Book review : Limited achievements : Obama's foreign policy

Title of book being reviewed: Limited achievements : Obama's foreign policy.

Laïdi (Sciences Po, France) provides an interesting and nuanced take on President Obama’s foreign policy. Drawing on a range of sources, from congressional hearings, press accounts, and interviews to actual outcomes, Laïdi argues that Obama’s foreign policy is largely rooted in a realist vision of international relations. That is, although Obama, unlike his immediate predecessor, does not flaunt an ambitious grand strategy, he nevertheless, in keeping with precedent, wants to preserve America’s great power status—albeit in a more benign and internationally accepted way. Clearly, Obama does not want the US to serve as a global policeman, but neither does the president have any intention of letting America lose its preeminent global position. Overall, Laïdi makes a persuasive case. This important and provocative book is a useful addition to the growing literature on post-George W. Bush US foreign policy; it is highly recommended to all students of international relations and contemporary US foreign policy.