The Obama Doctrine: American Grand Strategy Today

As a student of foreign policy, I must state that this is one of the best books on the subject that I have ever read. There is enough information here to easily fill a multi-semester graduate level college class. And the timeliness of it is extraordinary, current up to late 2014. And it is written in easily understood language and style. The author sets out to explain, in a mostly non-partisan manner, the ideas behind the strategy that President Obama follows in making foreign policy decisions. I will quote the author’s own words to explain: “At the end of the day, Obama’s highest priorities are domestic, and that this have had a powerful effect on his foreign policy choices…..He has said, in his own words, that he looks to “transform this nation”, “end wars”, and focus on “nation-building right here at home””. The author states: “the purpose of Obama’s grand strategy has been to retrench America’s strategic presence overseas without undue risk to basic U.S. interests, and to encourage new patterns of international cooperation through diplomatic accommodations”. After discussing the pro’s and con’s of this strategy, Dueck concludes that Obama’s strategy has not worked as planned. The author suggests that this is because of incorrect assumptions made, a reticence to come to decisions, and an inability to “impose a serious coherence on specific…U.S. policies”. The author believes that Obama decided early on that the main focus of his presidency would be on domestic issues, and that he would try to not jeopardize this focus with controversial foreign policy issues. Dueck spends the latter part of his book on “Republican Alternatives to the Obama Doctrine”. I don’t know why he decided to single out the Republican’s, his points could easily be adopted by and crafted to either political party. He lists suggestions on how foreign policy could be better crafted. He places emphasis on a more coherent and consistent strategy, so foreign actors would be better able to predict how we will respond to issues. I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the upcoming presidential election. You will not be disappointed. I received this book as an early reviewer for NetGalley, in exchange for a fair review. The fair review was easy, as the book was so great! Anyone who follows my reviews knows that a “5 star” rating is a rare occurrence for me. I have no hesitance in giving Dueck's book 5 stars!

A consistent and fairly insightful critical treatment of the Barack Obama's disastrous foreign policy. Liberals won't like it, but what else is new? Dueck argues that Obama has prioritized his domestic agenda, and has been totally unwilling to allow foreign policy concerns to endanger that agenda. In the process, the President has allowed U.S. national security to reach a parlous state, in part for purely ideological reasons. There is also more than hint that, given his background, Obama could not possibly have been an effective foreign policy president . . . he lacked the background and experience to be effective.

The book covered a phase of successful foreign policy by Obama that prevented a larger war that was not recognized by the mainstream press.

This review is on the book “The Obama Doctrine” by Colin Dueck, that I found in my public library. This is a most interesting book. The “Doctrine,” of course, refers to foreign policy. In an unbiased style, the author sets out his very studied and detailed pro and con assessments of the President’s foreign policy, most of which seem very plausible. You can be lulled into thinking you are reading a really unbiased account. However, the conclusion is not unbiased. The conclusion is that no matter how well meaning, the President’s foreign policy is a complete failure, because of his costly domestic programs. Language on page 255 begins to make clear the purpose of the book. “. . . American conservatives . . . agree that President Obama has introduced an unnecessary regimen of higher taxes, hyperregulation, and excessive debt that in combination discourage economic growth and take the country further than ever from the distinct US traditions of limited government.” So we solve the President’s foreign policy failure by return to the distinct US traditions of limited government without costly domestic programs in order to encourage economic growth? Funny thing, our economy now is robust—more American cars are made and sold than ever; unemployment is the lowest ever; Facebook (hiring thousands) is making millions (or is it billions); and the stock market is at the highest ever. So what is the purpose of the book? In anticipation of the 2016 elections, to incite enough fear and anger as to eliminate the drain on the richest country in the world of its costly domestic programs, like social security, Medicare and Affordable Health Care? Then we can spend our money on our military to solve our foreign policy problem, all the while we are enjoying not paying taxes? Funny thing, out of 126 countries of the world, the US is Number 1 in global firepower. For example, the US has 20 aircraft carriers, 72 submarines and 62 destroyers, any one of which has the firepower of the entire US Fleet during WWII. Perhaps these warships have not been used to the best advantage to secure American interests abroad, but the warships have seen effective action against terrorists. Their presence in the Asia Pacific area has also been effective. Just how many more warships do we really need. The foreign policy failure the author describes sounds rather like President Washington’s problem with the Whiskey Tax Rebellion against the federal tax on all distilled spirits to reduce the national debt (incurred by the foreign policy of the revolutionary war). Americans don’t like taxes. Instead, they like their spirits no matter what. The conservatives, and the liberal/progressives alike, want only the best for everybody. So what is an ordinary citizen to do?

Great!

As good a book as will ever be written about the Obama administration.