Policy

He is known for policies which embraced “multinational rather than unilateral action,” and dealt with global situations on a case-by-case basis. Regarding his foreign policy, he was often quoted saying, “don’t do stupid stuff.” 10

 

Major Powers

 

Russia

Regarding Syria’s use of chemical weapons, he accepted Russia’s offer to address the issue with Syria . In 2010, he signed the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) with Russia to reduce “the number of long-range nuclear weapons held by each side.” He signed the Magnitsky Act “which imposed U.S. travel and financial restrictions on human rights abusers in Russia.” And in 2014, following Russia’s military occupation of Ukraine, he signed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, which imposed “punitive sanctions” on Russia. 10, 13

 

China

In 2014, along with China, as the two top polluting countries in the world, he agreed to reduce carbon emissions. 5

 

Nuclear Weapons

In 2015, his administration, along with five (5) other countries, reached an agreement for Iran to cease development of nuclear weapons for at least a decade, in return for removing United Nations (UN) economic sanctions. In doing so, “Iran surrendered 97 percent of its enriched uranium.” 10

 

NATO

He gave U.S. support to NATO when it helped rebels in Libya to resist the dictator, Colonel Muamar el-Qaddafi. 10

 

Terrorism

He inherited the war in Afghanistan from President Bush, and reduced the number of troops overseas. Under his administration, on May 2, 2011, the leader of al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, who ordered the 9/11 attacks , was killed by U.S. Navy Seals. As the terrorist group, ISIS , grew in power in Syria and Iraq , and beheaded two U.S. citizens, he ordered air strikes against them. He dismissed a need for congressional support, as his administration claimed his authority to act rested in the previous congressional action which authorized President Bush to use force against those “who planned, authorized, committed or aided” in the September 11 attacks.” 10

 

Climate Change

In 2009, he supported the Copenhagen Accord for climate change, but it ultimately did not succeed. His climate agreement with China in 2014 created the path which led to the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015. He committed the U.S. to the Paris agreement through executive order. 6, 10

 

Trade

Along with twelve (12) U.S. trading partners in the Pacific basin, he signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership in an effort to unite those nations with the U.S. rather than China. 10