Feature

Glaser 'Not Optimistic' about Obama's Foreign Policy Challenges

Charles Glaser, Emmett Dedmon Professor in Public Policy, met with members of the student group, the Committee on International Affairs in Public Policy (CIAPP), on January 15 to discuss the national security issues facing President Barack Obama. Given the international challenges that he is inheriting from the former president, Glaser said, "President-Elect Obama is in about as deep a hole as he could be."

Glaser outlined the top four foreign policy areas that he thinks will likely take up much of the new administration's time and resources: Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea. But he noted that other parts of the world like Russia, China, Taiwan, and much of Africa-not to mention the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict-have potential for local crises, demanding the administration's attention.

The most pressing issue is Iraq, from which Obama has made a commitment to withdraw U.S. troops within the next 16 months. Glaser questioned whether the administration would able to adhere to this timeline, hoping that the Iraqis will "save us by kicking us out." Looking back, Glaser noted that for the United States there was not a net benefit to getting into Iraq. Now however, we should leave the country stable because we "have a responsibility to do well by the Iraqi people," said Glaser.

In Afghanistan, the United States is engaged in a very resource-intensive war with arguably limited benefits. Within the region, Glaser suggests, Pakistan is a much bigger concern given its nuclear capability and proximity to acknowledged terrorist threats. The Obama administration will have to choose whether the bigger threat is Pakistani nuclear weapons or instability in Afghanistan. "I think there is a great case for getting [our troops] out of Afghanistan," said Glaser.

Iran is now in a position to obtain nuclear weapons, and the Obama administration will have few possible courses of action. It can act militarily, engage in ambitious negotiations, or impose economic sanctions. While Glaser does not see any other countries joining in either the military or economic options, he is "not optimistic" about diplomatic engagements with Iran. "[Having invaded] Iraq makes it harder for us to convince Iran to give up its nuclear weapon research, because if we have [invaded] one country, it is hard to tell its neighbor we will not invade them too."

Glaser called North Korea the fourth big challenge for the new administration. After six years of diplomatic talks, there is still no guarantee the country will contain its nuclear ambitions.

An expert on international security and defense policy, Glaser has been on faculty at the Harris School since 1991 and has served as deputy dean since 1998. Among his other roles, he is the chair of the weekly workshop series on international security policy issues. At the end of this academic year, Glaser will be leaving the Harris School to join the faculty of the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, where he will begin teaching in the fall.

CIAPP is a student-led organization that focuses on international policy. It seeks to be a resource for students who wish to explore international careers, network with global organizations, and learn about international policy in a professional and academic environment. Among its events, CIAPP hosts speakers to discuss international policy challenges, including security, the environment, diplomacy, development, and human rights.