Syria will test the durability of Obama’s grand strategy of foreign policy restraint

Only a few weeks ago, commentators expected a showdown between President Obama and Congress over military intervention in Syria. Now, after a chance proposal to disarm the regime of its chemical weapons, Obama faces accusations of incoherence over foreign policy. Michael Lumbers reviews Obama’s handling of the Syrian conflict, arguing that his foreign policy agenda is a subtle but unmistakable move away from America’s post-war interventionist role. In this light, the agreement on Syria is the best possible outcome for Obama. However, given the current instability of the Middle East, it remains to be seen if this strategy is sustainable.