Emphases of Clintons Foreign Policy and Key Events - Case Study Example

Topic: Emphases of Clinton’s Foreign Policy and Key Events Name Course Institution Date Introduction The American foreign policy attracts intense scholarly attention as an effective tool for analyzing geopolitical interests, solving international conflicts and enhancing global trade. Consequently, with ensuing international conflicts and efforts by successive U.S governments to influence global political and economic fronts, analysts and scholars rely on the American foreign policy trends to infer geopolitical positioning. Given that the president of the United States negotiates treaties with foreign nations subject to advice from the U.S. Senate, it is imperative that the American foreign policy depends not only on the domestic and foreign situations but also reflects the political and economic ideology of the incumbent. For instance, Clinton’s foreign policy reflected American efforts towards solving challenges related to protectionist international trade, terrorism, climate change and nuclear proliferation. This paper critically examines the main emphasis of the American foreign policy under former president Bill Clinton. Further, the paper identifies and discuses the key events that reflected these emphasis. The American foreign policy refers to the policy which defines how the U.S. interacts with foreign countries, organizations and individual citizens. According to Jentleson (2010) the American foreign policy is a powerful tool that influences global politics and economic order. Specifically, the American foreign policy aims at creating democratic, secure and prosperous world not only for the benefit of the American people but also for the international community. Through the U.S. foreign policy, Americans are able to control international trade and commerce as well as engage in geopolitical issues. However, American foreign policy changes with circumstances and situations. This paper critically examines the main emphasis of the American foreign policy under Bill Clinton and identifies key events that reflect these emphases. In particular, the paper examines the American foreign policy under the Clinton’s administration. Emphasis on economics and international commerce Even at a time of increased threat from terrorist groups and international conflicts, analysts argue that foreign policy could not neglect the global economy. Consequently, the close connection between economics and international issues shaped Clintons foreign policy. Hook (2010) agrees that the American foreign policy under President Bill Clinton emphasized on international trade and commerce. This argument reflects the position that international economic security is one of the most important issues that influence domestic economic growth and stability. Clinton became president during the rise of the economic complex with the U.S. giving greater priority to international economic issues. This was a departure from traditional foreign policy which focused more on national and regional security goals. For instance, analysts argue that the U.S. foreign policy was vital in negotiating important trade agreements. The Clinton administration used foreign policy to facilitate these economic and commercial interests. During the first term presidential campaigns, Clinton expressed determination to use foreign policy to create and expand markets for American products. Similarly, the treasury’s international focus was strengthened by its domestic policy base (Smith and Richard 1995). Clinton constituted the National Economic Council to guide international economic policy formulation on one hand, and create a link to domestic economy on the other hand. Moreover NEC played an important role in policy coordination. Policy coordination was important in opening the Japanese market through balanced bilateral deals. The international economic policy was important and strengthened domestic economy. As a military superpower, Clinton focused on ending unilateralism as one of the strategies for responding to international market forces. This argument coincides with the position that aggressive actions are necessary to open protectionist international markets. During his tenure, the U.S. signed over 70 trade liberalization pacts (Patterson, 2003). In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was established between the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Analysts maintain that NAFTA was one of the most ambitious policies of the Clinton administration. NAFTA has spurred economic growth in North America and accelerated domestic economic performance. Emphasis on counterterrorism; national and international security National security issues characterized Clinton’s second term. With the end of the Second World War, national security priorities changed with greater focus on the stability of foreign markets. International terrorism has long been recognized as a foreign and domestic security threat. It is against this view that Clinton’s administration emphasized on counterterrorism. To achieve this, the Clinton administration focused on improving intelligence gathering and helping foreign countries develop capacity to counter terrorist activities. Generally, Clinton’s administration focused on deterring and punishing state sponsors while also responding to terrorist groups. Analysts argue that the Clinton administration used foreign policy to counter ideological causes of terrorism. Various approaches and tools were integrated into the national foreign policy framework including international cooperation, diplomacy, economic sanctions, military force and physical security enhancement. During Clinton’s administration, the search for Osama and other terrorist organizations were identified such as the Hezbollah and Hamas. The counterterrorism policy was articulated through foreign relations. This was also reflected in U.S. operations in Afghanistan and Philippines as well as military deployment in Yemen and Georgia. Apart from terrorism, the U.S. military under Clintons command intervened in conflict areas across the globe from Haiti, Cuba, Northern Ireland and Vietnam. The military intervention reflected the American policy focused on creating stable and secure business conditions (Meernik, 1996). Emphasis on preventing nuclear proliferation Nuclear proliferation remained a critical concern globally during Clinton’s tenure. The Clinton administration declared nuclear weapons as the most significant potential threat to global stability and security. By the end of the cold war and subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union, efforts to prevent testing of nuclear weapons intensified. In this regard, the Clinton administration focused on improving offensive capabilities and efforts towards retention of weapons of mass destruction. In 1996, the U.S. signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The CTBT was an international landmark to contain proliferation of nuclear weapons (Walker, 1996). Although ratification was rejected by the senate, Clinton maintained that the U.S. would pursue a policy of not testing nuclear weapons. The national security strategy of the United States gradually reflected this position. For instance, in the post-Cold War period, the U.S. focused on reducing threat of nuclear weapons by employing foreign policy and negotiations. The Clinton administration particularly engaged North Korea on its nuclear weapons program. Apart fro billions of dollars given as aid, the U.S. slapped several sanctions to dissuade North Korea from pursuing nuclear armament. Other issues addressed by the Clinton administration in regard to North Korea include human rights behavior and Pyongyang’s missile programs. Analysts argue that Clinton’s administration focused on isolating North Korea both financially and diplomatically. The foreign policy was therefore an important tool for negotiating with China the major trade partner with Pyongyang. This led to the establishment of U.S. nuclear cooperation with China aimed to reduce proliferation of nuclear weapons. Of particular significance is the negotiation between Iran the U.S. and Iran during Clintons administration. In 1995, Clinton imposed a total embargo on dealings with Iran (Kurzman, 2004). This was followed shortly by Libyan sanctions which were largely designed purposely to prevent nations from investing in the Iranian energy project suspected to contribute in the nuclear program. Emphasis on exporting democracy and support for human rights There is general consensus that a democratic society is appropriate for enhancing political and economic prosperity. The Clinton foreign policy emphasized on promoting democracy abroad and reflected the liberal view that a prosperous international order could be achieved via a stable, secure and legitimate political dispensation abroad. For instance, Clinton’s administration focused on democratic politics and international institutions to articulate a composite foreign policy (Hermann and Kegley 2008). The support for democracy was based on the scholarly view that democratic societies generate reliable information about government undertakings and limit the rise of conflicts which could lead to war. The Clintons approach towards China reflected this ideology. With a growing economy, it made that China would be forced to cooperate with state players and eventually open up its markets. In this regard, American policy makers believed that democracy in China would not only influence politics, but would also shape dealings with China (Torbat, 2004). For instance, North Korean human rights records remained a large concern for the Clinton administration. With globalization and increased economic involvement with other countries, the U.S. gained greater responsibility in addressing human rights issues. During Clinton’s administration, the government’s position on violations of human rights was more visible and articulated via an integrated American foreign policy. This position coincided with the argument that promoting human rights in other countries served U.S. interests. The Clinton administration used foreign aid to articulate human rights issues (Meernik, 1996). For instance, foreign aid to new democracies was thought to be a good investment for America because such democracies would be stable and would have better human rights. Conclusion The U.S. foreign policy is a powerful tool that shapes global political and economic order. More importantly, the U.S. foreign policy influences domestic economic performance and determines geopolitical positioning. Under Clinton’s administration, the U.S. foreign policy reflected the need to foster domestic economic development and growth through international trade. Consequently, Clinton’s foreign policy focused on creating stable and reliable political and economic environment abroad. To achieve this, the Clinton administration emphasized on counterterrorism, solving international conflicts, limiting nuclear proliferation and exporting democracy. Key events reflected these emphases such as the formation of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996 to contain nuclear proliferation, establishment of trade agreements such as NAFTA and increased engagement with state actors. Other events include economic inducements, covert action, military force and international conventions as well as policy reform and diplomatic security programs. It is therefore imperative that Clinton’s administration integrated these emphases into the national foreign policy with the aim of enhancing domestic economic growth fostering international political and economic order. References Hermann, G. & Kegley, C. (2008). The U.S. Use of Military Intervention to Promote Democracy: Evaluating the Record. International Interactions 24 (2): 91–114. Hook, S. (2010). U.S. Foreign Policy: The Paradox of World Power. New York: CQ Press. Jentleson, W. (2010). American Foreign Policy: The Dynamics of Choice in the 21st Century. New York: W. W. Norton. Kurzman, C (2004). The Unthinkable Revolution in Iran, Harvard: Harvard University Press, p.157. Meernik, J. (1996). United States Military Intervention and the Promotion of Democracy. Journal of Peace Research, 33 (4): 391–402. Patterson, R. (2003). Dereliction of Duty: The Eyewitness Account of How Bill Clinton Endangered America's Long-Term National Security. Washington: Regnery Publishing. Smith, T. & Richard, L. (1995). America's Mission: The United States and the Worldwide Struggle for Democracy in the Twentieth Century. New York: Princeton University Press.   Torbat, A. (2004). A Glance at US Policies toward Iran: Past and Present", Journal of Iranian Research and Analysis, 20 (1): 85–94. Walker, M. (1996). The President We Deserve: Bill Clinton: His Rise, Falls, and Comebacks. New York: Crown Publishers. Read More