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Recently, I came across a new site called Far and Wide run by Michael Anti.  I translated the following article from the site as part III of the Obama series.

‘New School’ Obama, ‘Old School’ Group of Foreign Policy Advisors

By 刁大明 （Diao Daming)

Far and Wide （纵横周刊）

(http://www.fawjournal.com/archives/2256)

Translated by Anton Lee Wishik II

“I absolutely will not abide that kind of inflexible thinking, but rather will return to the pragmatic tradition of American foreign policy.” On June 18th, riding the crest of his success, Barack Obama didn’t hold back in his praise while meeting with his newly formed group of foreign policy advisors. “The American tradition of defending and promoting the national interest is exactly what the people in this room have carried forward.” Today, they have been convened as the convoy and escort of the new hope of the Democratic party.

Generally speaking, after shifting from the primaries to the general election, the focus points in the candidates’ duel will change direction from a general form to actual policy issues. This means that Obama’s lack of experience in domestic and foreign affairs will once again be a point of attack from Republican firepower. As early as May 28th, John McCain provokingly invited Obama, who had yet to lock up his primary victory, to visit Iraq with him. “Obama has only been to Iraq once, and that was more than two years ago…This concerns leadership ability and learning ability.” This March, having just finished his eighth visit to Iraq, McCain played on the numbers sharply. This senior Senator from Arizona publicly criticized his young opponent for knowing very little of Iraqi affairs, and for speaking so lightly of an immediate troop withdrawal, which McCain feels is simply surrenderism.

Facing such fierce Republican probing of Obama’s soft spots, a team of 13 Democratic officials was organized including former diplomats, high-level military officials, and members of congress. They were entrusted with the task of effectively patching things up for Obama. However, upon peering into this team’s composition, its members are clearly filled with the characteristics and tools necessary for electoral battle. As for foreign affairs, officials with an average age of more than 65 will be charged with serving as the protective shield and quieting McCain on the ‘experience’ issue. Especially prominent are 71 year-old former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, 83 year-old former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, 81 year-old former Secretary of Defense William Perry, and 77 year-old former congressman Lee Hamilton. They all bring the dignified manner of seniority and will wash away McCain’s experience advantage. As for the group’s make-up, eight of the thirteen were officials in President Clinton’s administration. Thus, a clear message of solicitation has been seen to Hillary supporters, along with an urgent strategic intent to join forces and serve the consolidated party.

If Hillary had won the primary, the team of advisors set up by the former First Lady may have looked the same as Obama’s. The only members bearing Obama’s individual stamp are two members of African descent from the Clinton Administration: former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder and former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Susan Rice. However, on the topic of Iraq, they received the same ‘lacking experience’ criticism. Thus, they just reveal the probability that Obama’s foreign policy will stress human rights and African affairs.

On the 16th, Obama announced that some time before the general election, he would visit both Iraq and Afghanistan. In visiting the actual scene, he will receive a special ‘field research’ lesson and gain points in the electoral battle. Although there is an inescapable element of grandstanding, this visit is expected to provide the primary foundation for a well-developed Iraq policy. The problem is having promised ‘hope,’ how can Obama extend ‘change’ to his foreign policy. Recently, there has been a rumor that John Kerry, who lost to Bush four years ago, will be given the post of Secretary of State. This, unavoidably, causes people to worry about whether his ‘flip-flopping’ will tone down the hope for change. Whether to rely heavily on experienced ‘old statesmen’ or use up-and-comers with limited experience, will decide the pace of change. At the very least, from this old school group of foreign policy advisors, it can be seen that the actual amount of thorough innovation that Barack Obama can bring may be limited.

Related Posts

• What China Thinks of Obama, Part I
• Drawing Conclusions Regarding China’s View of Obama