Bush’s strategies in foreign conflicts still unclear despite situations in China, Russia

By Bethany McCormack
Staff Reporter

With his presidency just beginning, President George W. Bush has already been involved in conflicts with Russia and China, putting his foreign policy in the spotlight.

Manochehr Dorraj, associate professor of political science, said Bush did not have a specific foreign policy strategy during his campaign for the presidency and, thus far, Bush’s style has yet to be revealed.

The recent conflict between China and the United States regarding the collision of a Chinese fighter jet and an American spy plane revealed the crisis-management style of his foreign policy, but that style could change, Dorraj said.

“(Bush’s) style hasn’t been pro-active, but reactive,” Dorraj said. “However, (his foreign policy) remains to be seen. We may see a new strategy, but it could require the eruption of a new crisis, which would then define new strategies.”

Kristin Holt, a sophomore political science and Spanish major, said she thinks Bush has been too passive in dealing with other countries.

“He’s being hesitant because he doesn’t want to mess up,” she said. “I’d like to see him take the reigns a little more.”

Regarding the plane crash in China, Holt said that she thinks Bush should have been more assertive in obtaining the return of the American crew the day the plane landed in China.Bush took a more assertive approach during the conflict in Russia earlier this year. According to an article at (CNN.com), after the arrest of alleged spy Robert Hanssen in February, Bush expelled nearly 50 Russian delegates from the United States, upsetting some Russian administrators.

Dorraj said he does not think the conflicts with Russia and China will permanently damage relations with those countries because, over time, other events will surface to foster positive relations with those countries.

He said candidates in an election often make promises they might not be able to uphold in order to distinguish themselves from other candidates, and this may be the case with Bush.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, during his campaign, Bush said he would remove U.S. forces from peacekeeping missions and would shun future missions outside of America’s strategic interest. However, since taking office Bush has not removed American forces and instead, has said America will abide by its commitments to the countries where American forces are stationed.

Bush now realizes, however, that the United States has much to gain by peace in the Middle East, and the United States may now play an active role in the process, Dorraj said.

Holt said the major issues going on now will influence the direction Bush’s foreign policy will take.

“Inaction is one type of policy,” she said. “He’s playing a new game in a new era.”

Bethany McCormack
b.s.mccormack@student.tcu.edu