On Thursday, May 27, 2010, the White House released the new “National Security Strategy” prepared by the president Barack Obama. The document breaks with the rhetoric of the two strategies enacted by the Bush Administration, the first in 2002 following the attacks of September 11, 2001; the second in 2006 (which had in fact disappeared from all official websites immediately after Barack Obama’s inauguration).

Washington officially abandons the concept of “Global War on Terror” (GWOT) adopted by George W. Bush, while still qualifying as “war” the struggle against a “specific network”: that of Al-Qaeda and its affiliates.

The new strategy sets out four categories of fundamental national interests for the United States: Security, Prosperity, Values and International Order. The fight against terrorism and warnings against Iran and North Korea remain priorities, but one should also welcome the unusual and positive emphasis on challenges such as the nuclear disarmament, sustainable development, climate change, or respect for human rights.

An obvious change of tone, which translation into practice is, however, slow to come in many areas.