By Rosemary L.
Barack Obama brought to the presidency the foreign policy experience of a community organizer, that is to say, none. And it shows. Then turned it over to an incompetent ex- president's wife. If there is such a thing as an Obama Doctrine, it might be this: React slowly to a foreign crisis and, in a conflict, pick a side hostile to U.S. interests.
Egypt: First, Joe Biden says longtime U.S. ally Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was not a dictator, then the administration calls for him to step aside. By withdrawing support for Mubarak, Obama sent shock waves to other U.S. allies in the Middle East, including oil-rich Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and gave an opening for the Muslim Brotherhood rise to power.
Israel: Obama’s speech seeking a return to Israel’s 1967 borders undercut America’s only reliable ally in the region. His attempt to broker any kind of accord between Israel and the Palestinians is in disarray. Israel is rightfully concerned with Obama’s hard-line on Israeli borders and his fondness for the Arab world. And with the “Arab Spring” sweeping Islamists into power, Israel has been further isolated in the region.
Pakistan: This supposed U.S. ally has consistently undermined U.S. anti-terror efforts, as its intelligence service seemingly is supportive of anti-American jihadists. Pakistan either allowed safe harbor for Osama bin Laden or was totally incompetent despite billions of dollars of U.S. aid. The mixed signals from the Obama administration following the Osama bin Laden raid only further damaged the relationship with Pakistan, a nuclear power.
Russia: Obama’s clumsy attempt to push the reset button with Russia had the U.S. making concessions on missile defense and nuclear arms without gaining anything in return. Instead of moving closer to the U.S., Russia is aligning with China, Brazil, India and other developing nations on key issues. Putin sees him as a wimp.
Apologizing: Obama’s apology tour shortly after taking office sent the message that he didn’t really think all that highly about America. Not only wasn’t America exceptional, but it was guilty of heinous offenses. No thank you, Mr. President, we honor those who died for our country, we can be proud of the causes they served and families they left behind.
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