Obama breaks with Bush foreign policy

US: With more style than substance, President Barack Obama has broken with his predecessor George W. Bush's foreign policy by adopting a humbler tone and reaching out to former foes.

What is clear is that the Obama administration is demonstrating a new openness to use multilateral diplomacy to resolve longstanding problems - while so far keeping much of Bush's foreign policy intact.

In its first 100 days, the administration has stressed the need to listen to allies and others to solve the global financial crisis and surmount daunting challenges in Afghanistan, Iran, the Middle East and North Korea. It has also vowed to push the "reset button" in its relations with Russia, which hit a two-decade low during the Bush administration.

In a flurry of trips to Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, Obama and his chief diplomat Hillary Clinton have been quick to admit that Washington had made errors and cannot solve problems without help from others.

Such self-criticism has elicited praise from those abroad who recall an "arrogant" Bush dictating terms, but has has drawn fire from those at home who accuse them of "running down" America.

Obama and Clinton have appointed special envoys for the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, North Korea, Eurasian energy issues and climate change.

Washington, Sunday, AFP