Obama Administration Accomplishments List
Previous :: Next
- Accomplishment: Steadily worked to improve USA's standing in the world.
- What does that mean?
Global approval started a steady climb after Obama's election, and disapproval began a steady descent (ref1) (ref2). President Obama accomplished this improvement in relations through numerous positive public relations moves, including visiting 16 countries -- setting a record for foreign travel by a first year President (ref) -- and removing the 50-year-old (and completely ineffective) ban on allowing travel, sending money to family members, and allowing export of humanitarian items to Cuba (ref).
He also directed money toward important international needs, including $20 billion to combat global hunger (ref), $120 million to a Rapid Response Fund for emerging democracies, and $400 million in aid for Gaza (ref).
- Why does it matter?
Aside from the ethical rational that we ought to do right by others, our economy and well-being is intimately intertwined with our ability to cooperate with other countries. We rely on trade to receive and sell goods and services. We also rely on other countries to help us in other circumstances.
For example, when we were attacked on September 11, 2001, we began a fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Armed forces from the United Kingdom and Australia, as well as the Afghan United Front, joined us in the battle (ref). To say it was a difficult war would be an understatement, but without help of allies, it would have been an unfathomable war.
Having better relations with other countries not only would give us more allies in a circumstance that requires us to engage in military action, but would also help decrease likelihood of such a trigger event, since anyone considering such an attack would have to consider not only our military power but also a military response as well as embargoes from friendly nations.
