FPPFO's Foreign Policy Recommendations for the Democratic Party's 2008 Platform

As part of the Obama campaign's initiative to have Americans across the country contribute to the party platform for the current election cycle, Foreign Policy Professionals for Obama organized six platform meetings each tackling a different aspect of foreign policy. Each meeting, gathering experts in the field and enthusiasts from all different walks of life, discussed, debated and agreed on language that should help guide the party's vision on a particular foreign policy topic. These recommendations were submitted on behalf of FPPFO to the Obama campaign for consideration for the 2008 Democratic Party Platform (note: the "Advancing Women Living in Poverty Worldwide" platform meeting was co-sponsored by Women for Obama).

The final recommendations are provided below. Enjoy, and thank you to the many, many, many of you who contributed to this fascinating and groundbreaking process.

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Refining American’s Role in the World

In today’s interconnected world, domestic problems require international solutions. At this moment, America has a unique opportunity to redefine how those outside our borders perceive us and to engage the rest of the world in a new approach that emphasizes our common humanity. We can once again take a leadership role in addressing the major challenges of our time both domestically and abroad thereby enhancing our security, economic prosperity, and welfare at home.

Our country’s prosperity and wealth are directly intertwined with the global economy and depend on free and fair trade as well as working for the global good. Our security must be paramount but can only be achieved through cooperation with other nations and engagement in peace-building efforts around the world. The U.S must recognize that an increasing domestic and global demand for energy resources will require our leadership in innovative approaches and collaboration with global partners to develop alternative energy sources and consumption patterns. We must respect the values that have been the foundation of our nation by renewing our commitment to human rights and the rule of law and complying with our international obligations.

The Middle East
Restoring US Relevance Through Diplomacy: the New Approach - The U.S. should engage in a robust foreign policy that aims at leveraging the full potential of our influence to promote sustainable economic and social development in line with the aspirations of and priorities set by the people of the region. This New Approach to U.S. relevance in the Middle East would utilize all avenues of engagement including principled, direct government talks, citizen diplomacy, and cultural and educational exchanges, as well as all of our strengths, not only in the military field but also in energy and development, among others. In doing so, America should lead in solving the host of conflicts afflicting the region by restoring and mastering its role as mediator.

Reengaging Fairly and Effectively to Resolve the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - The U.S. should embark in constructive and energetic engagement from day one on a path toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This engagement recognizes the need for mutual security for both parties and supports the strengthening and development of civil society and political institutions as necessary to the long-term viability of peace. The Democratic Party recognizes that peace requires support for an economically and politically viable Palestinian state. The U.S. should firmly reject the use of violence as a problem-solving mechanism in the conflict, and should remain committed to restoring America's effectiveness, fairness, and respect for human rights in the region. This commitment includes affirming the rights of refugees to be repatriated or compensated.

Iran - Recent behavior by the Iranian leadership defying the international community over its nuclear program is unacceptable. That said, the U.S. should engage in direct talks with the Iranian government in an effort to resolve the standoff. The Democratic Party rejects the failed policy of isolation, and America should work towards normalizing diplomatic relations with Iran in an effort to help the country become, once again, a constructive member of regional politics and of the international community.

U.S. Engagement in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities
With clear strategic goals, consistent policy, and attentive leadership, America under a Barack Obama administration will have the chance to engage Africa as never before. An Obama administration should:

• Help accelerate Africa’s integration into the global economy, through increased American investment in key agricultural, SME, and other initiatives;

• Increase security on the continent by revitalizing multilateral diplomatic initiatives, in order to bring chronic conflicts to an end, mitigate political crises, and prevent the outbreak of new fighting. Included within these efforts is the need for robust diplomatic engagement with China;

• Promote democratic accountability across the continent, but not as an externally-imposed, specifically American concept, but rather as an endogenous solution to some of Africa’s chronic political problems;

• Clearly and unambiguously re-anchor America’s assistance and development efforts within the civilian agencies most properly motivated and mandated to conduct these policies. Development specialists, rather than military or security agencies, should lead America’s development efforts in Africa; and

• Pursue regional approaches to policy in Africa.

NATO and Europe
A close partnership with Europe is one of the most important bedrocks of U.S. foreign policy. The Democratic Party believes that countries on both sides of the Atlantic must reaffirm their commitments to collective security, but must also collaborate and develop new capabilities and partnerships to address 21st century challenges such as stabilization and reconstruction operations, nuclear non-proliferation, energy security, climate change, radical extremism, global health issues, drug trafficking and global poverty.

NATO is the most enduring security alliance of democracies in history. At its 60th anniversary summit in 2009, it is imperative that the alliance revisit its overarching strategic mission to address the increasingly global challenges of a post-Sept. 11th world. The United States must work with its NATO allies to guarantee stability and growing prosperity in Afghanistan – the central front of the war on terrorism. The alliance must also remain open to qualified countries desiring to join its ranks.

Furthermore, we believe that the strength of transatlantic relationship will be reinforced by a strong European Union. Greater European integration is in the interest of the United States and the world.

Democracy and Human Rights
Support for democracy and human rights is compatible with our ideals and interests. Democratic government contributes to human development, mitigates conflict and extremism and helps foster stability. This, in turn, contributes to U.S. national security.

We recognize that democracy will look different in different places, but that peoples around the world share its core values and practices. Consistent support for democracy and human rights will restore U.S. credibility and leadership in the world.

An Obama Administration should:

• Demonstrate respect for rule of law at home by closing Guantanamo Bay and ceasing torture-like practices and abroad by adhering to international treaties;

• Work with allies and international institutions to promote respect for human rights;
  

• Ensure that U.S. policy, diplomacy and assistance are linked so that they mutually reinforcing;

• Integrate democracy and human rights into broader development initiatives; and

• Engage the private sector as an accountable partner in countries where they invest.

Advancing Women Living in Poverty Worldwide - Co-sponsored by Women for Obama
Over 50 years of experience around the world shows that women are key to building lasting peace, health and prosperity in our country and throughout our global community. Improving the lives of women and girls is not only a moral imperative but is also smart economics. Investing in women is effective because women invest in their families and communities, ending the cycle of poverty and creating healthier, wealthier, and more democratic societies. To further this vision, an Obama Administration should:

• Create an agency, free of political and military demands, to deliver U.S. assistance to poor developing countries effectively and efficiently, evaluated to ensure that development efforts reach the needs of women as well as men in developing countries. The new agency could support an Interagency Council on Women to coordinate and ensure the maximum benefit of U.S. efforts to help women and girls worldwide.

• Renew our partnership with the global community to advance women's lives and reduce poverty through frameworks, such as the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, and restore funding to the United Nations Population Fund.

• Ensure that we reflect American citizens' desires to help others in the most effective, lasting way possible by focusing U.S. assistance efforts abroad on alleviating poverty as an end in itself.

• Work in partnership with other nations to make the elimination of violence against women, the advancement of women's human rights, the promotion of good health including reproductive health, and the ability to secure women's economic empowerment central to any development investments.