U.S. Foreign Policy Seminar
On Wednesday, November 4th, former U.S Ambassador and BU Professor Robert Loftis joined Humphrey Fellows for a lecture and discussion on U.S. foreign policy. Professor Loftis began by summarizing the history of America’s deep engagement with other countries, most of which has been focused on national security.
Ambassador Loftis also explained that, in all of its foreign policy decisions but especially in the Middle East, the U.S. has to navigate a complex web of contradictory interests, expectations, and possible consequences. No matter which path the U.S. takes, there will always be disapproval and a sense of betrayal on the part of one country or another. There is no single policy that can work for every situation, and policy often has to be made on a case-by-case basis.
Professor Loftis fears that the U.S. intervening again in the Middle East would have terrible consequences for both the U.S. and Middle Eastern countries. As an outsider, the U.S. can help by offering financial support, training, and other means of assistance—but that citizens and leaders in the Middle East should take the lead in resolving conflicts.
Ambassador Loftis also used a J-curve to illustrate the process a country undergoes when transforming itself into a democracy. Such countries first go through a period of instability as they try to figure out how to fit democracy to their traditional values. Countries with underlying values and systems favorable to democracy do not experience such severe instability as others, but all go through a period of struggle. Khaing, our Fellow from Myanmar, noted that this struggle is currently underway in her country.
For all of the Fellows, it was an engaging experience discussing foreign policy with a former U.S. Ambassador and distinguished BU professor.