Prior to becoming president in 2009, Obama served in the Senate after his election in 2004. He was previously an Illinois state senator from 1997-2004 and a visiting fellow and lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School from 1991-2004, while working at a law firm specializing in civil rights and neighborhood economic development.

President Obama’s foreign policy views reflect a strong belief in a “smart power” approach to national security that elevates development and diplomacy alongside defense. In a speech on Afghanistan, he observed, “our security and leadership does not come solely from the strength of our arms.” While in the Senate, he served on the Foreign Relations Committee and was active on issues such as global health, nuclear non-proliferation and Darfur. As a candidate for president, he said, “I will make the case to the American people that [development assistance] can be our best investment in increasing the common security of the entire world.” ¹

As president, Obama has made prominent trips to the Middle East, South Asia and Africa and has strongly supported strengthening the civilian agencies that support diplomacy and development. His FY11 and FY12 budget requests to Congress have called for significant increases in the International Affairs Budget and continued the legacy, first begun under President Bush in 2007, of including the International Affairs Budget as part of national security spending.

In 2009, President Obama released the first-ever Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development, which made a commitment to economic growth as a principle objective of U.S. foreign assistance. “The United States has been, and will remain, the global leader in providing assistance,” he said. ² His administration has been active in efforts to modernize foreign assistance, including the first Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review and USAID Forward. President Obama launched new initiatives on global health and food security and has continued to support the Millennium Challenge Corporation and PEPFAR. In the Frontline states, he has begun steps for the transfer from military to civilian control in Iraq and the drawdown in Afghanistan. President Obama has called for the doubling of U.S. exports, and supports the pending free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.

Obama on America’s Global Leadership

“Even in these tough fiscal times, we will continue to make historic investments in development.” (Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security, May 2012) ³

“We can unleash the change that reduces hunger and malnutrition. We can spark the kind of economic growth that lifts people and nations out of poverty. This is the new commitment that we’re making. And I pledge to you today that this will remain a priority as long as I am United States President.” (Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security, May 2012) ⁴

“Meeting the challenges of our time cannot be the work of our military alone—or the United States alone. It requires all elements of our national power, working together, and in concert with allies and partners.” (Remarks on National Security Spending, January 2012) ⁵

“We will support policies that lead to strong and stable democracies and open markets, because tyranny is no match for liberty.” (State of the Union, January 2012)⁶

“In the end, our security and leadership does not come solely from the strength of our arms. It derives from our people – from the workers and businesses who will rebuild our economy; from the entrepreneurs and researchers who will pioneer new industries; from the teachers that will educate our children, and the service of those who work in our communities at home; from the diplomats and Peace Corps volunteers who spread hope abroad; and from the men and women in uniform who are part of an unbroken line of sacrifice that has made government of the people, by the people, and for the people a reality on this Earth.” (Address on Afghanistan and Pakistan, December 2009) ⁷

“Military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who have been displaced. And that is why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend upon.” (Speech at Cairo University, June 2009) ⁸

“So to advance security, opportunity and justice— not just in Kabul, but from the bottom up in the provinces— we need agricultural specialists and educators, engineers and lawyers. That’s how we can help the Afghan government serve its people and develop an economy that isn’t dominated by illicit drugs. And that’s why I’m ordering a substantial increase in our civilians on the ground. That’s also why we must seek civilian support from our partners and allies, from the United Nations and international aid organizations.” (Remarks on Afghanistan and Pakistan Strategy, March 2009) ⁹

“To combat the poverty that punishes our children, we must act on the belief that freedom from want is a basic human right. The United States has made it a focus of our engagement abroad to help people to feed themselves.” (Address to UN General Assembly, September 2011) ¹⁰ – Watch the video

Obama on Foreign Policy

“There must be no doubt that the United States of America welcomes change that advances self-determination and opportunity.” (Remarks on the Middle East and North Africa, May 2011) ¹¹

“Reducing malnutrition and hunger around the world advances international peace and security — and that includes the national security of the United States.” (Address at Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security, May 2012) ¹²

“It’s important to focus on trade, not just aid; on investment, not just assistance. The goal must be a model in which protectionism gives way to openness, the reigns of commerce pass from the few to the many, and the economy generates jobs for the young. America’s support for democracy will therefore be based on ensuring financial stability, promoting reform, and integrating competitive markets with each other and the global economy.” (Remarks on the Middle East and North Africa, May 2011) ¹³

Obama on Trade

“Wealthy nations must open their markets to more goods and extend a hand to those with less, while reforming international institutions to give more nations a greater voice. And developing nations must root out the corruption that is an obstacle to progress – for opportunity cannot thrive where individuals are oppressed and business have to pay bribes. That is why we support honest police and independent judges; civil society and a vibrant private sector. Our goal is simple: a global economy in which growth is sustained, and opportunity is available to all.” (Speech to UN General Assembly, September 2009) ¹⁴

Videos

1. http://m.npr.org/news/front/93375859?singlePage=true
2. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/22/remarks-president-millennium-development-goals-summit-new-york-new-york
3. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/18/remarks-president-symposium-global-agriculture-and-food-security
4. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/18/remarks-president-symposium-global-agriculture-and-food-security
5. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/06/us/text-obamas-remarks-on-military-spending.html?pagewanted=2&ref=us
6. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71920.html#ixzz1kTpBNvKK
7. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-address-nation-way-forward-afghanistan-and-pakistan
8. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-cairo-university-6-04-09
9. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-a-New-Strategy-for-Afghanistan-and-Pakistan/
10. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/21/remarks-president-obama-address-united-nations-general-assembly
11. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/19/remarks-president-middle-east-and-north-africa
12. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/18/remarks-president-symposium-global-agriculture-and-food-security
13. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/19/remarks-president-middle-east-and-north-africa
14. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/us/politics/24prexy.text.html?pagewanted=6