Fighting talk on overseas objectives

Published on Friday 29 August 2008 21:40

If BARACK Obama promised to transform America at home, he was no less ambitious in the foreign policy arena. He promised to end the war in Iraq "responsibly" and "finish the fight" against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan; to "prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons" and "curb Russian aggression". New partnerships will be forged to "defeat the threats of the 21st century: terrorism and nuclear proliferation; poverty and genocide; climate change and disease".

He also promised to restore the US's "moral standing" making it, once again, "the last, best hope of all who are called to the cause of freedom".

In other words, anyone who hopes for a more humble, more modest foreign policy is likely to be disappointed.

Mr Obama challenged John McCain to a foreign policy fight, betting his judgment in opposing the Iraq War would outweigh Mr McCain's experienceand history of service and sacrifice.

Nonetheless, he criticised Mr McCain for the republican's unwillingness to deploy US troops, if necessary, to Pakistan.

An Obama presidency then, is likely to pursue the same aims as the Bush administration, even if those aims are cloaked in more diplomatic language.