Abstract

The states’ foreign policy is a function of various national abilities and power and it is directly associated with the elements of the countries’ national power. The changes in the levels of the countries’ national power brings changes about in their foreign policies for a reason or another. In the aftermath of the attack on 11^th of September, Bush started wars in Middle East with the excuse of the fight against terrorism. The result of these wars was not favored by the US and a lot of hefty costs were imposed thereon. Barack Obama who had taken the rudder of power in his hands with the slogan of “change” was forced to revise the US’s foreign policy considering the then circumstances and with the goal of adapting to the new post-crisis domestic and international conditions. In other words, the essence of the changes in Obama government’s foreign policy is laid on efforts for adapting to the new domestic and international conditions and requirements, reconstruction of the crisis-stricken economy and repair of the US’s international prestige. The present article aims at investigating the US’s foreign policy change during Obama’s presidency and its effect on the Middle East and terrorism issue based on a case study through documentary theory proposition; the data collection has been based on library research and note-taking. Based thereon, meanwhile investigating the general strategy of Obama’s foreign policy and the role of the soft and smart power therein, the present study tries analyzing his foreign policy in the Middle East as well as his strategy against terrorism.