Hot Topic
Abstract
Nearly eight years after President Obama took office promising to extend an “unclenched fist” to some traditional U.S. foes, he has fulfilled that promise in many ways. The United States and other powers brokered a deal that lifted sanctions on Iran in return for Tehran curtailing its nuclear program, while Cuba and the United States have renewed diplomatic relations. However, the resiliency of the Islamic State terrorist group has complicated Obama’s efforts to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The next president likely will inherit a long-term military campaign against Islamic extremism; a continuing refugee crisis emanating from the Middle East and an ever-isolated North Korea with growing nuclear capabilities. The presumptive presidential nominees, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, hold starkly different foreign policy positions.