Foreign policy of the Barak Obama administration: A new rhetoric or a new course?

The author analyses the foreign policy of the United States during the first nine months of the new administration. The assessment takes into consideration President Barak Obama's programme and statements, concrete actions in bilateral and multilateral arenas, emerging proposals for the organizational and legislative changes within relevant departments, as well as the legacy of previous administration, constrains related to the political and administrative system and to traditional self-perception of the role of United States in world affairs. Obama's rhetoric and style are substantially different from its predecessor, as he emphasizes global interdependence and necessity for focusing on common interests. So far, diplomatic solutions are prioritized over regime change and force. It is still unclear whether Obama wants to manage transition from uni-polar to multi-polar world, or only to legitimize American exceptionalism by consulting with broader range of actors.