Newsweek

Newsweek 21 Feb 2011
Niall Ferguson: Wanted a Grand Strategy for America

Good article about Obama's foreign policy or lack thereof by Ferguson.

Ferguson argues that Obama has made serious mistakes regarding the situation in Egypt. The choises Obama has made have resulted in bad relations with the Egyptian society and Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Correctly Ferguson points out that the mistakes made in American foreign policy are not entirely Obama's fault. Partly the blame also lies with Obama's advisers. According to Ferguson some of the advisers have not been suitable to work in international relations mostly because they lack adequate diplomatic skills.

Another criticism is that the Obama administration foreign policy team did not take into account that Egypt's Mubarak would be overthrown. Indeed, policy thinkers should be able to think for all eventualities. Why didn't they think this far is anyone's guess.

As Ferguson points out Obama has more pressing issues ahead as the elections are fast approaching and the American electorate is not too bothered with foreign policy.