First Conservative - Political Humor and Obamatudes

Foreign Policy House of Cards

Author’s note:
This all might be mildly funny if it weren’t so frightening.  What was intended to be a humorous piece highlighting the outrageous foreign policy failures achieved in a very small window of time, turned out to be something that caused a lot of lost sleep.  US citizens must hope that at least someone in Washington is taking foreign affairs seriously.  That 3:00 am call might occur sooner than anyone imagines and the issue might be on a geographic scale, closer than anyone imagines. 

Obama has been letting foreign policy matters stack up at the White House during his fund raising trip to Vegas and Cali.   Following North Korea’s apparently successful test of a strong nuclear bomb, Obama met the issue squarely and forcefully – by introducing his SCOTUS pick.  Then He left town.

It is difficult to determine Obama’s foreign policy strategy – possibly because there is none.  A candidate who believes dialogue solves all conflicts and a candidate willing to talk with any and all adversaries unconditionally, is regarded in the international community as–at best – foolish.  Certainly the North Koreans believe so. 

A foolish leader invites adversaries to create trouble.  Not wanting to be second in line to anyone, North Korea launched an aggressive display of its new weapons and delivery programs over the Memorial Day weekend.  Iran, Venezuela and others are anxious to push the formerly strong United States into submission over weapons and trade issues.   Although He and the CNN folks will try, Obama cannot blame the deteriorating international situation on George W. Bush.  The Chosen One based his foreign policy on an extension of his campaign – complete with speeches and town hall meetings.   The foreign speeches and performances have only established the US President as an orator and a performer.  Action determines leadership skill however, and this President is determined to leave action to others.    Obama believes that his oratorical skill can change hearts and minds.  It will only invite those that wish to attack America, to step up their efforts.

Obama, in his short tenure as President, has achieved some remarkable failures.  The top ten of these (so far), are:

10.  Guantanamo – The issue that won’t go away, closing Guantanamo Detention Center has hand-cuffed the entire administration.  Since Congress intelligently withheld funding for closing the prison, Obama gave an exasperated speech urging Congressional action.  Congress wants to see the plan.  The President wants Congress to make the plan.  At least the stalemate will prevent the base from closing its prison.    Should prisoners be brought to the US, Obama will significantly hurt election prospects of fellow liberals.

9.  France – French President Sarkozy saw early on that the President’s naïve world view would only endanger the western world.  Accordingly, Sarkozy re-engaged his nation as a military contributor to and participant in the North American Treaty Organization.  This gives France a much stronger voice in handling upcoming military conflicts, deployments and defense strategies.    Sarkozy also had the sense not to commit additional French troops to any mission lead by the Obama administration - particularly in Afghanistan.  Solid American leadership might have secured real French participation. 

8.  The United Nations – With Hillary running the State Department, Obama can be sure that the interests of the United States are being sold out just as quickly as is humanly possible.  Following the North Korean nuclear test, Ambassador Rice issued a strongly worded condemnation and met with the Security Council – which also issued a strongly worded condemnation.   The United Nations proved itself incapable of conflict resolution a generation ago, but is quite capable of issuing strongly worded condemnations.  Team Obama believes in the institution however.  It is a great place to talk.

7.  Russia – After watching Obama in action, Russian Strong Man Vladimir Putin is now trying to figure out how his side lost the Cold War.   If Americans elected people like Obama, Russian should be the new language of North America.  Putin sees the opportunity to rebuild the Soviet empire and is pushing back into the formerly independent nation of Georgia as well as other former Soviet bloc nations.  Obama has helped in calling for reduction in the missile defense shield and for reductions in US conventional forces.  This allows Russia to take additional territory.  The next time Russian tanks roll onto another’s territory, Obama will run to one of the 57 states to raise campaign cash.

6.  China – The Chinese are initiating a hostile take-over of the US economy.  Only this take over may not be so ‘hostile.’  Obama is begging the Chinese to buy more US debt instruments to fund His Stimulus programs. The Chinese have figured out though, that if Obama starts printing money, their investments will be worth less and less.   Team Obama truly doesn’t know what to do here.  On top of the economic relationship, Chinese warships routinely harass American ships and planes.   If there is a Chinese policy, it is a mystery to both sides.  And getting the Chinese to restrain North Korea?  Team Obama has given away all leverage and will have to give up something significant to gain Chinese help. 

5.  Pakistan – The civilian government that Obama as then Senator Obama wanted installed, has proven that it might not have the political will to defeat the Taliban rebels currently holding territory north of its capital city.  Fortunately, the Pakistani Army understands that should they lose to the Taliban, their heads would be first on the block.  The Pakistani Army may be expected to fight hard.   The next time Obama wants a civilian government installed somewhere, He should probably make sure it has the will as well as the ability to defend itself. 

4.  Afghanistan – US troops are already there, so this might turn out okay.  Still, Obama is of the immediate gratification generation that is seeking to be immediately gratified with a quick victory.  This is so that the military divisions in that country may be brought home and eliminated to further weaken national defense.  Afghanistan is a generations-long commitment however, and victory will not be achieved by this or the next President.

3.  Iran – Obama has resigned himself to allowing an Iranian nuclear bomb.  He couldn’t talk them out of it.  He released a slick, well translated, well-delivered speech to the Iranians and they didn’t budge.  In fact, they laughed.  If talking doesn’t work, Team Obama has no clue what to try next.  So rather than keep up pressure on Iran, Obama turned up the pressure on Israel.

2.  Israel – The Jewish state has resigned itself to Obama’s acceptance of an Iranian nuclear bomb.  Unfortunately for Obama, Israel hasn’t decided whether to allow Iran to achieve nuclear capability.  That conflict would be horrible but may in the estimation of the Israelis, be unavoidable.  Better to fight the bad guys before the bad guys can wipe you off the map.  Obama simply doesn’t accept that war is inevitable as long as the two sides keep talking instead of fighting.  Iran is willing to talk for as long as it takes to complete their weapons development.  Iran will then fight until others stop talking. 

1.  North Korea – The DPRK apparently freed itself from Chinese and Russian (Soviet) control.  Obama has reached out to the North Koreans in the North Korean language, but has received only threats in return.   This morning, the DPRK’s little dictator stated that the nation would no longer honor the 1953 Armistice that ended the first Korean War.  Obama has been so dumfounded that his condemnations appear weak and childish.  Like the boy who cried ‘wolf’ Obama has strongly condemned the rogue nation so many times that should the DPRK make an actual incursion or strike with one of their weapons, Obama Himself may not believe it.