II) Obama's program : 1.What were his decisions ? How is he going to apply it ?

Foreign Policy : Sweet Dreams

IRAQ

“I said that I would remove our combat troops from Iraq in 16 months, with the understanding that it might be necessary — likely to be necessary — to maintain a residual force to provide potential training, logistical support, to protect our civilians in Iraq,” Mr. Obama said in December as he introduced his national security team. This declaration shows how much the elected president was influenced on his promises. We have no idea of the size of the "residual force" he will left behind. All the incoming plan will be decided between Obama and his National security adviser Richard Danzig, then with the Us military planners and to conclude with the Iraqi government. Today some private projection of the military planners plan to leave between 30,000 and 50,000 American in Iraq even beyond 2011. That could be explained by the fact that Iraqi troops are reliant on the American force in Iraq for training, supplies, logistics, intelligence and transportation for a long time to come. Obama was careful during his campaign by explaining he would only withdraw the combat troops, and leave behind some reserve troops. The more complete version of the piece of advice given to Obama by one of his advisers : http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/us/politics/04military.html

AFGHANISTAN

The Us objectives in the region is determined by two things : the deep reasons of the war in Afghanistan and the timetable which was decided to reach those goals. The threat which is represented by Al-Qaeda must be prevented and war is an useful way to do it but strengthening the economy and the state of Aghanistan is a long-term objective which won't be reach by a war. That's why the political cooperation with the talibans is important. But linked with the Pakistani problem, it's a more global solution which must be found. The more complete version of the piece of advice given to Obama by another of his advisers and an expert of the region : http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20081001faessay87603-p0/barnett-r-rubin-ahmed-rashid/from-great-game-to-grand-bargain.html

The social and Economic policy : The challenges

The new president of the United States will have to satisfy the expectations of the Americans in terms of living conditions and to respond quickly after the anger Bush leaves behind him. He is head to head with the economic crisis he must resolve whereas he promised during the elections to reduce the inequalities. Next January, the new president and the persons he chose will have an imperative assignment : reconcile America with his political leaders and also with the rest of the world. Indeed George W. Bush isn’t the only one Americans don’t trust in anymore : If less than 30% Americans are satisfied with there president there are even less who are pleased with their senators (18% according to the latest survey). When the president said « trust me , we know where Sadam Hussein’s weapons are hidden », when he said « trust me , we will save New Orlean », when he said « trust me, our economy is safe », Congress didn’t react and let it be, declares Moses Wilson, the leader of the organisation of students supporting Barack Obama in Virginia.

1) Help Wall Street

Paulson Plan was voted at the beginning of October by the American Congress. 700 billions dollars (540 billions euro) will be use to reestablish the trust between the companies and buy back the unpaid credits.

2) Find funds for the banks and the insurance companies Lacking of cash because of the unpaid credits, those institution asked the government for becoming one of their shareholders. They also need stability because of the sinking of the value of their investment in real state.

3) Fight again recession

In the worst economic crisis of the US since 1929, the incoming government will have to keep people buying consumer goods whereas in the same time the offer for credit collaspses so the only way to give people money to spend is to give them a job. That's why Obama planned a "New new deal", which, as the first one, employ people to built new infrastructures. This programs should resolve the thorny problem of the unpaid credit and the uncredible sells of houses but it costs : 85 bilions, will raise the national debt to 80% of the GDP.

4) Fight against inequalities in standard of living.

In order to survive to the recession, companies will contribute to the increase of the unemployment. In october, 157 000 jobs were lost, more than economists expected to. But everybody did not benefit from the lastest years of growth. Since 1974, the median pay in the US increase of only 0,1%. That's why Obama wants to reduce the taxes for 95% of the Americans who won the less, and increase it for the others. In order to fight against unemployment, Obama promises a gift of 3 500 $ for each job created in the Us in the next two years. As 46 milions of americans have no health insurance, Obama also expects from each company to pay his employee one. This is not a gift for health companies which will have to reduce the costs of their medicine which are voluntarily more expensive than in the other developed countries, for the same results.