Author

Dong Sun Lee is Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Korea University. His research interests include East Asian security and international relations theory. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago and conducted research for the East-West Center prior to his current position. His select publications include Power Shifts, Strategy, and War: Declining States and International Conflict (Routledge, 2008) and numerous articles in Asian Security, Australian Journal of International Affairs, Journal of East Asian Studies, and Korean Journal of Defense Analysis. He also contributed to edited volumes such as The Long Shadow: Nuclear Weapons and Security in 21st Century Asia (Stanford University Press, 2008) and The International Encyclopedia of Peace (Oxford University Press, 2009). His current research focuses on North Korea and alliances of the Asia-Pacific region. He can be reached at ds0306@korea.ac.kr.

Abstract

This paper aims to illuminate key characteristics of the Obama administration’s emerging security strategy. It argues that the new administration will likely adopt a strategy of restraint and balance. Use of force, albeit not excluded in principle, will be a last resort, while the promotion of democratic governance and value-based alliance will be sought with greater caution. In addition to these realist postures, the Obama administration also will utilize liberalist instruments including international institutions and economic assistance. Despite his strong preference for change, President Barack Obama will not be able to transform U.S. security policy drastically, due to severe structural constraints (such as the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the financial crisis) as well as his advocacy of bipartisanship.

The full text in Korean is available here