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The failures, scandals, missteps, and China/CCP-related criticisms of the Obama administration (2009–2017) are summarized below. These draw from congressional investigations, inspector general reports, contemporary news analyses, and official records. The list focuses on major items is not exhaustive.1. Foreign Policy Failures and Missteps - Benghazi attack (September 11, 2012): Terrorists attacked the U.S. diplomatic compound and a nearby CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya, killing Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. Criticisms centered on inadequate security despite requests, delayed response, and initial administration talking points (and public statements) attributing the attack primarily to an anti-Muslim video rather than a premeditated terrorist operation. Multiple congressional investigations followed; four State Department employees were placed on administrative leave. heritage.org2. Syria “red line” (2012–2013): Obama declared that use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime would cross a “red line.” After a major chemical attack in 2013, the administration prepared for strikes but ultimately stepped back in favor of a Russian-brokered deal to remove Syria’s declared chemical weapons stockpile. Critics argued this damaged U.S. credibility and emboldened adversaries. (responsiblestatecraft.org)3. Libya intervention (2011): U.S.-led NATO action (“leading from behind”) helped oust Muammar Gaddafi without full congressional authorization under the War Powers Resolution. The aftermath contributed to instability, the rise of militias, and the conditions surrounding Benghazi.4. Rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria after the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq; critics linked the vacuum partly to the incomplete residual force and broader Middle East policy. Russia “reset” policy largely failed as relations deteriorated (Crimea annexation in 2014, Ukraine conflict, Syria intervention).5. Domestic ScandalsOperation Fast and Furious: ATF “gun-walking” operation allowed firearms to be sold to suspected straw purchasers with the aim of tracking them to Mexican cartels. Hundreds of guns were lost; one was linked to the 2010 killing of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. Attorney General Eric Holder was held in contempt of Congress over document withholding; the administration asserted executive privilege. (nationalreview.com)6. IRS targeting of conservative groups: Beginning around 2010, the IRS applied heightened scrutiny to applications for tax-exempt status from groups with names or themes associated with the Tea Party, patriots, or limited government. An inspector general report confirmed inappropriate criteria. Acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller resigned; limited disciplinary actions followed. (factcheck.org)7. VA wait-time scandal: Secret waiting lists and delayed care at Veterans Affairs facilities (notably Phoenix) contributed to veteran deaths. An internal audit revealed tens of thousands facing long waits; few employees faced significant discipline. Obama acknowledged it as “scandalous.” (heritage.org)8. Solyndra and green-energy loan guarantees: The Department of Energy provided a $535 million loan guarantee to solar company Solyndra, which went bankrupt in 2011, leaving taxpayers with large losses. Broader critiques targeted other stimulus-era clean-energy loans and grants with mixed or poor outcomes (e.g., some firms later struggled or failed). An Energy Department inspector general report found company officials had misled the government. (washingtonpost.com)9. Other issues included GSA conference spending excesses, Secret Service misconduct, and expanded NSA surveillance programs later revealed by Edward Snowden (with debates over legality and scope).10. Healthcare and Domestic Policy Missteps - Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) website rollout (October 2013): HealthCare.gov launched with severe technical failures, low capacity, and hundreds of defects. Enrollment was far below expectations initially; the site required emergency repairs. Obama acknowledged the problems publicly. Critics also highlighted broken campaign promises (e.g., “If you like your health care plan, you can keep it”) as millions of individual-market plans were canceled. (archive.nytimes.com)11. Student-loan and higher-education policy expansions, plus other regulatory actions, drew criticism for costs and overreach in some analyses.12. National debt roughly doubled (from about $10.6 trillion to nearly $20 trillion), with deficits remaining elevated after the initial stimulus.13. China / CCP-Related Criticisms and Engagement Approach - Continued engagement strategy emphasizing cooperation (Strategic and Economic Dialogue expansion, climate focus). Early rhetoric and joint statements referencing “core interests” were later walked back after creating Chinese expectations of greater U.S. accommodation. (Foreignaffairs.com)14. Limited early pushback on currency manipulation, intellectual-property theft, and South China Sea militarization. A 2015 cyber agreement with Xi Jinping aimed to curb commercial cyber-espionage and produced temporary reductions in some activity, but broader structural issues (tech transfer pressure, military modernization, human rights) persisted. (wired.com)15. “Pivot” to Asia was announced but criticized as under-resourced relative to rhetoric; the Trans-Pacific Partnership was negotiated but not ratified by the Senate during Obama’s term. The overall approach underestimated CCP intentions and left successors with a more assertive China.16. Failure to fully close Guantánamo Bay despite campaign promises (transfers reduced the population but the facility remained open).17. Transparency shortfalls: multiple inspectors general complained of stonewalling; expanded use of executive actions and selective enforcement drew rule-of-law critiques in areas such as immigration (DACA) and education guidance letters.18. Handling of the 2014–2016 period, including the Bergdahl prisoner exchange and certain drone-program expansions, generated bipartisan and civil-liberties concerns.