Which Country Does Obama Talk about the Most?

By using this interesting research tool on The Washington Post’s website, researcher Steve Clemons was able to calculate the number of references made to about 40 countries in the major speeches, interviews and political statements of Barack Obama, from January 1, 2009, to July 12, 2010. The countries in question are G-20 members, those mentioned in the Failed States Index in Foreign Policy and other countries deemed strategically important by the researcher.

The following represents the number of times that each country was mentioned in the given time period, and below, some remarks…

Afghanistan (70); China (58); Iraq (54); India (46); Iran (43); Pakistan (35); Russia (28); Germany (25); Mexico (25); South Korea (25); Canada (23); Israel (19); North Korea (19); France (17); Haiti (17); Japan (17); Palestinian Territories (17); South Africa (17); Brazil (16); United Kingdom (8); Australia (6); Indonesia (6); Saudi Arabia (6); Italy (5); Kenya (5); Somalia (5); Turkey (5); Congo (3); Guinea (3); Syria (3); Yemen (3); Argentina (2); Cuba (2); Nigeria (2); Sudan (2); Zimbabwe (2); Burma (1); Ivory Coast (1); Ethiopia (1); Niger (1); Venezuela (1); Central African Republic (0); Chad (0).

Now, assuming the simple mention of a country by President Obama is some sort of indication of its importance to his foreign policy, here are some general remarks inspired by the figures:

In the position of honor, let us begin with Canada, who places rather well at No. 11 (23 mentions). One might expect a greater interest on the part of the United States for its dear northern neighbor, with whom they share the longest non-militarized border in the world. However, you have to believe the United States has more pressing concerns on the other side of the world. And besides, their only other neighbor, Mexico (25 mentions), is essentially tied with Canada. You can bet, however, that Bush, as a proud Texan, had a soft spot for Mexico, mentioning it much more often than Canada.

Clearly, the “problem countries” hold the predominant position in the words of the president. War is certainly a driving force, given that Afghanistan owns the top spot (70 mentions), with Iraq close behind in third place (54 mentions). Countries with whom the United States has tense relations are also well-represented: Iran is No. 5 (43 mentions), followed directly by Pakistan (35 mentions). Next, we find North Korea at No. 13 (19 mentions).

The emerging powers (Brazil, Russia, India and China) occupy a nearly equal position to those countries at war or those who have tense relations with the United States. China is in second place (58 mentions), just behind Afghanistan. India follows at No. 4 (46 mentions), with Russia at No. 7 (28 mentions) and Brazil much further back, at No. 19 (16 mentions).

Israel and Palestine seem to form an inseparable duo. They come in at No. 12 and No. 14 (19 and 17 mentions, respectively). The Palestinian Territories are tied with four other countries.

The earthquake in Haiti vaulted the country to a relatively high number of references in the speeches of Obama, and it is tied at No. 14 with Palestine, France, Japan and South Africa.

In his speeches, devoted primarily to “problem countries” and to the emerging powers, the president seldom mentions America’s traditional allies. One must wait until the No. 8 slot to find one of their names, Germany (25 mentions).

The United Kingdom, who supposedly maintains “special relations” with the United States, does not arrive until much later, at No. 20 (8 mentions). Is this relationship becoming less and less special?

In Latin America, Cuba and Venezuela — the self-proclaimed enemies of the American “imperialists” — show up very rarely in the mouth of Obama (2 mentions and 1 mention, respectively). And this, despite all the attention accorded Hugo Chavez by the media. It seems that Obama has chosen the weapon of disinterest.