It's now indisputably clear that Obama is no more than a paper tiger. His threats against the Syrian dictatorship meant nothing but vanished into thin air, replaced by squirming and prattle.
Not only is this response important in itself, but it has implications for other hostile states, notably Russia, China, and especially Iran. If Obama dares not handle the weakling in Damascus, how might he venture to do so with the more formidable foes in Moscow, Peking, and Tehran?
For this reason, the issue of Assad's chemical weapons is crucial to American foreign policy. Like many observers, I count the months (still another 20 of them) until this president is gone and the United States of America has an opportunity for a fresh start to stand by its word, live up to its historic reputation, and protect itself.
I don't think anyone who's read Rantburg for more than five minutes has any illusion that B.O. is anything more than an empty suit. As a "community organizer" he's top notch. As a sleazy politician he can't be beat. He's a lot better golfer than he is a leader or a statesman. Pipes could have written the same piece five years ago and hardly changed a word. |