Posted on 05/01/2014 12:26:25 PM PDT by ghost of stonewall jackson
“WHY is it that everybody is so eager to use military force?” America’s cerebral president betrayed a rare flash of frustration on April 28th when dealing with a question in Asia about his country’s “weakness”. Barack Obama said his administration was making steady, if unspectacular, progress. By blundering into wars, his critics would only harm America.
Mr Obama has still made a difficult situation worse in two ways. First, he has broken the cardinal rule of superpower deterrence: you must keep your word. In Syria he drew “a red line”: he would punish Bashar Assad if he used chemical weapons. The Syrian dictator did, and Mr Obama did nothing. In response to Russia’s aggression, he threatened fierce sanctions, only to unveil underwhelming ones. He had his reasons: Britain let him down on Syria, Europe needs Russian gas, Congress is nervous. But the cumulative message is weakness.
Second, Mr Obama has been an inattentive friend. He has put his faith in diplomatic coalitions of willing, like-minded democracies to police the international system. That makes sense, but he has failed to build the coalitions. And using diplomacy to deal with the awkward squad, such as Iran and Russia, leads to concessions that worry America’s allies. Credibility is about reassurance as well as the use of force.
(Excerpt) Read more at economist.com ...
I still think the “potent” LBJ was worse, but Barry has 2 1/2 more years.
If the Economist has proof that Assad used chemical weapons, I wish they would show it to the world, because nobody else has.
When Obama starts wearing a hat with a large feather and odd colored suits, you will know he realizes he is impotent. And if that doesn’t do the trick, ask him about why he is dressed like that. He will likely say, “The Economist said I am impotent so I’z gonna act like it!”
Debatable. I do not believe that Assad used chem. The Moslem Brotherhood did and the press soaked up the lie that it was Assad.
“Ecomonist” ?
“WHY is it that everybody is so eager to use military force?”
Yeah, those fed snipers setting up at the Bundy ranch were a little over the top...
That’s a lot of words that could have been summed up thus: The Kenyan Klown is a POS loser.
The Economist, fellating the Won. And it’s faint fellation.
It’s a magazine dedicated to the philosophical viewpoint that all financial activity occurs only within your own mind.
Obama was rendered impotent before he even became president by the Nobel peace prize.
He is beholden to the promise that the peace prize brings with it, and he didn’t want to violate the expectations and hopes that came with that prize.
Meanwhile, the peace prize and his insistence that diplomacy is the answer to all conflicts and disagreements, are a threat to the world’s peace, since, a weakened U.S. and a weak and impotent and inexperienced president, all embolden America’s enemies, and with that, we inch closer to major wars, even a third world war, with each new threat that the U.S. refuses to take seriously.
I agree with you. It was most likely the rebels. However when BHO (or his minions) announced that Assad had indeed used chemical weapons, at that point it really didn't matter whether he actually did or didn't. Our worthless, weak president was seen by the world as backing down from a promised threat of force. At that point he rendered the US impotent, making us look silly as a once great power.
Stopped reading right there. If I am going to read fiction I will select the topic!
UK Telegraph: Syria chemical weapons: the proof that Assad regime launching chlorine attacks on children
“WHY is it that everybody is so eager to use military force?”- Baraq 0bama
Yeah, those fed snipers setting up at the Bundy ranch were a little over the top...
5.56mm
And that is his legacy. How proud his mammy must be.
I'm not convinced... the Muslim Brotherhood is the opposition, and they would be eager to provoke Obama into acting on his 'red line', and Obama has been eager to help the Muslim Brotherhood.
Bashir denies it, and I believe him more than I believe this lying administration.
The Economist certainly used to feature some good articles, but they’ve become just another establishment tool.
Done with them.
Obama is right on flight plan....his own plan for the destruction of the USA.
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