Critics of President Barack Obama's foreign policy are getting louder by the day, and that poses risks for Democrats this fall and even in 2016. According to previews of Hillary Clinton's memoirs, "Hard Choices," the former secretary of state distances herself from Obama on certain decisions, such as on the question of whether to arm Syrian rebels. She wanted to be more aggressive; he did not. Democrats have grown more nervous about foreign policy as Obama has been working hard to respond to critics who say hasn't taken a tough-enough line. The controversy over the deal to secure the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for five Taliban prisoners has flared into an extraordinarily heated debate. Obama has watched as his approval rating for handling international affairs has fallen to 41%.
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Julian Zelizer: Criticism of Obama foreign policy has been on the increase
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Hillary Clinton's book mentions her disagreement with Obama on Syrian rebels
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He says debate over prisoner swap for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl adds to the controversy
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Zelizer says foreign policy can have effect on midterms, usually dominated by economic issues
The foreign policy controversy intensified just as there was evidence that the economy was picking up steam and that the @placeholder's health care program was gaining strength.