New Administration, New Foreign Policy?
A report by Gordon Corera
CLINTON'S MIXED LEGACY
Eight years after entering the White House as an inexperienced southern governor promising to focus on domestic issues, Bill Clinton exits with some unfinished business but also with a reputation as a major player on the global stage. In this field, as with the rest of his presidency, his personality proved to be central.
Clinton's ability to empathise made him a powerful negotiator and DJ Schneweiss from the Israeli Embassy in London watched the Clinton magic up close when he was an aide at Middle East peace talks. He remembers the focused gaze Clinton fixed on whoever was talking: "Not only was he listening but he was trying to get inside of the position that was being presented so that he could himself understand it," says Schneweiss. "Together with his personality he made you want to rise above your limits and to see what you could do to make things work."
TOUGH LESSONS LEARNT
But this skill did not come easily or quickly. Just months after entering office President Clinton was faced with an international disaster in Somalia. This heightened his initial wariness of intervention but it also taught the Clinton administration, as one adviser put it, that if you don't do foreign policy, it does you. Slowly he learnt to play to his strengths and his freewheeling style often proved strangely suited to the times.
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION
A change of President is sure to herald a change in the nature of American involvement overseas. While Bill Clinton was a details man, George W. Bush has shown little interest in foreign affairs and is known as a delegator who only reads the executive summary of reports. Places like Northern Ireland are unlikely to receive the kind of lavish attention they have enjoyed in recent years.
While he may not begin with same interest or understanding, some believe that the Bush Presidency offers the chance for greater discipline and consistency in foreign policy: not so much isolationist as more selective and perhaps unilaterally interventionist.
ANY ROLE FOR CLINTON?
A critical question for Bush is whether he sees any future role for President Clinton in Irish affairs. He is thought to be considering whether he would like to preside over implementation of the Belfast agreement as well as his other main foreign policy interest, peace in the Middle East.
PROSPECTS FOR BUSH
The advisors around Bush are undoubtedly experienced. However they will need to adapt to a world that has become more complex and globalised since they left office 8 years ago. The challenge for George W. Bush will be whether he, like the other Southern Governor before him, develops his own style and confidence on the world stage.
More Pages
A Guide to the Presidential Inauguration
Trivia About The Inaugration
