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Libya, Syria Show Obama in Way Over His Head
FNC ^ | August 20, 2011 | By J.D. Gordon

Posted on 08/20/2011 11:10:02 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar

Developments this week with Libya and Syria show that President Barack Obama is in way over his head on U.S. foreign policy – once again.

In Libya, rebel fighters are closing in on Col. Moammar Qaddafi’s stronghold of Tripoli - though remain locked in a six-month civil war and face a potential bloodbath in taking the city. This is despite Mr. Obama’s headlong rush to lead “kinetic military action” in March to back them up, an effort expected by some optimists in Washington to last weeks. NATO, with U.S. forces at the core, is still at it.

With Syria, Mr. Obama finally called for strongman President Bashar Al-Assad to step down – only now that 2,000 pro-democracy demonstrators have been killed in military assaults with tanks, infantry and naval bombardment. Though certainly the right decision, unfortunately it’s about five months overdue, and too late for those who have already lost their lives.

It’s almost as if Mr. Obama has been operating in fast-forward to support democracy and protect lives in Libya, while going slow motion in Syria.

Why is that?

First, when it comes to entrenched regimes like Qaddafi’s and Al-Assad’s, dictators know that the law of the jungle applies. Weak states like Libya are more vulnerable to foreign military intervention and internal unrest - strong states like Iranian-backed Syria are more secure. Despite Mr. Obama’s lofty statements defying dictators and promoting human rights, he only really tried to deliver in lower-risk environments. Egypt and Tunisia come to mind.

Second, rather than leading from the front as American presidents have traditionally done – save Jimmy Carter, Mr. Obama takes his cues from international organizations like the UN and Arab League. Once they pressed for military action in Libya, it was Tomahawks away – with the U.S. leading the charge.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government
KEYWORDS: libya; oup; syria

1 posted on 08/20/2011 11:10:07 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar
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Last sentence:

Such a flawed foreign policy strategy – one that in essence rewards strong dictators and punishes weak ones, regardless of the direct threat to us – harms our reputation as a world leader and encourages rogue regimes to build up their own military arsenals.


2 posted on 08/20/2011 11:12:46 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar
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To: Jet Jaguar
On Libya.... he should have insisted those shouting the loudest for military action – France, the U.K. and Arab League, do the heavy lifting.

Wrong! That would have been "leading" from even further behind! Only America's leadership keeps NATO together. Obama is undermining NATO which makes all of America's enemies happy. Splitting up NATO is the main goal of America's enemies because NATO is the most powerful military force the world has ever seen. NATO has not removed Kadaffy only because they have not bothered to try to do so.

Thus we ought to be doing more to push him out now that we have attacked him again - each day he remains in power represents a threat to Americans. We should do more to shape a U.S.-friendly, Al-Qaeda-free rebel movement – while we still have the chance.

100% Right!

3 posted on 08/20/2011 11:27:28 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: Jet Jaguar
The mangled Foreign Policy box car is behind the one marked "Constitution."

Photobucket

“It was planned this way. Ohh, Mr. Soros will be sooo pleased!”

4 posted on 08/20/2011 11:29:58 AM PDT by Dick Bachert (The 2012 election is coming. Seems we have MORE TRASH TO REMOVE!)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Fed up with Obama and Congress? SO AM I!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhkyRZoHlTM


5 posted on 08/20/2011 11:32:23 AM PDT by Dick Bachert (The 2012 election is coming. Seems we have MORE TRASH TO REMOVE!)
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To: Jet Jaguar
an effort expected by some optimists in Washington to last weeks

No, the line at the time by zero was...days, not weeks.

6 posted on 08/20/2011 12:04:47 PM PDT by paul51 (11 September 2001 - Never forget)
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To: paul51

Oh, I know.

Been here since April 4.


7 posted on 08/20/2011 12:11:33 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
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To: Jet Jaguar

Its not flawed. Its intentional.

He is opening the door for the MB and Iran to be publicly wed. They already picked up Egypt.


8 posted on 08/20/2011 12:26:31 PM PDT by himno hero (Obamas theme...Death to America...The crusaders will pay!)
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