In this totally surreal (an understatement) pre-electoral chaos, President Obama spoke candidly in the Atlantic Magazine interview to Jeffrey Goldberg about America's allies and international endeavors. While it might be refreshing to hear for once the voice of (his) reason rather than the noise of fury, this impressionistic rendering of a more elaborate Obama doctrine in foreign affairs is remarkable.
He does not spare allies, the Saudis, France, the United Kingdom, while he remains strangely aloof regarding Ukraine, China, the Middle East and ISIL, which he compares to "the Joker" (!) in a Batman movie. He also confesses to be aggravated by "Free Riders", who place constant demands on the United States.
He does not hide his contempt for an activist foreign policy establishment, defending instead a measured approach, which also takes into account geo-political realities that are close to others' interests. In proclaiming in unambiguous terms those views, he distances himself, by implication, from America's claim to "exceptionalism". In so many words, he extricates the United States from a leadership role erga omnes.
He is correct in recognizing that the unipolar world has been overtaken, but he gives the impression of capitalizing on his sole clairvoyance, and to rule by distance and not by convincing. One might argue that in doing so he goes for arrogance instead of the more messianic mantra (with successes and mistakes) of yesterday, which created nevertheless an illusion of shared vision and responsibility. He recognizes that he has failed sometimes in communicating views or sharing emotions. This should not prevent one from coming to the conclusion that facts speak louder than words: this very gifted man is a cold medium.
The Atlantic magazine interview is coherent and cerebral, as could be expected.
The contrast with what is currently being said by both campaigns is illuminating.
Unfortunately, the projectors light up a mindset more willing to ignore others than to engage. When a doctrine of sorts becomes a monologue, it dies of lack of counterpart. The President is already regretted for his touch of intellectual class.
He will be equally blamed for his lack of warmth.
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