Jimmy Carter Calls Obama's Foreign Policy Success 'Minimal'

[still_one]

Former President Jimmy Carter said recently that he finds President Barack Obama's success on the world stage to be "minimal."

“I think he’s done some good things domestically like the health program and so forth, but on the world stage, just to be as objective about it as I can, I can’t think of many nations in the world where we have a better relationship now than we did when he took over,” he said in a conversation with Aspen Institute CEO Walter Isaacson last week.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/01/jimmy-carter-obama-foreign-policy_n_7706210.html

I could not disagree more with President Carter's view on this.

From bin Laden, to Libya's chemical weapons, to the potential of the Iran negotiations.

He goes out of his way to credit Kerry with Libya and Iran, and though Kerry must be given credit for success and negotiation progress, to ignore the President as part of that is so off the mark, it makes one wonder exactly what is President Carters' problem?

Also, signing the historic pact with China on the environment, and restoring relations with Cuba should not be brushed under the rug either

[Rex]

1. Cuba? Iran? NOT starting a new Cold War with Russia?

I love Jimmy Carter, but in my opinion he is way off base here.

[still_one]

2. I agree. Maybe he was over tired when he made those comments

[Rex]

9. Probably so, I hope he really does not feel that way.

[geek tragedy]

11. Climate deals with Brazil and India. Nuclear arms treaty with Russia.

Nuclear deal with India.

[Rex]

13. Getting us out of Iraq and sorta back in. He could do something about Afghanistan

imo. How long are we going to stay there? Many people are still venomously offended to drone strikes. Gitmo.

My real point is that I think he stayed out of starting a new Cold War, which probably is one of the most underrated and vitally important aspects of his presidency and global stability imo.

[geek tragedy]

3. Here's a list of countries with whom relations have improved since Obama replaced Bush:

Everyone but Israel and Russia.


Edited to add: Also Pakistan, for killing their esteemed guest in Abbottobad.

[still_one]

5. and even in regard to Russia, the lines of communication are still open

[geek tragedy]

7. Well, he's not gazing into Pooty Poot's eyes and finding a soul mate

like Bush.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

4. Just not being Bush improved relationships.

[still_one]

6. That is soooooo true

[HassleCat]

8. Carter has a mean streak

And I don't know why. Maybe he's pissed because so many people refer to him as the worst president, although he's definitely been bumped further down that list by GW Bush. It is true we don't give Carter the credit he deserves for brokering Mideast peace deals, arms limitations, etc. What he's not taking into account is that Obama is dealing with different internal actors than Carter did. And many nations are still angry at us because Bush told them to go piss up a rope when they offered to help post 9-11.

[Jefferson23]

10. Iran will be monumental for many reasons and will hopefully set a different course for

US foreign policy.

Iraq was/is completely broken, devastated...where is the playbook to put that back together, President Carter?

Cuba, excellent decision.

I do agree with Carter on other aspects, especially Libya..horrendous decision.

[still_one]

14. Removal of chemical weapons from Syria

[Prism]

12. I'm surprised he forgot Cuba

It's a massive deal and, IMO, one of the President's finest accomplishments.

It also has the potential to set the stage for better relations in our hemisphere. I know we tend to focus on the Middle East and China, but we have a lot of work to do in our own backyard, so to speak. That Honduras business did not recommend us.