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February 24, 2009

American foreign policy under Obama not based on realpolitik but on international affairs as a popularity contest

Topics: Political News and commentaries

Barry Rubin writes at the JP that a freight train is heading our way and we're standing right on the tracks, looking in the wrong direction. Obama's obsession with foreign policy being a popularity contest is going to get us killed:

[...] America: A freight train is heading your way and you're standing right on the tracks, looking in the wrong direction.

Or perhaps it is like a horror film in which the killer sneaks up behind the hapless victim while the movie audience yells: "Turn around! Turn around!" And then blood spatters the screen.

Unfortunately, in this case, it might be our blood, and it won't be produced by a special effects department.

Today, US policy and the dominant thinking are not based on realpolitik but on international affairs as a popularity contest. Its motto might be, "The nice will inherit the Earth," as the Obama administration tries to prove that it's not like that mean old Bush.

Before we get to the oncoming train, consider two small but indicative examples.

Scene 1: The UN committee planning the Durban-2 pro-racism - I mean "anti-racism" - conference. Libya chairs the committee, Iran is the vice-chair, Cuba, the rapporteur, and Russia is presiding. The plan is designed to ensure that the conference limits free speech, bashes Israel and enshrines Muslims as the world's only and perpetual victims.

The US representative stands to propose amendments. Is the speech a thunderous denunciation of dictatorship and a defense of liberty? Not exactly. Here is the key sentence: "I hate to be the cause of unhappiness in the room... I have to suggest [amendments] and I offer my sincere apologies."

How's that for speaking softly and carrying a big pillow? (US president Theodore Roosevelt a century ago famously described diplomacy as "speaking softly and carrying a big stick.")

[...] US policy is putting the emphasis on conciliation with Iran and Syria, and a soft line toward Pakistan, despite its lack of cooperation on fighting terrorism against India or in Afghanistan.

The only thing you can do with a strategy of carrots without sticks is to make carrot cake. Now consider what is sneaking up on the US government as it hands out candy:

Continue reading here.

As Rubin notes in his piece, 2009 is looking like a year of massive defeat for the US and its friends in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Washington under Obama is blind to this trend, pursuing a futile attempt to conciliate our enemies, losing time and not adopting the policies desperately needed to save us from an oncoming disaster.

Posted by Hyscience at February 24, 2009 10:30 AM

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