On President Obama's 10-day trip abroad through Asia, foreign policy has obviously been a hot topic -- and none moreso than the supposed cost of the trip. Over on About.com's U.S. Government site, Contributing Writer Tom Murse dug into the furor surrounding the price tag. Meanwhile, brush up on President Obama's foreign policy stance and history.

Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia (Alexey Druginyn/AFP/Getty Images)

On March 20, 2010, citizens of Russia took to the streets to protest the policies of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Putin, the former President, was the focal point of an organized "Day of Anger" by Russia's Communist Party, Solidarity movement and human rights groups. Although no longer technically the head of state, Putin is still generally perceived as the most powerful official in Russia and often accused of being a dictator. Protestors called for Putin's resignation. Anti-Putin rallies were relatively small in size but widespread across the country. The largest rally was in Kaliningrad, the territorially detached Russian province between Lithuania and Poland, where 12,000 people voiced their disapproval.

Anger Toward Putin

According to Radio Free Europe, among those who have attached their names to the call for Putin's removal are former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov, and prominent human rights activists Yelena Bonner, Lyudmila Alekseyeva, and Lev Ponomaryov. Anger toward Putin stems from the economic crisis. The crisis has hit Russia hard and has resulted in rising unemployment and inflation. Cries of "Freedom!" and "Putin Resign!" were heard in the streets of Moscow and Kaliningrad.

Certainly, Prime Minister Putin will not be stepping down anytime soon. The level of opposition is still relatively small and no one on the Russian political scene seems capable of challenging Putin including President Medvedev. Kremlinologists believe that Putin will run for President again after Medvedev completes his term as President.

Effect of Protests

Yet, this is a big deal. Russian security services tried to block protesters. Putin's United Russia party, still the majority party in Russia, suffered in recent elections. On March 10, a petition demanding Putin's resignation appeared on the Internet with 10,000 signatures. The Russian citizens are beginning to blame Russian economic woes on Putin. The Kremlin was sufficiently concerned to send a high-level delegation to Kaliningrad after the protest and promise concessions such as lower taxes. Opposition to Putin has brought together members of the Communist Party and free market liberals.

The US Angle

In terms of the geopolitical dynamics between the US and Russia, America's leaders have growing evidence that Putin must consider political opposition and the Russian populace. Perhaps more importantly, the Russian people are more interested in economic growth than global projection of Russian power. As the US and Russia negotiate a new arms control treaty, action toward Iran and other issues, American leaders know that they can press Putin and Medvedev because they too face considerable domestic constraints.

See Also:

• New York Times: Russian Protests Seeking Ouster of Putin Fall Short
• Resetting the US-Russia Relationship
• 2009 Lowlights and Highlights in US Foreign Policy

Marjah, the Afghan city which is the focus of the US military offensive in Afghanistan called Operation Moshtarak, is now led by Abdul Zahir Aryan, better known as Haji Zahir. Haji Zahir is the city's top municipal official since the Afghan Government wrested control from the Taliban with the support of the US forces in Afghanistan. Zahir has been vetted and approved by the US despite serving prison time in Germany for attempted murder. While living in Germany during his self-imposed exile, after his stepson admonished him for beating his wife, Zahir later went to the home of one of his stepdaughters and stabbed the stepson in the chest and arm. Zahir spent nearly five years in a German prison.

The need for a leader in Marjah has overcome concerns raised by Zahir's criminal past. His current standing as a tribal elder, landowner and partner of the Afghan Government has afforded him support and protection from the US military. A NATO official in Kabul said, "We know Afghanistan is not going to be run by choirboys." American officials appear unconcerned by Zahir's past and are working to convince Marjah's citizenry to support him.

Saddam

Will the association with an official with a violent history serve the US interests? Generally, political relationships with thugs do not work. Originally, Saddam Hussein was supported by the US in his war against Iran and on the CIA payroll despite his brutality toward the Kurds and political repression of Iraq's citizens. Saddam was also capable of family violence as he arranged the assassinations of his sons-in-law and brother-in-law. His state sponsorship of terrorism and invasion of Kuwait set the stage for the removal of Saddam from power and a generation of American military activity in Iraq.

Noriega

Because of his anti-communist stance, the US supported General Manuel Noriega in Panama even though he was involved in corruption, money laundering and drugs. After the strongman tried to rig elections and harassed US citizens in Panama, the US military removed Noriega from power in Operation Just Cause.

Osama, Musharraf and Others

Even America's current most wanted enemy in Afghanistan, Osama Bin Laden received US funding and protection when the Afghan Mujahedeeen were battling the Soviets. While Zahir's official position and criminal history are small potatoes relative to Saddam, Noriega and Bin Laden, a cautionary tale about supporting leaders with violent pasts comes to mind. In a region where the US has both supported and opposed the Taliban and General Musharraf of Pakistan and wavers on Afghanistan's President Karzai, the US would be wise to be find leaders without grave concerns in their background.

See Also:

• Operation Moshtarak is Underway
• NY Times: NATO Backs Afghan Official Despite Jail Accusation
• NY Times: The Next Battles for Marja

Al-Shabab Fighters, Somalia (Mustafa Abdi/AFP/Getty Images)

Somalia's government has been in chaos for nearly 20 years. The current Somali Government is attempting to reestablish control of Somalia with the support of the US Government. The lack of civil order has enabled Al-Qaeda to establish sanctuary in Somalia. While the US may not pursue the Somali pirates, supporting the Somali Government restore order is part of the US Government's global counterterrorism strategy.

History of US Conflict in Somalia

As portrayed in the movie Blackhawk Down, the previous US military experience in Somalia was sobering. In 1993, nineteen American soldiers died at the hands of warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid and his forces. Video of an American soldier's corpse being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu was emblazoned in the minds of television watchers back home.

What the US Might Do

The US Government has categorically denied active involvement in Somalia. "This is not an American offensive," said Johnnie Carson, the assistant secretary of state for Africa. "The U.S. military is not on the ground in Somalia. Full stop." American officials believe that the Somalis must take charge of their own country. Nonetheless, there could be US airstrikes or special forces activity if Al-Qaeda terrorists are visible.

Terrorist Active in Somalia

Al-Qaeda is active in Somalia. Al-Qaeda is reportedly linked to Al-Shabab which means "the youth" in Arabic. Al-Shabab intends to overthrow the Somali Government and implement its own interpretation of Sharia or Islamic law as the law of the land. The Al-Shabab philosophy closely resembles the more radical Wahhabi strain of Islam rather than the more mainstream Sunni philosophy followed by most Somalis. Al-Shabab is on the United States' list of terrorist organizations.

Al-Shabab's violent and radical activity against the Somali Government, the presence of Al-Qaeda in Somalia and suspected links to Al-Qaeda in nearby Yemen essentially assures US action in Somalia. The extent of the US presence will depend on the ability of Somali forces to prosecute its own war against terrorists.

See Also:

• Tracking Al-Qaeda to The Ends of The Earth But Not 1000 Miles for the Somali Pirates
• US Counterterrorism Strategy
• What Is Counterterrorism?
• Pierre Tristam: Somalia - Country Profile
• New York Times: U.S. Aiding Somalia in Its Plan to Retake Its Capital