National Discrimination

From Eastern Asia to the Middle East, from Europe to South America, U.S. President Barack Obama started his overwhelming spring foreign-policy tactics with his brightest smile. Media from the West and East all raised eyebrows in reaction to Obama’s endless acclamations on this “skillful strength” in foreign policy.

Other than showing his strength, Obama also led America to abandon national discrimination in its foreign policy. Yes, other than gender discrimination and racial discrimination, there is also national discrimination in this world.

Obama showed goodwill to America’s rivals right after he took office. This implies that the previous government had no intention of mending relationships with its enemies, and seemed to purposely shun others. Obama initiated positive gestures to Cuba and Venezuela, which caused suspicion that America might lift the 47-year-old economic sanctions against Cuba. Cuba was Russia’s tool for fighting against America during the Cold War. But since America could not fight Russia, it targeted Cuba instead, which resulted in a trade embargo for nearly half a century.

Look at international conflicts of the past. Small nations usually face actual sanctions, but large nations that commit the same offense receive only “condemnation”. A variety of policies have revealed tacit national discrimination.

North Korea has pointed to this fact often. According to North Korea, every country has the right to use space, but why does only North Korea suffer sanctions that prohibit it from launching satellites.

As we all know, the reason the world powers wanted to impose sanctions on North Korea is because they suspected North Korea was conducting a nuclear test under the guise of launching satellites. However, at some point, limiting some countries’ freedom to acquire nuclear technology is indeed committing national discrimination. Hence, Obama should come out with the concept of eliminating nuclear power worldwide. If no county has nuclear power, Iran and North Korea, who have been involved in conflicts regarding nuclear threats, will have nothing else to complain about. This is easier said than done.

Obama’s appearance has weakened racial prejudice in the U.S. How far could his influence go? Could it help to reduce national discrimination and mend the conflicts that have arisen from it?