Ineffective Public Policy

Public Policy: President Obama's foreign policy towards Russia has attracted huge concern among policymakers and the public in light of recent events in Ukraine. Russia's aggression has challenged the administration's foreign policy since it is in the process of gulping up the Ukraine one step at a time with very minimal cost and less risk. Obama's foreign policy towards Russia has been accused of enabling the gradual acquisition of Ukraine rather than hindering it.

This article focuses on examining this policy and demonstrating why it is largely ineffective, especially in light of President Obama's plans to promote a policy for a globalized 21st Century. In addition to assessing the ineffectiveness of this foreign policy, the article also proposes some of the changes that could be made to promote and enhance its effectiveness. Russia's aggression that has enabled the country to slowly acquire Ukraine is an issue that has generated huge global concern and contributed to critical assessment of U.S. foreign policy towards Russia.

While the United States considered Russia as a partner because of the replacement of bitter divides of the Cold War with partnership, unity and peace, the recent events have shown19th-century behavior that resulted in war between countries. The president's vision of Russia as a strategic partner has been disrupted by the annexation of Crimea by Russia and increase of Russian troops along the Ukrainian border (Gaouette, 2014). The existing U.S. foreign policy towards Russia is enabling the gradual acquisition of Ukraine rather than preventing or hindering it.

The ineffectiveness of this foreign policy is evident in the fact that it is likely to enable the shifting of power in Eastern Europe and will enhance the chances of a future big war. The current state of this foreign policy is fueled by the lack of understanding of Vladimir Putin, the United States adversary, by both President Obama and John Kerry, the Secretary of State. Since President Obama looks at Putin from his own perspective, the U.S.

foreign policy is developed to counter Russia based on how President Obama thinks Russia should behave (Maroscher, 2014). However, Putin can be considered as a risk-averse leader who wants to develop Russia into a larger and more powerful country and would go to the extent of using murder if it serves his goals since he is a son of communism and the Soviet Union.

Moreover, Putin's recent actions such as refusal to attend the Group of Eight meeting are clear indications and public warning that Russia does not consider partnership with the U.S. As a major priority. These events demonstrate the need for changes in U.S. foreign policy towards Russia to prevent its expansion and lessen the risk of a future big war.

While the use of military force has been proposed as a measure for dealing with this issue, it would jeopardize Russian cooperation and roll back some of foreign policy gains that have been achieved in the recent past. The major change that President Obama's administration should consider in its relations with Russia is using economic sanctions. However, the effectiveness of such sanctions would require the United States to work closely with the European Union.

This is mainly because E.U's economic ties with Russia, especially as an energy source exceed those of the United States. President Obama should take advantage of E.U.'s interest.