George W. Bush: Crossed Democracy

In the United States, a second presidential term is rarely similar to the first one. Presidents are more concerned about their historical legacy & spend more time on international affairs. We can assume that the same will hold true for George W. Bush. It is not that he hasn't already been involved in foreign affairs. But the United States' two military interventions in Afghanistan & Iraq were driven more by events than by any kind of grand vision. It was a question of responding to 9/11 & resolutely fighting against terrorism. But in the second term -- & George Bush signaled this in his inauguration speech -- American foreign policy is now about the "construction of liberty." This is an ambitious, strongly ideological project. It is a project that risks running up against the realities of the world, but one which is boosted by the fact that it reflects the deep aspirations of the American people. Adapted from the source document.