Andrews+D.+-+WD+-+SP12

= Andrews Dadeboe =

= Honors American Studies =

= CE- War and Diplomacy // Obama's timidity risks the world's security //=

4/12/12
 ** Summary ** What do Americans think of its presence worldwide under President Obama? That will be one topic voters will consider in the upcoming 2012 election. According to Obama America has been able to withdraw “the tide of war” under his presidency. “Obama sees American strength as provocative. He believes its nuclear arsenal is excessive, and hence worthy of reduction, without fearing in any way that shredding the nuclear deterrent might actually have profoundly deleterious consequences not only on U.S. national security, but on security and stability in the world as a whole”(Bolton 1). If we take away our nuclear weapons we should not fear global violence. Defense Secretary Robert Gates pointed out that any future wars will be for terroristic reasons. There will be no more Cold War or World War II types of wars. Quick special operations will be the new form of war. Obama will receive good and bad credit for military decisions he has made. Russia and China continue to strengthen their missile attacks, while the United States does nothing to a weak missile defense. We must strengthen our missile defense to protect our citizens from countries like North Korea and Iran.

**Relevance ** One president, who was put into a tough military situation like Obama was John F Kennedy. Whatever decision a president makes could affect their reputation majorly. They will be judged not only from the citizens who are under their rule, but people from other countries. President Kennedy ended up being considered a great president, but not in the beginning. His Presidency was put into question early after the situation at the Bay of Pigs. An invasion was made to go into Cuba to stop Fidel Castro. The plan turned into a disaster. The invaders were clearly outnumbered by Cubans under the direction of Castro. Kennedy would than improve his prestige with the Cuban Missile Crisis. The United States was able to build American bases in Cuba with a naval quarantine around the country. When Obama was put into term, he was judged because of his military standstill. He really did not do much at all, which hurt his reputation. Then there was the action of killing Osama Bin Laden. Americans everywhere looked to him as a hero, and were proud of what he had arranged. This lifted up his reputation in the eyes of Americans. **Evaluation ** If Presidents want to be reelected, they must show Americans what they can do in our country, and out of our country. An example of an attempt to win citizen’s hearts is with President Bush. President Bush had to react after September 11, 2001. He declared war with Iraq because they had weapons of mass destruction. At first America was behind the decision to go to war. The war got brutal and America was losing many soldiers. Word got out that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction. This meant that there was no point for America to go to war with Iraq. This immediately brought Bush’s reputation to an ultimate low. This makes a conclusion that Presidents must respond when needed, but they must make sure their response is the right one. **Question **
 * 1) **1. ** **Is America waiting to receive an attack before they strengthen their defense?**
 * 2) **2. ** **How many of voters will actually vote based on military actions or plans?**
 * 3) **3. ** **Are Americans fearful of potential attacks from other countries?**
 * 4) **4. ** **How much are citizens from other countries fearful of America?**
 * 5) **5. ** **What country are we closest to starting another war with?**
 * 6) **6. ** **For what reasons would we start war with that country?**

Works Cited

Bolton, John. "Obama's Timidity Risks the World's Security." //Fox News//. FOX News Network, 10 Apr. 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. .

"The Bay of Pigs." // - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum //. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. .

May, Professor Ernest R. "John F Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis." //BBC News//. BBC, 17 Feb. 2011. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/coldwar/kennedy_cuban_missile_01.shtml>.