| ID | 175692 |
| Title Proper | Obama administration, defensive realism, and American foreign policy in the Middle East |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Juneau, Thomas |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Some argue that President Barack Obama’s Middle East policies were consistent with realism. This article examines this claim and finds that Obama’s policies were only partly consistent with defensive realism. He exercised restraint in the use of force by resisting pressure to intervene on a large-scale in Syria and in his efforts to counter the Islamic State. The nuclear deal with Iran was also consistent with realism. In other areas, however, the gap between his policies and realist prescriptions was wide. The article then analyzes the implications of these gaps and suggests options to steer policy further toward realism. |
| `In' analytical Note | Comparative Strategy Vol. 39, No.1-6; 2020: p.385-400 |
| Journal Source | Comparative Strategy Vol: 39 No 1-6 |
| Key Words | Middle East ; American Foreign Policy ; Obama Administration |