Posted on 07/30/2014 12:38:23 PM PDT by Brad from Tennessee
Nero fiddled while Rome burned. On Saturday, President Obama played golf while his foreign policy, and that of the nation he leads, was going up in smoke. Literally.
Saturday was the day the State Department ordered the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Libya. Only three years ago, Obama helped NATO allies overthrow Moammar Kadafi as part of his “lead from behind” doctrine, but he has done little to help the resulting democratic government secure its authority.
Not only did the U.S. not support sending international peacekeepers, it didn't mount a serious program to train a new Libyan army. The predictable result has been utter chaos. In September 2012, U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed in Benghazi. In recent days, much of Tripoli's main airport has been destroyed in militia fighting. The embassy staff had to be evacuated overland as thick black smoke from the fighting hung over the Tripoli skyline.
In any other circumstances — and especially if the chief executive were a Republican — this would have been a scandal blared across the media. But at a time when we are witnessing the near-total collapse of American foreign policy, it barely registers.
It is hard, after all, for events in Libya to compete with the far greater catastrophe unfolding in Ukraine, where Russian President Vladimir Putin first annexed Crimea and now appears intent on detaching the eastern part of the country. When Ukraine mounted a sustained offensive against Russian-backed separatist militias, Putin upped the ante, providing his proxies with heavy weapons ranging from artillery and tanks to antiaircraft missiles. . .
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Kind of what I thought. Surprising really.
Obama’s foreign policy goals are so on track and ahead of schedule, Obama has plenty of time for golf.
It's all been just so easy for him
You’re catching-on.
0bama’s goal is for his foreign policy, and that of the nation he leads, to go up in smoke. Literally.
One can not work on what he does not have.
The Department of State has been pretty much rendered obsolete.
I'd rather have Truman.
“...create a COLD WAR was Truman.,..”
Well... I’d say the Russians CREATED it... Truman’s fault was in not putting them in their place while he had the chance to.
And then going timid and tepid about finishing it.
Max Boot is a Neoconservative or NeoCon and he doesn't work for LAT, its an editorial.
Does anyone remember the last big NeoCon event? Just a few weeks ago. Bill Kristol, Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz, Paul Bremmer, and others making the rounds wanting to re-invade Iraq.
The NeoCons don't like Obama's foreign policy, except for Libya. Back there in 2011 when Obama made the decision to intervene the NeoCons were very pleased. At that time Bill Kristol proclaimed Obama to be a "Born Again NeoCon"
“..its an editorial “
I’d say it’s more a commentary than editorial. It doesn’t seem to reflect anything close to the LAT editorial policy. That’s why I assumed Boot was its token “conservative” or “Republican” contributor.
That’s why headlines posted here about contributor commentaries cast in any way as being reflective of the paper/magazine/network are misleading. Reading the headline here, with the LA Times reference, would lead one to believe it was an LAT column or editorial vs the commentary of an individual who in no way reflects that paper’s actual position.
Thanks, agreed...
Ug...
For me Libya was just too confused a situation to be involved in. Both sides were unworthy.
As much as I had loathed Khadaffy, at least his nation was stable and he had reined himself in.
He was a known quantity.
I saw sure destabilization in the aftermath. That’s what has resulted.
Having Muslim brotherhood advisers, for the president has been very corruptive IMO.
He's well versed in foreign policy and worked for McCain's and Romney's campaign.
Beginning with George W. Bush, the NeoCons have become very influential in the GOP. Now there is the big battle going on between the NeoCons and the isolationist Rand Paul.
truman could pass as a republican in 2014...
I didnt Know Truman...But I know he wasnt a Barack Obama..
I remember Truman. President Truman was not aloof. He never forgot that he was one of the people. He communicated with us just as we communicate among ourselves. Example (part of a letter sent to a local D.C. neighbor):
Some day I hope to meet you. When that happens you'll need a new nose, a lot of beefsteak for black eyes, and perhaps a supporter below! Pegler, a gutter snipe, is a gentleman alongside you. I hope you'll accept that statement as a worse insult than a reflection on your ancestry.
[ Max Boot is the LAT’s token conservative or token Republican, right?]
It’s an Op-Ed or “guest editorial.”
Yes, I was trying to make the point that the headline (L.A. Times) would have one believe it was the position of the LAT, rather than that of a commentary article. Happens here all all the time. When a random conservative/Republican/libertarian/whatever has a column printed it is NOT speaking for the publication, so the headline adjustments tend to be misleading.
You’re right.
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