Posted by Tina
The photo at the top of the page shows an Egyptian proponent of President Morsi holding up a poster. The poster features a photo of President Obama crossed out in red next to a photo of the American flag with a big green check mark. The message: We want American support but we sure don’t think much of your president.
The scathing article that accompanies the AP photo was written by Prof. Walter Russell Mead who voted for President Obama in 2008. Meads observations reflect the overall failure in Middle East policy and define five basic failures:
With the advantages of hindsight, it appears that the White House made five big miscalculations about the Middle East. It misread the political maturity and capability of the Islamist groups it supported; it misread the political situation in Egypt; it misread the impact of its strategy on relations with America’s two most important regional allies (Israel and Saudi Arabia); it failed to grasp the new dynamics of terrorist movements in the region; and it underestimated the costs of inaction in Syria.
This article is well worth reading. Not only does it articulate many of the failures of the administration but it also acknowledges a truth that was understood and made plain by President George W. Bush as it suggests a way forward. Meads first point is that it is extremely important for the president of the United States to recognize and value the allies America has in the Middle East. Obama needs to mend some fences with our allies in the region. George Bush understood these relationships from the start and was well respected by our allies. He was also respected by our enemies but Mead avoids this point as he attempts to instruct President Obama. I will let the Professor make his second and third points:
Second, the struggle against terror is going to be harder than we hoped. Our enemies have scattered and multiplied, and the violent jihadi current has renewed its appeal. In the Arab world, in parts of Africa, in Europe and in the U.S., a constellation of revitalized and inventive movements now seeks to wreak havoc. It is delusional to believe that we can eliminate this problem by eliminating poverty, underdevelopment, dictatorship or any other “root causes” of the problem; we cannot eliminate them in a policy-relevant time frame. An ugly fight lies ahead. Instead of minimizing the terror threat in hopes of calming the public, the president must prepare public opinion for a long-term struggle.
President Bush informed us that it would take at least twenty years to defeat the radical elements in the region. He knew and made clear that the radicals were dedicated killers that we had to defeat. It’s too bad his accomplishments in that direction went unappreciated by the left and the media. In fact it is too bad the left and the left media used the Middle East as a political issue to discredit Bush for their own selfish reasons. Had they remained focused and supported President Bush we might not have lost valuable time, standing, and lives with the failures of the past 4.5 years.
Third, the focus must now return to Iran. Concern with Iran’s growing power is the thread that unites Israel and Saudi Arabia. Developing and moving on an Iran strategy that both Saudis and Israelis can support will help President Obama rebuild America’s position in the shifting sands. That is likely to mean a much tougher policy on Syria. Drawing red lines in the sand and stepping back when they are crossed won’t rebuild confidence.
I don’t know if Mead actually believes President Obama is up to the task ahead or not. Clearly Mead understands the problems and is still willing to give Obama the benefit of the doubt.
I’m not certain the President believes he has made mistakes. It’s more likely he will continue to blame others for the mess and stumble along in the same uninvolved fashion that marked the last 4.5 years.
According to The Hill President Obama played golf today with a couple of friends.
According to The Telegraph the Britain will join with America to respond with a show of force to the Assad regimes use of chemical weapons:
Royal Navy vessels are being readied to take part in a possible series of cruise missile strikes, alongside the United States, as military commanders finalise a list of potential targets.
Government sources said talks between the Prime Minister and international leaders, including Barack Obama, would continue, but that any military action that was agreed could begin within the next week.
As the preparations gathered pace, William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, warned that the world could not stand by and allow the Assad regime to use chemical weapons against the Syrian people “with impunity”.
Read more in The Wall Street Journal
For a Peace Prize owning person he sure likes to kill people.
The Egyption people are right to distrust Obumble. He’s supported the Muslim Butcherhood from day one.
The Prez disappeared during Benghazi as well . . . .
When you have a “leader” who thinks golf games and campaign speeches are more important than anything else, you have a complete failure as a Prez.
Exhibit A of that reasoning is currently in the white house,.