George W. Bush’s Exterior Policy

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George W. Bush’s exterior policy pursues the three great priorities that have dominated U.S. exterior relations since the end of the Cold War : to avoid letting the country be seduced by the isolationist temptation, as the USSR, the only enemy matching the U.S. in measure, has disappeared ; to make sure that the new international system, that is, « globalization », serves the U.S. interests, by promoting market economy ; to maintain the leading position of « Empire of the Middle », or hegemonic power, into which they had been propelled. Within these general lines, the Bush Administration has always asserted its determination to act without feeling constrained either by the approaches its Democrat predecessors had privileged, or by pressure from its partners and allies. At the same time, it has endeavored to avoid the most negative reactions such an attitude was prone to provoke. Yet President Bush’s exterior policy has been constrained by inside questioning of some of his decisions. Despite the modifications the attacks on September 11th have caused to the modalities of the U.S. exterior policy (the constitution of a new coalition and widespread popular support to the American President), George W. Bush still attempts thoroughly to maintain the upper hand on the military campaign he initiated and to privilege the sole American national interest. – Summary AFRI-2002