DNC 08: A Look at Obama's Foreign Policy Team

Yes, we know the Republicans are having their convention, and we're watching it with great interest. It's reminding us of how much more positive and inclusive our OWN convention was last week.

We still have a LOT of material from Denver that we've yet to share with you. So we hope you'll allow us to bask a little longer in the DNC's light. We think it will be a nice counterpoint to the bile we're hearing out of St. Paul.

John McCain's supporters have argued vociferously that Barack Obama has too little foreign policy experience to be an effective President in an increasingly dangerous world. (At least, that was their argument before McCain announced Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate).

I have always thought that the foreign policy argument was rather fallacious. A President is only as good as his or her team of advisors. Our last two Presidents were state Governors, elected without diplomatic experience.

The important thing to consider is who is on a candidate's advisory team.

Bill Clinton appointed Warren Christopher and Madeleine Albright as his Secretaries of State and famously listened (and listened and listened) to his staff before he acted. World opinion of Clinton remained high through both his terms, even when his poll numbers suffered at home for the Lewinsky affair.

George W. Bush ignored the advice of first-term Secretary of State Colin Powell while pursuing a dangerous agenda set forth by neo-cons like Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Perle.

We know how well that has worked: We've overloaded our military in Iraq (at the expense of the real work we have yet to do in Afghanistan, and our homeland security). We've lost support of international allies and much of our influence throughout the world, as well as the moral authority to champion human rights.

John McCain continues to support that agenda, by advocating a continuation of Bush's policies; even flip-flopping on the subject of torture. His top foreign policy adviser is lobbyist Randy Scheunemann, a former aide to Donald Rumsfeld and president of the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq.

But what agenda would Barack Obama bring to the Presidency? That was the subject of a panel I attended Thursday at the National Democratic Institute's International Leaders Forum, held the final day of the Democratic Convention.

The first thing I noticed about this event was how professional the attendees looked – and here I showed up dressed for a day at a football stadium (INVESCO Field, where Barack Obama was to accept the party’s nomination that evening).

"Oh no, you DO look professional,” a young CDI staffer assured me. “Journalists are supposed to look like they were up all night writing.” Or drinking. But I digress.

It turns out that my panel was part of a four-day program held in conjunction with the DNC; most of the participants were foreign dignitaries (including legislators and ambassadors). World interest in this year's US election is high: The NDI website states that "some 500 international leaders from over 100 countries" came to Denver to observe our process.

Media contact Jeff Berkowitz greeted me warmly when I told him I was one of the MOMocrats. He said CSPAN was also there broadcasting the event live. MOMocrats and CSPAN. Yes, we have much in common.

The panel was moderated by Colorado's former US Senator (and one-time Presidential candidate) Gary Hart. Participants were:

• Greg Craig, former White House special counsel and former director of policy planning, Department of State
• Richard Danzig, former secretary of the Navy
• Anthony Lake, former national security advisor
• Susan Rice, former assistant secretary of state for African affairs (Described by Hart as "OUR Dr. Rice - and to some of us, the BETTER Dr. Rice.")
• Adam Smith, U.S. Representative, Washington
• Gayle Smith, former special assistant to the President and senior director for African affairs at the National SecurityCouncil

The bipartisan audience also included former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Reagan Administration Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci.

Anthony Lake is very professorial and alluded to the fact that he is presently on the faculty of Georgetown University. He displayed a wry sense of humor, even as he asked these important questions:

• Compared with eight years ago - Is the US more secure today?
• Are our allies more secure? 
• Are we enjoying a greater peace?
• Is our planet healthier?

"The answer to all of those questions is NO," said Lake.

He asserted that the US has made a series of mistakes over the last eight years. These include the failure to act in urgent matters. Lake said that one of the reasons he joined the Obama campaign was the candidate's sense of urgency and passion for correcting these mistakes.

According to Lake, Barack Obama displays integrative thinking. He explained this as an ability to look at the big picture. Obama's plan to combat terrorism integrates many different strategies: integrating our military, economic and diplomatic power AND our moral authority into the struggle against terrorism.

After eight years of neglect, the United States must integrate and rebuild our military, abide by our Constitution and restore diplomacy, Lake said, because “power without diplomacy is dangerous.”

Lake continued that we need to renew a national call to service, and let the public know that appointments will be made on merit, not politics.

Barack Obama wants to double U.S. foreign assistance as well as our team of foreign diplomats. Lake asserted that we can no longer describe our foreign policy as “foreign,” because of the world's growing interconnectedness. Therefore, we must build our economy at home, we must lead the world in recharging the environment, and we must integrate our foreign WITH our domestic policy.

Lake emphasized how significant it is that Barack Obama thinks strategically. He believes that before we send our troops to war, we must have a strategy that is long term and far reaching. Contrast that to the way the war in Iraq began: We had a plan for overthrowing Hussein and did it quickly. But no one knew what to do afterwards.

Finally: We need to foster a concept of common security. Barack Obama understands that what happens elsewhere in the world impacts the United States. We must work together with other countries to solve common challenges.

That's why Lake was thrilled to see Europeans waving American flags as they thronged to see Obama on his recent visit there. It shows they want to see "a reassertion of American leadership that listens rather than lectures," he said.

"We must build the political will to make it happen, and the political will in the world to join with the United States," Lake concluded.

Former Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig spoke on Barack Obama’s qualifications to lead the military.

"In Obama’s mind, military issues are framed by an approach to preventive steps so we don’t have to use force," Danzig said. "When Bill Clinton left office in 2001, we gave George W. Bush a healthy national security. He’s giving back one that is crippled."

Danzig accused the Bush/Cheney administration of creating situations where it has not understood the military or supported the military.

One of Obama's first tasks as Commander in Chief, according to Danzig, will be to restore the command atmosphere. He told of the time Donald Rumsfeld, as Defense Secretary, famously stated that he gave the generals everything they wanted.

"For one thing," Danzig continued, "that was not true. For another, it is the wrong principle."

"Civilian leaders should listen but then use their own judgment and think strategically," Danzig said.

The former Navy Secretary said he hasn’t seen strategies from the Bush Administration. "When Obama says Iraq is one part of a large puzzle, he’s showing how he sees the world as a whole and understands what it means to be Commander in Chief," said Danzig.

"Obama understands that the lifeblood of the military is our PEOPLE – not our technology, which is the mistake the Bush administration made."

Danzig said that Barack Obama embraces expansion of the military and quality recruitment. He will make commitments consistent with our resources.

Danzig pointed out that Barack Obama supports our veterans. (John McCain opposes expanding the GI Bill and VA funding.)

When Obama is President, judgments made about our forces will not to be based on ideology, Danzig promised.

"The next President needs to recognize that risks are not predictable. We need to be prepared for all contingencies. There must be a balance between counter-terrorism and predictable warfare," said Danzig.

“We must not militarize national security. We need a strong military AND strong diplomacy.”

Representative Adam Smith weighed in on Counter-Terrorism Policy.

Rep. Smith summed up Obama's counter-terrorism philosophy: "We must put our resources where the most important fights are; we must identify these and use them wisely."

"Iraq was NOT a wise choice," said Smith. "It was a distraction from Afghanistan, which was the real threat."

Smith said Barack Obama will not shy away from taking direct action. By that, he explained, we need to pay attention to active terror threats. But also we need to be smart about it.

He cited Obama's pragmatism: "If there are things Bush did right (and there are some), we won’t change them." He contrasted this with the widely reported decision of the Bush administration which came in determined to do the opposite of everything predecessor Bill Clinton did.

Smith defined indirect action as stopping insurgencies before they take hold. This has to do with global development. The more developed a region, the less vulnerable it is to insurgencies.

Smith referred to Greg Mortenson's book “Three Cups of Tea,” about his quest to build schools in Afghanistan. "This will not completely stop the spread of violent extremists, but it will curb it," he said.

He talked of human terrain teams in Iraq and Afghanistan, who understand the cultures there. He noted that "where we’ve used them, we’ve gotten villages on our side without firing a shot."

Smith did not go into the difficulty of recruiting and retaining anthropologists to do this work. Presumably, an Obama Administration would address this issue.

Greg Craig listed Obama's Strategic Foreign Policy Objectives

1. Withdraw from Iraq, as responsibly and carefully as we can
2. Direct our resources to real terrorist threats
3. Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons; make it difficult for terrorists to obtain them
4. Seriously address climate change
5. Reinvigorate diplomacy

Craig predicted that national security issues will play an unprecedented role in the Administration of our next President.

Development As Important as Military Power

Gayle Smith remarked that Barack Obama understands this is a multidimensional world, and so he understands that as President, he will need to multi-task.

"He has an affirmative agenda," she said. "He starts with what we’re FOR: a world of healthy states marching towards common goals."

He will invest in that vision, starting with a goal to close the deficit in primary education around the world. But to pursue this goal, we must expend both diplomatic AND financial capital, Smith said.

"That’s America acting big and taking the lead in helping the world," declared Smith. She posed the question: "What would have happened had the US spent the last 25 years educating kids in Afghanistan?"

She said we need to refine and rebuild our capabilities at home; both military and civilian agencies.

Barack Obama is "willing, able and committed to lead, make us safe and secure," said Smith.

Susan Rice on Restoring Democracy's Good Reputation

According to Dr. Rice, Obama's policies are suited to 21st century realities. "Our world is fundamentally different from what it was even 10 years ago," she said.

Obama "recognizes that we share common security needs and a common humanity," and that we should be promoting and enhancing democracy throughout the world.

She quoted Madeleine Albright, who said that in the last few years, we’ve given democracy a bad name.

"Obama knows that democracy cannot be imposed through the barrel of a gun," said Rice.

Rice noted that institutional constructs must be adapted and supplemented to 21st Century realities. "McCain’s League of Democracies is exclusionary and won’t work because it is a fallacy that all democracies must necessarily agree with one another," she said.

We should strengthen democratic capacities at the global level; take a collaborative approach," she continued. "We can’t risk doing what divisive plans do; they set us apart from our allies. No more 'with us or you’re against us.'”

Specific Problems: Iran

Regarding Iran, Rice noted that "engagement" is NOT the same as "appeasement."

Danzig said that we must use all elements of our national power to contain Iran's nuclear program. We will find opportunities through engagement. "Look at the historical record to see how effective these can be," he said.

Danzig reminded the audience how the United States was handed intelligence after 9/11  from Iran and made diplomatic overtures to us in 2003 -- which were REJECTED. This was a big mistake, he said.

"We need to set up opportunities to draw them on our positive side."

Lake: "Iran is important; its nuclear program an urgent issue. If they succeed in developing a nuclear weapon, it could lead to the next crisis we face in the next five years."

We must make it clear to the Iranians that stepping back is a better choice for their people. We must present that choice as soon as possible in negotiations."

He suggested we all read a book: “After the Taliban” by Ambassador James Dobbins, which recounts our lost opportunities with the Iranians.

"The question is, can we revive them?" Lake asked.

Pakistan

Gayle Smith noted that Pakistan also is a huge threat.

"We’re in a bad spot now because we put all our eggs in Musharraf’s basket. We didn’t do enough to encourage him to embrace democracy or help development. The Pakistani people don’t like us, and they don’t trust us."

"We need to employ both carrots and sticks," she said. "Let’s do one thing that isn’t based only on our own interests. Let’s build schools and let’s be consistent."

She said that when we helped Pakistan after their earthquake, not part of a negotiation but of pure intent to help, "that boosted us there – but that’s the only instance."

Smith said that Barack Obama thinks American policy towards Pakistan is dangerously flawed. We’ve been supporting personalities like Musharraf, not democracy.

Russia's Invasion of Georgia

"It’s a serious matter," said Lake, "and a dangerous precedent for the world."

Lake pointed out that "this is not Kosovo, which came about through international consensus. Russia’s invasion of Georgia was unilateral. The Russians felt they had little to lose because for eight years we have failed to develop the kind of relationships that might help contain this kind of action."

Furthermore, "throwing the Russians out of the G8 would be yet another mistake by ending a relationship," he said.

Lake cited French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who says our task is not to punish Russia, but to let the Russians know they face a choice. "

"Do they go back to their [Soviet] ways, or do they help solve problems with international help? Do they want to isolate themselves?"

Choosing that path would damage both their economy and ability to solve common problems together, Lake said.  "I hope they choose the path of deep engagement."

Lake expounded on our tendency over the last eight years to demonize and invest in personalities instead of pursuing national relationships. This has been an enormous Bush diplomatic failure, which should not translate to a McCain advantage, as he has endorsed Bush’s approach.

Lake noted that John McCain’s rhetoric has been "bellicose and unilaterist." He contrasted this with Barack Obama's thoughtful discourse with experts. "We need to work with the Europeans, not alone," Lake said.

Gary Hart noted that the crisis in Georgia is the result of centuries of ethnic nationalism. There are "lots of complex reasons for the invasion. It's not simple Black & White situation," he said.

When Donna Schwartz Mills isn't hobnobbing with diplomats, she can usually be found negotiating between factions at her Southern California PTA - a subject she writes about on her personal blog, SoCal Mom.

Comments

[Karoli]

Lots of food for thought here. Thanks for the comprehensive reporting and linkage, you make my job much easier!

[Sarah]

What an excellent, informative post. It's so refreshing to step outside of the anger and personal issues like you mention ("Lake expounded on our tendency over the last eight years to demonize and invest in personalities instead of pursuing national relationships") and really talk about the specific political and strategic ways in which we need to move forward as an international community for the benefit of all of us. This crazy "family values" focus with regard to how different American families choose to handle life's different situations (like teen pregnancy and working motherhood) are SO beside the point when considering who to elect as President. I'm awful tired of hearing that Sarah Palin is a great choice because she decided not to abort her Downs Syndrome baby and is continuing to love her pregnant teen-aged daughter (and similarly tired of hearing that she's a bad choice because she shouldn't be working so hard while she has young kids). These things have nothing whatever to do with leading our country and laying down our foreign strategy through a treacherous time, and it is absolutely astounding that so many people are lowering themselves to making these topics paramount in the current race for the Presidency/Vice Presidency.

[cynematic]

Excellent post, I'm so glad you attended and reported back to us. The peek at Obama's brain trust is confidence-inspiring. Not because of any perceived lack on his part, but because we have so many foreign policy difficulties ahead of us as a result of 8 years of Bush's Iraq war.

The more I learn about the "good" Dr. Rice versus Bush's "evil" Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the more I appreciate Susan Rice's expertise and perspective.

[Sarah Granger]

Donna - This is a great post, thanks so much. I wish I had known Senator Hart was on a panel... I was assuming he would be doing something related to foreign policy at the DNCC and I looked all over, but didn't find him listed. Glad you got to see him.

Check out the organization he founded last year, American Security Project (www.americansecurityproject.org). He is an international expert, particularly relating to issues in Russia and his work on the Commission on National Security & the 21st Century is well known.

[Billdemo]

Interesting post, but you should look into why Obama does not mention using economic sanctions with regard to Iran. That was Hillary's policy, that's McCain's policy.... Why isn't it Obama's policy?

There's a lot Barack obama isn't telling us about his foreign policy positions.