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On The Obama Administration On European Policy Adjustments

Posted on:2012-05-17Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:C TianFull Text:PDF
GTID:2216330335485457Subject:International relations
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
Barack Obama came into power under a special historical background when transatlantic relations were tremendously divergent due to the unilateral foreign policies of Bush administration. The current international situations have undergone great changes which are not in favor of the United States: the power-shifting to the East; the trend of multi-polarity; the development of globalization and the emerging of various global challenges. The United States is currently deep into two wars and one financial crisis, which can not be solved by US alone, and the United States needs to cooperate with European countries to confront those difficulties. The Obama administration has adjusted the transatlantic relations in three aspects, of which the first aspect is the US-EU relations. The Obama administration abandoned the unilateral policies of Bush administration, adopted the concept of multi-realism in its foreign policies, and demonstrated the posture of respect and cooperation toward EU. The second aspect is the transatlantic coordination within NATO framework. The Obama administration adjusted its Afghan policy, coordinated with the European standpoint in nuclear disarmament and arms control, and got close with the EU on Iran 's Nuclear ambition. The third aspect is the adjustment of policies on other issues within the transatlantic agenda. On climate change, the United States engaged in this issue positively, and cooperated with EU to promote the climate change negotiations. On anti-terrorism, the tough line of the United States was gone, and the Obama administration coordinated its policies with Europe in human right areas. On the Middle East, the Obama administration actively engaged in the Middle East, which was in accordance with the EU policy. The policy adjustment of Obama administration toward Europe improved the transatlantic relations and promoted the transatlantic coordination. But these adjustments did not change the fundamental contradiction of the transatlantic relations. Thus, there still exists uncertainties in the transatlantic relations.
Keywords/Search Tags:US Foreign Policy, Obama, Transatlantic Relations, EU
PDF Full Text Request
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