Bill Clinton: Commander-in-Chief

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Winona State University

HIST 397: Topics in History – America Foreign Relations

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Bill Clinton: Commander-in-Chief

Arkansas governor William J. “Bill” Clinton had an uncanny ability to charm people as the new commander-in-chief. He was faced with a new era in U.S. foreign relations – characterized by unparalleled global dominance but hampered by sectarian and religious conflicts. He sought to maintain the U.S. hegemony by advancing multilateral solutions to global issues of war, terrorism, weapons proliferation, trade, and human rights. However, his loosely structured foreign policy bureaucracy could prove problematic (Textbook, p.470). The documentary primarily explores presidential leadership, foreign policy challenges, domestic issues and scandals, and legacy and impact. The movie examines Bill Clinton’s leadership style and decision-making processes during his presidency. It also focuses on Clinton’s handling of critical international crises and conflicts, including the Bosnian War, the Rwandan Genocide, and the conflict in Kosovo. The viewer also gets a glimpse of domestic policies, economic achievements, and the consequences of the Monica Lewinsky scandal on Clinton’s presidency. Besides, it analyzes Clinton’s lasting impact on both domestic and foreign policy.

The documentary utilizes various visual and audio strategies to achieve its objectives. These include archival footage, interviews, narration, and photographs and news clips. Archival footage encompass historical clips from Clinton’s presidency, such as speeches, press conferences, and significant public events. For example, it starts with a footage of Bill Clinton as the Commander-in-Chief shaking hands with American soldiers before they are sent to war (00 min 54s). The film also features interviews with former administration officials, historians, and political analysts who provide insights into Clinton’s presidency. For instance, at the start, Lee H. Hamilton, a Former Congressman is interviewed and explains the position and mood in which Clinton finds himself as he deploys American troops to a battle at the start of his presidency (01 min 05s). Concerning narration, there is a consistent narrative voiceover that guides viewers through the events and provides contextual information. The omniscient voice guides the viewer through the events as they happen, from when Clinton assumes office by deploying American forces to war, to the conflict in the Balkans and Kosovo (01 min 54s). It also uses photographs and news clips to illustrate key moments and provide visual context. For example, when NATO launches airstrikes, there is a newspaper excerpt talking about “Searchers hunting for pilot, who may be in rebel hands” (04 min 51s) after US Air Force fighter pilot Scott O’Grady is shot down and captured over Bosnia.

The filmmaker’s aim is to inform and educate, analyze leadership, contextualize historical events, and present a balanced view of Clinton’s presidency to allow viewers to make their own judgments. We are provided with a background of the conflict in Kosovo, and the clear background, backed by archival footage, informs and educates us on why intervention was necessary. The former Yugoslavia had collapsed after the end of Communism, and the diverse ethnic groups wanted a place to call their land, sparking ethnic clashes. The majority of Albanian Muslims were executed in large numbers by a predominantly Orthodox Christian Serbians (02 min 38s). The viewer is also presented with the complicated context of conflicts at the time, from the Balkans to Somalia and Rwanda. Despite coming into office from the Cold War, Clinton had to learn the limitations of leading the US – the world’s only superpower at the time. Building democracies at the time was more complex than imagined, sentiments echoed by David Gergen, former Director of Speech Writing and James A. Baker, III, former Secretary of State (09 min 11s)

What I liked about the film is that it has comprehensive coverage, includes informative interviews, and adopts a balanced perspective. Overall, the documentary is important from historical and intellectual perspectives as it equips the viewers with valuable knowledge on the political and international landscape of the 1990s – capturing key events and decisions that shaped the era. Some experts and historians believed that the intervention was a mistake, and it showed signs of a repeat of the Vietnam War. However, Clinton supported his move, affirming that America had to play its role as a leader (07 min 55s). It also gives a leadership analysis by examining Clinton’s leadership style and decision-making processes. There are important lessons on presidential leadership and governance. Additionally, it prompts viewers to reflect on Clinton’s legacy, considering both his achievements and controversies in the context of his overall impact on American politics and global affairs. Dumbrell believes that the conflict in the Balkans was the most crucial test of Clinton’s leadership in relation to transatlantic relations. At the end, his foreign policy record had many blemishes and the non-intervention in Rwanda was equally immoral (Dumbrell, p.269). The perspective is supported by Petras and Morley who blame Clinton for extending and deepening actions pursued by Presidents who came before him, besides reversing long-standing policies and increasing US hostility toward Cuba. Clinton’s trade embargo and economic blockade of Cuba were a sharp contrast of what he stood for before election (Petras & Morley, p.269).

References

Dumbrell, J. (2010). President Bill Clinton and US transatlantic foreign policy. Journal of Transatlantic Studies, 8(3), 268-278. https://doi.org/10.1080/14794012.2010.498128

Hesse, B. J. (2005). Celebrate or hold suspect? Bill Clinton and George W. Bush in Africa. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 23(3), 327-344. https://doi.org/10.1080/01426390500273817

(Textbook) Paterson, T. G., Clifford, J. G., Brigham, R., Donoghue, M., Hagan, K. J., Kisatsky, D., & Maddock, S. J. (2015). American foreign relations: A history, Volume 2, Since 1895 (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Petras, J., & Morley, M. (1996). Clinton's Cuba policy: Two steps backward, one step forward. Third World Quarterly, 17(2), 269-288. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436599650035680