An Analysis Of Obama 's Anti - Terrorism Strategy

The United States opened up a new epoch of counter-terrorism after911attacks.Bush Administration made anti-terrorism their first duty, placed it core statusin US global strategies, put forward the concept of war on terrorism, and launchedthe Afghan War and the Iraq War through priority in succession. With the deepeningof the war on terror it generated huge economic costs to the United States, evenanti-terrorism was in deep trouble. The "Strike First" policy and expandedanti-terrorism leaded the impairment of American international image. The worldstructure had new Characteristics. In the background Obama adjusted anti-terrorismstrategy in his first term, changed Bush’s radical attitude, abandoned the wordingof “war on terrorism”. Promulgating new anti-terrorism strategy document—“National Counter-terrorism Strategy” in order to adapt to domestic andinternational anti-terrorism situation of Home and Abroad，and according to thespecific counter-terrorism area named counter-terrorism strategy. Obama focusresources to against Afghanistan, Pakistan “al-Qaeda” group through transformingthe strategic center. In2013Obama was re-elected, confronted the terrible threatform new faces of international terrorism—“ISIS”, he announced the beginningof battle against ISIS. Obama administration’s counter-terrorism strategy hasbrought the profound influence on the United States, China and even the whole world.But no matter how the Obama administration adjust counter-terrorism strategy, itsessence is servicing for American hegemonism, facing with many strategic dilemma,anti-terrorism, still a long way for America.Across these research books aboutObama administration’s counter-terrorism strategy in China, the related works arefruitful.On this basis, this paper analyses system to discuss the Obamaadministration’s counterterrorism strategy according to integrate thesetheoretical results.This article is divided into4parts.Part I, dissect the background ofproposing counter-terrorism strategy through the analysis of domestic andinternational situation. Because Obama administration’s anti-terrorism strategy is not proposed on “zero base”, the concrete content、principle、methods of thecounter-terrorism strategy are affected by the domestic and foreign situationwhile Obama took office. In domestic respect, Bush’s anti-terrorism strategybrought United States into the war difficult situation. And the endless warincreased counter-terrorism expenditure, ballooned the financial deficit. Finallywith explosion of financial crisis, American economy cannot continue to bear thehuge costs. Facing acid domestic economic recovery, Obama chose to shrink andcentralize anti-terrorism strategy. In addition to economic costs, opposition tothe war snowballed in America which leaded to political instability. Obamaannounced that end their role in Iraq and the plan to pull out of Afghan slowlyin order to comply with the aspirations of the people. Besides, Americaninternational image was damaged by Bush Administration’ s unilateralismpre-emptive strategy anti-terrorism, while soft power was greatly diminished.Obama Administration should undertake historical commision that “reshape UnitedStates”, and restore American soft power. Bush Administration’s practice hadproved that the problem of terrorism could not be solved through hard power unlessput hard and soft power together to be smart power which play a role incounter-terrorism. Compared with the complex internal situation, theinternational situation was not good for the United States. China、India and otheremerging nations rose sharply while America was preoccupied with the war on terror.The international capability mechanism had features of power decentralization.Terrorism had new developments. Those external pressures accelerated the pace ofObama Administration’s contracting strategy against terrorism.Part II, Obama has been in power in office for six years, combing Obama’sadjustment of counter-terrorism strategy in two terms to analyze the content andcharacteristics of the strategy. Obama Administration advanced a new theory ofcounter-terrorism that put forward new guidelines for counter-terrorism inresponse to changes of domestic and international counter-terrorism situation;and constantly updated their anti-terrorism in practice; different areas ofdifferent counter-terrorism strategy in order to achieve flexibility, relevance and effectiveness;“ISIS”skyrocketed, America adjust counter-terrorism policiestimely. With its adjustment, perfect, it had its own characteristics: objectiveand rational knowledge of counter-terrorism; anti-terrorism center shift frominternational to domestic terrorism; diversification of anti-terrorism methods;making much count of multilateral cooperation against terrorism.Part III, to analyze the effects of the strategy. Obama administration’scounter-terrorism strategy had been implemented for six years, and it brought aprofound influence to the United States, the international community and China.First of all, thanks to the contraction of Obama administration’ scounter-terrorism, which improved American international image and releaseddomestic political and economic pressure, even provided energy security foreconomic recovery indirectly. Secondly, Obama administration’s counter-terrorismpromoted international cooperation against terrorism to deepen, which also madethe increases of the international community power’s interaction. Thirdly, Afghan,Pakistan as the main battlefield for the counter-terrorism brought influence inits region. The security and stability of South Asia suffered, the changes in theMiddle East had intensified. Although Central Asia was not center area, but alsowas accelerated the instability with the adjustment of Obama administration’scounter-terrorism strategy. Finally, for China, it not only affected Sino-USrelations, but also had a profound influence on Chinese strategic environment.Part IV, to comment Obama’s counter-terrorism strategy. First of all, throughcomparing Obama administration with Bush administration’s counter-terrorism, itwas easy to find that the essence of the strategy did not change even though Obamamade many adjustments, so inheritance was greater than the change. Secondly,pointed out the essence of the strategy which strategic goal was to defend Americanhegemony as well as its geopolitical interests. In addition, it summed up the gainsand losses of Obama administration’s counter-terrorism strategy. Affirmed itsachievements, just like “Al-Qaeda” was struck by heavy blows, and Americanhomeland security was guaranteed effectively. Obama organized internationalanti-terrorism cooperation which inspired international community’ s counter-terrorism needs. Using the theory of international relations that is fromthe perspective of constructivism analysis the difficulties of Obamaadministration’s counter-terrorism strategy: double standards undermined theeffectiveness of the fight against terrorism; different national perceptions ofthe terrorist threat; there were still many structural barriers in internationalcooperation against terrorism. Finally, making outlook for Obama administration’s counter-terrorism strategy. According to the changes of “ISIS”, Obamaadministration would increase the use of military force in the future. Howeveroverall, Obama administration was weak on terror, would not change existingstrategies to combat terrorism.