After a big victory in legislative elections, Republicans will likely challenge President Barack Obama on a range of foreign policy issues, questioning his approach to the Middle East, China, Afghanistan and nuclear arms control. With voters focused on the country's troubled economy, international crises and the nine-year-old war in Afghanistan were largely ignored in the election campaign. But armed with a majority in the House of Representatives, Republicans are expected to use their new platform to portray Obama as weak on national security, soft on China and ambivalent about Israel, experts said. "Congress sets the temperature for a lot of these issues," said Steven Clemons, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation. The atmosphere is "going to become very pugnacious." "They will complain about whatever he does, and poke holes in whatever he's doing," he said. As president, Obama still retains a great deal of power in the realm of foreign policy, and the Republicans … [Read more...] about Republicans set to challenge Obama on US foreign policy
Foreign policy issues
Prime Minister Spotlights Vietnam Foreign Policy at Shangri-La Meet
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan delivered a keynote address at the 12 th Shangri-La Dialogue held on May 31 in Singapore, calling on nations to build strategic trust for peace, cooperation and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. At the 12th Shangri La Dialogue, the international public paid special attention to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's address as it was the first time a Prime Minister of Vietnam had a speech at the largest security forum in the region and in the world, and because of the keynote speech's special content. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung delivers a keynote address at the 12th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Photo: Duc Tam - VNAThe 12th Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore attracted special attention from policymakers in the fields of national defence and security and many experts and scholars in the countries in the Asian-Pacific region. Photo: Duc Tam - VNA « Initiated by the International Institute for Strategy Studies (IISS), the annual Shangri-La … [Read more...] about Prime Minister Spotlights Vietnam Foreign Policy at Shangri-La Meet
Romney casts Obama’s foreign policy as weak, dangerous
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney delivered a sweeping critique on Monday of President Barack Obama's handling of threats in the Middle East, saying Obama's lack of leadership had made the volatile region more dangerous. … [Read more...] about Romney casts Obama’s foreign policy as weak, dangerous
Romney to draw contrast with Obama on foreign policy
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will vow to pursue a more aggressive policy toward the Middle East on Monday if elected in an attempt to draw a sharp distinction with how President Barack Obama has handled Libya, Iran, Syria and the Arab-Israeli dispute. … [Read more...] about Romney to draw contrast with Obama on foreign policy
EU foreign policy chief says ‘blockade’ of Cuba not solution
HAVANA: Blockading Cuba is not the solution, the European Union's foreign policy chief said Wednesday (Jan 4) on a trip aimed at strengthening ties with Havana, after Washington tightened restrictions on the island.Much of the half-century-old US economic embargo against Cuba remains entrenched in law, but under former president Barack Obama federal authorities began to loosen some rules - something his successor Donald Trump vowed to reverse."The blockade (of Cuba) is not the solution. The Europeans have told our American friends many times; we have affirmed it in the United Nations," Federica Mogherini said during a presentation to students and teachers in Havana."We know well that the sole effect of the blockade is to worsen the quality of life of women, men and children," she said."The blockade is obsolete, it is illegal," Mogherini said.Mogherini's remarks came on the first of a two-day visit to Cuba that will include meetings with officials with the aim of a "swift joint … [Read more...] about EU foreign policy chief says ‘blockade’ of Cuba not solution