Foreign Policy, the Cornerstone of 2016

If 2012 was the election of domestic issues and four more years, 2016 will be the election ruled by foreign policy and change.

The midterm elections sent a resounding message to Obama and fellow Democrats it was time for a change. According to a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, nearly 60% of Americans are ready to make a change in 2016. While only 32% of respondents believe the country is headed in the right direction, Obama’s numbers when it comes to his foreign policy are just as dismal with 36% approval rating.

Obama’s lackluster approach to foreign policy is sure to be a sticking point in the upcoming presidential election. While most presidential elections center around economy and domestic issues, the 2016 cycle will be different.

During the 2008 election, Obama campaigned on the promise of ending the war in Iraq and bringing home our troops. Nearly three years later, Obama kept his promise and withdrew troops leaving behind a welcome mat for Islamic terrorists known as ISIS to march in seizing control and gaining territory while terrorizing people in the process.

ISIS has used social media as a vehicle to spread hatred and easily carved out a niche as the Lindsay Lohan of terrorist organizations, completely unpredictable and terrifying to be near. The administration has employed an ostrich-like strategy by ignoring the situation and instead has pivoted to try and broker a nuclear deal with Iran. Obama’s talks with Iran has caused many lawmakers to worry and Americans wonder if Obama is truly committed to maintaining strong ties with Israel or if his agenda with Iran is driven by a personal animus.

The president’s continued misguided foreign policy approach has laid a cornerstone for the upcoming presidential race in 2016, and those wishing to occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue have taken note. Brushing up on their foreign policy stance, possible contenders are tightening up their foreign policy rhetoric and focusing in on Iran as the hot button topic of 2016.