Is Kenya just one of Obama's projects for a foreign policy legacy?

The recent detente in US Iranian relations reflects a significant shift in American foreign policy in the Middle East with a pragmatic assessment of the reality of regional geopolitics and the acceptance of the limits of American power in the region. The Obama administration is banking on shared threats and mutual interest with Iran as America looks to check Iranian influence in the region, specifically via its nuclear policy which Iran sees as deterrence to foreign aggression. Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon is a fait accompli. The reality on the ground in Iran is not if but when Iran develops a nuclear weapon. With this in mind, Washington has had to have a reevaluation of its Iran policy.

Geostrategic ally, the Obama Administration is gambling on being able to check the militaristic advances of Iran’s nuclear program with incentives of the easing of international sanctions. Washington is hoping that Tehran will abandon its militaristic adventurism based on easing international sanctions to help it support its domestic economy.

Critics of the Obama policy point out that Iran will simply use the extra revenue generated from the easing of sanctions to accelerate its nuclear program. They also contend that the deal does not entirely dismantle Iran’s nuclear program. In addition to this, the feeling among some foreign policy analysts is that a nuclear empowered Iran will simply accelerate the arms race in the region between Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel and Turkey trying to check Iran’s military advances.

Iran’s rapprochement with Washington can also be viewed in terms of Obama’s effort to establish a legacy in the twilight years of his administration. He has no burden of reelection in 2016 and is free to shape foreign policy as he deems fit to mold his foreign policy legacy. In this vein, Obama’s bold moves to establish diplomatic relations with “rogue nations” like Iran and Cuba can be seen in this light. Washington also hopes that better relations with Iran will lead to movement on negotiations with Iran on Americans imprisoned in Iran for many years.

The critical part of the Iranian nuclear deal with the US and the “Big Five” world powers will be the oversight, monitoring and enforcement of the deal with the United Nations. It is still not clear whether Iran will choose to comply with the letter on the demands on the agreement. After all, Iran can still enrich Uranium as part of the deal.

Lastly, the unintended consequences of the possible unilateral action of Israel raise the stakes of peace and security in the Middle East. This is highly possible if the Jewish state feels it has to preempt via military action Iran’s threat to its national security. Such an action from Israel will seriously destabilize the delicate geostrategic balance in the region.

The Obama Administration is banking on a strong vein of idealism where negotiation rather than force is used to advance international peace and diplomacy between Iran and the US and the international community at large.

With Obama's term coming to an end, he is making many decions that seem to cater for American's foreign policy. Kenyans are excited to welcome him 'home' but what exactly are his intentions?