Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
One Region
November 18, 2014

Anti-Obama forces cloud global stability

With just two years effectively left in Barack Obama’s Presidency of the United States, the world suddenly looks set to face even more danger than it does currently.

Control of the US Congress by the Republican Party, following the November 4 mid-term elections, has emboldened the “neo-cons” who formed part of the George W Bush regime that launched the US into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The extreme right-wing views of figures, such as Dick Cheney, Bush’s belligerent vice-president,{{more}} and Paul Wolfowitz, his deputy secretary for Defence, are emerging in the thinking and statements of those who now occupy the Republican-dominated Congress.

A significant part of their thinking is that the US should take unilateral action and make pre-emptive military strikes anywhere and at any time that America’s national security is imperilled. Of course, the “neo-con’s” definition of America’s national security is very broad and ranges from resisting any effort to address the effects of climate change to blasting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) into oblivion. In between those two extremes are stepping up support for Israel against Palestine, sending weapons to the Ukraine to resist Russia, and curbing China’s growing influence in Asia and the Pacific.

As President, Obama has not satisfied fully any of the many groups and individuals who had so eagerly and expectantly supported his first campaign for the job. But despite the drone strikes, which he continued in Afghanistan and Pakistan and his failure to fulfil his promise to close the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Obama has tried to pursue a multilateral approach to America’s involvement in the problems of the world. He has sought to give the UN Security Council the respect it deserves, as well as to involve other nations in the theatres of conflict into which the US has been drawn.

Had he not done so, the world would have been confronted much earlier with the huge clashes that now loom large over it. What is more, the lives of thousands of American soldiers would have been lost in battlegrounds in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and elsewhere. And, antagonism and hostility to the US would have grown exponentially, widening even more the readiness of aggrieved parties to use terror for revenge against America.

He gets no credit for his measured foreign policies from the Republicans, who blame him for allowing ISIL to be formed and for the existence of the murderous ISIS group. Even his judicious handling of Iran and its potential for developing a nuclear weapon capability won him no plaudits with a Republican Party that is so jaundiced in its attitude that its representatives accord him not the slightest commendation.

Within days of securing a majority in the House of Representatives, the rampant Republican Party showed its determination to overturn progressive international policies that Obama is trying to put in place. Few hours had passed after Obama signed a historic and globally important agreement on November 12 with Chinese President Xi Jinping to curb the greenhouse gas emissions of their countries, when the Republicans attacked it. The Republican Party’s attitude to Climate Change portends greater grief for small states that are the victims of global warming and sea level rise. It also endangers the future of the planet, including the US, which is not immune from the damaging consequences of intense changes in climate patterns.

The worrying prospect for the world is that the “neo-con” thinking inside the Republican Party could become so all pervasive that it dictates their stance in the US Congress over the last two years of Obama’s presidency. Such a stance has destructive implications within America for Obama’s visionary health care programme, which the Republicans would like to discard, and for a more balanced immigration framework. But, it will also contribute to an unsettled world, from which only warmongers will benefit.

It is in the nature of the American system of government that neither the President nor the Congress enjoy unrestricted power. Even when the President and the majority in the Congress are from the same political party, the two often have to negotiate agreements on laws and budgets. Such negotiations sometimes assume an acrimonious and bitter character when the President and the Congressional majority are from opposing parties. In the course of American history, Presidents and Congresses have learned the manners and principles of negotiation and bargaining to achieve some level of agreement in the management of the nation’s affairs. That is as it should be in a democratic system. Both President and Congress are elected representatives of the people and, in managing the people’s affairs, neither side should have unhindered power to act as they please. What comes out in the wash of negotiations between them may not be perfect, but at least it reflects consensus.

But, there has been a conspicuous difference in the way that the Republican Party representatives have treated with Barack Obama as President. Their hostility has often been palpable and outrageous, even to the point of the Representative of South Carolina, Joe Wilson, shouting the word “liar” at Obama as he delivered a Health Care Address to a joint session of Congress in 2009.

There is little doubt that the last two years of Obama’s Presidency will be beset with obstacles on both the domestic and foreign policy fronts. There is almost a primitive urge within the Republican Party not only to ensure that he enjoys no successes during the rest of his term, but also to overturn the things he has accomplished so far. The present Congress has already shown that it has no intention of co-operating with him. Therefore, he has only a slim chance of implementing his instinctive policies for a better America and a more just world.

However, as President, he can at least stop the renewed efforts of the ‘neo-cons’ to advance practices that would alienate America and push the world into increased tension and instability. And, that he must do.

(The writer is a Consultant and Senior Fellow at London University)

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversery
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversery
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok