Brookings Focus Books: Bending History

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How effectively has Barack Obama fulfilled his roles as U.S. commander-in-chief and diplomat? While he has struggled to change the political climate in Washington and faced significant economic challenges during his first two years, his ultimate success may depend largely on his foreign policy. A trio of esteemed foreign policy experts explores the complexities of a president who has captivated global attention. Conflicting perceptions of Obama abound: the Right often views him as a naive apologist undermining "American exceptionalism," while some on the Left see him as a transformative figure countering George Bush's militarism, and others as an accommodationist lacking the resolve to dismantle Bush-era antiterror policies. However, Obama is far more nuanced than these portrayals suggest. The authors argue that he has primarily acted as a foreign policy pragmatist, addressing issues thoughtfully and competently, often opting for reasonable policies and demonstrating flexibility. This book-length appraisal, authored by Martin Indyk, Kenneth Lieberthal, and Michael O'Hanlon, combines their extensive expertise with insights from key military and diplomatic figures within the administration. They conclude that Obama's foreign policy lacks strategic coherence, characterized more by individual initiatives than by cohesive themes, despite the symbolic significance of his presidency.