What can we expect from the next US administration?

Three days from today all of us will know who the next president of the United State will be. Be it Barack Obama or the ageing Republican nominee, Senator John McCain of Arizona, the winner will have a lot on his plate. The United States remains the only super power with a considerable impact on many countries policies, be they domestic or international issues. Thus, it is against this background that the foreign policy experience and knowledge of the presidential contender has taken a centre stage in the elections. The foreign policy experience and expertise of the contenders has only taken a back seat following the heavy impact the international financial crisis has had on the economy and consequently the lives of the United States people from all walks of life. The importance of the rest of the world to the policy agenda of anyone who occupies the White House was aptly demonstrated by Obama’s choice of the veteran Senator Joe Biden. Having been criticised for having little experience on the national scene as a politician, and by implication on issues to do with foreign policy, Obama made the choice of Biden as a running mate with the knowledge that he would need some one with a longtime experience in issues of foreign policy. Indeed, it is because of the fact that the Republicans are seen to be stronger than their Democratic counterparts that they were able to win two consecutive terms under George Bush. Even Bush, during his campaign to become President in 2000, sought to portray himself as a leader with a strong foreign policy agenda. He took the route that Obama has taken in his choice of a running mate. At the time he decided to appoint Dick Cheney. It will be recalled that Cheney had been Secretary of Defence in the administration of George W.H Bush. This was followed up by the appointment of several neo-cons like Don Rumsfeld and Paul Wolfwitz positions that would allow them to influence global issues. Though they were later to be discredited for their foreign policy decisions especially as regards to the war on terror in Iraq, the Republicans seem to enjoy an upper hand when it comes to issues of foreign policy. Even on the African front, the republican administration of Bush seems to be well appreciated. This is because of the money they willingly put to the cause of fighting Aids and malaria on the continent. Through PEPFAR a lot of money was committed to this cause and there are results to show for it. But all that said many people on the African continent though they are not voters have taken an extra-ordinary interest in this round of voting in the US. The Democrats have historically been known to have the interests of the black community be it in the US or Africa at the core of their agenda. But more so this time round, the prospect of an Obama presidency seems to be something many black people have taken up with a lot of gusto. Pollsters predict that more than 70 per cent of African Americans are going to be voting in this historic election. Many blacks have something to feel good about Obama. It remains to be seen what the priorities of the next administration will be. Given the fact that the US economy is in a free fall, it is highly unlikely that an Obama presidency, has a lot in store for Africa, despite his African background. For example, it will be very improbable that any administration that takes office will take the unending conflict in our Great Lakes region very seriously. Given the debacle that has become of the US intervention in Iraq, the next President will be interested in withdrawing his forces and also scaling down on US international involvement. Therefore, be it Obama or McCain in the White House, and the historic nature of the elections, there is little for non-Americans to gain or lose from this election in real policy terms. Contact: frank2kagabo@yahoo.com