Book contents
- In the Shadow of the Cold War
- Cambridge Essential Histories
- In the Shadow of the Cold War
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- 1 George H. W. Bush
- 2 Bill Clinton
- 3 Bill Clinton
- 4 George W. Bush
- 5 George W. Bush
- 6 Barack Obama’s Flexible Response, 2009–2012
- 7 Barack Obama’s Soft Containment, 2013–2017
- Conclusion
- Suggested Reading
- Index
6 - Barack Obama’s Flexible Response, 2009–2012
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 November 2019
Book contents
- In the Shadow of the Cold War
- Cambridge Essential Histories
- In the Shadow of the Cold War
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- 1 George H. W. Bush
- 2 Bill Clinton
- 3 Bill Clinton
- 4 George W. Bush
- 5 George W. Bush
- 6 Barack Obama’s Flexible Response, 2009–2012
- 7 Barack Obama’s Soft Containment, 2013–2017
- Conclusion
- Suggested Reading
- Index
Summary
Argues that Obama was a Cold War–style foreign policy realist. Despite hopes and fears that he would transform American interests, he continued with approaches to Muslims and to counterterrorism, for example, that echoed those of his predecessors. Coming to power decrying the “dumb” Iraq War, Obama was complicit in regime change in Libya. He thus continued the pattern of waging wars to liberate Muslims.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- In the Shadow of the Cold WarAmerican Foreign Policy from George Bush Sr. to Donald Trump, pp. 162 - 196Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2019