goal of Democrats for close to a century. Healthcare reform is Obama`s top legislative priority. The US President is struggling to get the bill signed into law. And according to a recent survey, the bill is deeply unpopular with most American voters. If the resentment continues, the Democrats may have to suffer a lot in the November mid-term Congressional elections. In the meantime, Obama’s decision to throw his administration’s weight behind the financial giants at Wall Street drew flak from different corners. The Obama administration had set up an over USD 700 billion financial rescue fund to help ailing companies come out of the largest financial crisis since the World War II. All major banks such as Citigroup, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and Morgan Stanley got billions of bailout fund from the administration. However, when these bankers returned to fat bonuses even as the real economy was fighting the slowdown, the President opened a scathing attack against them. “I did not run for office to be helping out a bunch of fat cat bankers on Wall Street,” he said in December. The bankers make relatively modest base salaries and receive most of their compensation in the form of bonuses. The average bonuses will be around USD 500,000 to 595,000 at Goldman Sachs, and USD 463,000 at JP Morgan Chase – but some will make far more. Now the administration is planning to tax the bonuses in an effort to control the fat payout as well as raise money for the government. It cannot be argued that the US’ image around the world has changed significantly under the presidency of Obama. But his policies are not very different from that of Bush. However, it is still too early to adjudge him. It is easier to forge a new policy and follow it, but very difficult to reverse the earlier policies and create situations where new strategies could be employed. Obama needs to do that. The year of his inauguration (2009) saw him being welcomed, but 2010 will be more judgemental in nature. Obama’s promises and goals will come under fire this year. As far as Americans are concerned, they would like to see tangible results emerging out of Obama’s policies, whether domestic or international. His one-year of presidency has not been smooth, but the road to future years looks even rockier. Best wishes to the world’s strongest leader!