Bush's legacy and America's next foreign policy
By: Marcin Zaborowski
Contributors: Institute for Security Studies (Paris, France)
Series: Chaillot paper -- no 111; Chaillot papers -- no 111.
Publisher: Institute for Security Studies, European Union
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Paris
Language: eng
Number of pages: 127
ISBN-13: 9789291981281
Subjects: Views on international relations; Foreign relations; Relations; Iraq War, 2003-2011; Relations extérieures; Guerre en Irak, 2003-2011; Diplomatic relations; International relations
Other titles: Bush's legacy & America's next foreign policy
Description: During the eight years of George W. Bush{u2019}s presidency America{u2019}s grand strategy changed. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 profoundly altered America{u2019}s view of the world. But the manner of Bush{u2019}s response to the attacks is the subject of controversy and his major foreign policy decisions, especially the invasion of Iraq, are now considered to have been misjudged by the majority of Americans. Whether Bush will be ultimately judged a failure or not, it is likely that some of the main policies associated with his name will be pursued by his successor {u2013} be he Democrat or Republican. The European Union is the closest ally of the United States. The Europeans and the Americans are linked to each other by historical, economic and political ties like no other powers in the world. America{u2019}s foreign policy reflects on the Europeans too, in the sense that Europeans are often associated with America{u2019}s foreign policy in the eyes of the wider world. Indeed, the outside world often makes no distinction between the US and the EU, simply branding the two as {u2018}the West{u2019}. However, the vast majority of Europeans disapproved of Bush{u2019}s foreign policy, especially his decision to invade Iraq, and transatlantic relations consequently suffered during his presidency. The end of the Bush era creates an opportunity for a new departure and a renewed dialogue between the EU and the US. But European expectations of the change that the new president will bring about are often unrealistic. This paper gives an account of Bush{u2019}s legacy and its impact on the next US administration{u2019}s conduct of foreign policy. It examines the ideology and policies that have characterised Bush{u2019}s administration and maps out the likely future orientation of America{u2019}s foreign policy. The paper focuses on US relations with Iraq, Iran and China, as well as touching on Europe and Russia.
Notes: September 2008.

"QN-AA-08-111-EN-C"--Title page verso.

Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: Preface / Álvaro de Vasconcelos; title: Executive summary; title: Bush's revolution and its legacy. Introduction. The historical evolution of American foreign policy. Bush's worldview before 9/11. Bush's worldview after 9/11. The essence of the Bush revolution and its legacy. Conclusion; title: Iraq. Introduction. The war. After the war. Iraq in the 2008 elections. Conclusion; title: Iran. Introduction. The prelude : the Clinton period. The nuclear issue. Iran in the 2008 elections. Conclusion : what is Bush's Iran legacy?; title: China policy : no revolution. Introduction. Taiwan. North Korea. Trade and economy. Bush's legacy and China in the 2008 elections; title: Bush's legacy : the shape of things to come. Introduction. Bush's legacy and key areas of US foreign policy. The next foreign policy. Bush's legacy and foreign policy ideologies; title: Annex : Abbreviations.