And the true losers are innocent Syrians.
2
We aren't powerful enough to be the world's policeman. One thing the warmongers on the right fail to understand is that we were NEVER powerful enough to be the world's policeman except for a brief period from 1991-2001 where Russia was still devastated by the breakup of the USSR and the Chinese economy was just starting to kick into high gear. Kudos to Obama for finally bringing some sanity back to American foreign policy by adopting a realist approach to international relations. Sometimes it is better not to fight and after Bush's wars, that has simply been the situation that we have had to deal with.
Ukraine is in Russia's sphere of influence and has been for hundreds (!) of years, nor will they easily give up their base in Syria. Nothing short of war between our two countries will do anything to change those realities. And for all their bombast in their speeches before the General Assembly they seem to have had a constructive conversation when they and their advisers later met behind closed-doors. Attempting to isolate Russia is counterproductive and will only ensure that when the Europeans have finally given up on Ukraine, it'll be Total SA and Deutsche Bank (or maybe Sinopec and ICBC) who will be the ones rewarded with next round of deals in Russia rather than Citibank and Exxon.
Ukraine is in Russia's sphere of influence and has been for hundreds (!) of years, nor will they easily give up their base in Syria. Nothing short of war between our two countries will do anything to change those realities. And for all their bombast in their speeches before the General Assembly they seem to have had a constructive conversation when they and their advisers later met behind closed-doors. Attempting to isolate Russia is counterproductive and will only ensure that when the Europeans have finally given up on Ukraine, it'll be Total SA and Deutsche Bank (or maybe Sinopec and ICBC) who will be the ones rewarded with next round of deals in Russia rather than Citibank and Exxon.
1
Step aside, and let someone that exudes strength and experience tackle this mess that you've created, Mr. Obama. When Assad crossed the red line, you behaved cowardly. Now, confronted with ISIS, all you do is pin prick with your drones. In fact, you appear to be walking on eggs as you grapple with how best to engage the ragtag Muslim Brotherhood horde -- now battle hardened -- thanks to you and your lack of experience.
2
One advice to the Americans, so well expressed by Mr.Putin, is this: give up your exceptionalism. What right do you have to tell other countries who should be there leaders? What right do you have to devastate whole regions by your "humanitarian" bombing in the name of democracy? How many social and humanitarian disasters are enough to make the exceptional americans see the light?
4
I was not surprised at Barack Obama's ignorance, arrogance, weakness or incompetence. Why? Because I met the 2015 Barack Obama all of you saw at the UN--back in 2004.
I worked at the Democratic National Convention and met Obama at the waterfront after he arrived and gave a short speech. Within minutes of meeting Obama, I, a Black man heading for law school months later, began my path to becoming a registered Republican, which I did when Obama was nominated in 2008.
Putin has thrown America off the global leadership stage, and that's because of Barack Obama's failed presidency, blurred lines (yes the song), lies and incompetence.
I worked at the Democratic National Convention and met Obama at the waterfront after he arrived and gave a short speech. Within minutes of meeting Obama, I, a Black man heading for law school months later, began my path to becoming a registered Republican, which I did when Obama was nominated in 2008.
Putin has thrown America off the global leadership stage, and that's because of Barack Obama's failed presidency, blurred lines (yes the song), lies and incompetence.
4
If Mr Putin sounds substantially more realist than Mr Obama ( and he does!), then the time for US has come to reconsider their strategies in middle east. the very same mistake has been repeated so many times. the policy makers in US assume the leaders they support in the region are freedom fighters with rational attitudes. In this region the majority is not seeking for more democracy they just want to have the power to dictate their rules to the others. They use democratic tools to reach the ultimate aim (look what happened in Turkey).
So, as Putin pointed out "being legitimate" is the sole base of collaboration to bring stability to the region. all other stories are dreaming of dessert without having the main course.
So, as Putin pointed out "being legitimate" is the sole base of collaboration to bring stability to the region. all other stories are dreaming of dessert without having the main course.
5
Here in Washington, it is no secret that Barack Obama never reconsiders anything, especially if that requires him to admit failure, lies or mistakes.
Obama is simply too arrogant, aloof and weak to do that.
So Obama's failed foreign policy is intractable.
If any other US president embarrassed America on the world stage the way Barack Obama did yesterday, the NY Times would be calling for his resignation. Mr. Obama behaved like a child.
Obama is simply too arrogant, aloof and weak to do that.
So Obama's failed foreign policy is intractable.
If any other US president embarrassed America on the world stage the way Barack Obama did yesterday, the NY Times would be calling for his resignation. Mr. Obama behaved like a child.
3
It is disappointing that no national leader at the UN admits the impossibility nowadays to win a war. The best easily achieved are such short-term aims as killing Gaddafi or removing Saddam Hussein from power -after extensive disruptions to their countries.
But the long-term transformations of 'victim-countries' from well ordered/affluent societies into unstable/poor ones; and their enforced admission of un-vetted desperate migrants into Europe and the USA, which later could easily cause severe socio-cultural and economic changes/social instabilities/urban conflicts for their children/grand children in their own countries are yet not seen by them as their absolute 'defeats' in the wars.
The belligerent tones of the leaders' speeches at the UN General Assembly seem oblivious of these realities: (speeches still being anchored on expired principles of victor/vanquished of stronger/weaker nations; and on their fixed political interests.)
With the 'un-winnable' wars all around, neither President Obama nor Putin or any other national leader think it yet necessary to consider obtaining complete war prevention for all humanity -if at all attainable.
And it can easily be -but for their wish to retain their exclusive war-creation privileges!
But the long-term transformations of 'victim-countries' from well ordered/affluent societies into unstable/poor ones; and their enforced admission of un-vetted desperate migrants into Europe and the USA, which later could easily cause severe socio-cultural and economic changes/social instabilities/urban conflicts for their children/grand children in their own countries are yet not seen by them as their absolute 'defeats' in the wars.
The belligerent tones of the leaders' speeches at the UN General Assembly seem oblivious of these realities: (speeches still being anchored on expired principles of victor/vanquished of stronger/weaker nations; and on their fixed political interests.)
With the 'un-winnable' wars all around, neither President Obama nor Putin or any other national leader think it yet necessary to consider obtaining complete war prevention for all humanity -if at all attainable.
And it can easily be -but for their wish to retain their exclusive war-creation privileges!
3
Blaming the US or Obama or for that matter any other country is not going to solve the problem in Syria. If one argues that the refugees should be relocated first, we will need to relocate every single person in Syria. Alternatively if one wants the earliest solution to this burning issue, the primary conflict ( ISIS and feud between Shiites and Sunnis ), the triggering factors ( brutality-driven policies of the President of Syria) and the instigators ( the President and his close allies - Putin and China) should be targeted. Will Russia and China commit to hold hands with the rest of the Nations for a thorough clean up of the ISIS and hence the problem?
How come the rich nations nearby - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE refuse to accept the refugees from the region? The language , culture and religion anre identical, hence the refugees won't be subjected to an unnecessary culture shock and further suffering. Once the Syrian problems are solved, they can safely return to Syria. Finding of Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, along with Iraqis would raise suspicion to many EU and North American countries.
What we lack is a useful UNO.
How come the rich nations nearby - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE refuse to accept the refugees from the region? The language , culture and religion anre identical, hence the refugees won't be subjected to an unnecessary culture shock and further suffering. Once the Syrian problems are solved, they can safely return to Syria. Finding of Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, along with Iraqis would raise suspicion to many EU and North American countries.
What we lack is a useful UNO.
Wake up American leaders! Now is not the time to push up the curtain with your egos. Have we not learnt the outcomes of overthrowing the likes of Saddam, Gaddafi, Mubarak? I am not saying that dictatorship is right but these countries, like Syria are all tribal and results in their own in fighting and instabilities. This is something American leaderships never understood and means that democracy cannot be forced on countries like these, it only causes more problems. El-Assad is not the best guy, but he is better than the alternative.
3
If only we hadn't overthrown Saddam. It seems like every single problem in the middle east stems from that one poor decision. Then again, maybe the current state of affairs in the middle east was the point of the invasion after all.
3
It's now obvious that Putin and Lavrov have absolutely nobody to talk to, never mind negotiate with. Obama and Kerry have no plan, no ideas, nothing but the same hypocritical and sanctimonious hectoring that every American President regurgitates at these events, no matter that it's now so over the top with hypocrisy that it's simply bizarre. That's because they're absolutely powerless to formulate anything, as their role is simply that of a front-man for the MIC that dictates US policy. They are nothing more than messengers. I think Putin (amongst many) is well aware of this, and that may explain the extreme infrequency of his personal dealings with Obama. He addressed the American people directly in his NYT interview of a few years ago, and again through Charlie Rose the other evening. No matter what "side of the fence" one is on, this is cause for tremendous concern, and should be especially for the American people. They may as well have a hologram for a President.
3
The reason why Putin or Lavrov have no one to speak with is due to the invasion of a sovereign state and justifying said invasion with keeping ethnic Russians safe. If the justification over Crimea is that it has belonged to Russia historically; thus, should remain so, then should not Kaliningrad/Konigsberg belong to Germany? The reality is Putin does not trust the democracy that put him in the position in which he is in and takes every opportunity to undermine what he perceives as the great evil of the world--the west. His short sighted, self preservationist view point is why there is state run, state funded propaganda lambasting anything that is perceived to be American in Russia.
While American foreign policy is not by any means something that one should be proud of, the idea Putin's reasoning for circumventing diplomatic channels is because "he has no one to speak to" makes you it sound like you've been drinking the kool-aid. Putin circumvents these channels to pander to the same people who desire conservative "strong" leaders that brought us to this current situation in the first place. In short, Putin benefits from the mistakes of the West because he uses said mistakes to legitimize his repressive autocracy.
While American foreign policy is not by any means something that one should be proud of, the idea Putin's reasoning for circumventing diplomatic channels is because "he has no one to speak to" makes you it sound like you've been drinking the kool-aid. Putin circumvents these channels to pander to the same people who desire conservative "strong" leaders that brought us to this current situation in the first place. In short, Putin benefits from the mistakes of the West because he uses said mistakes to legitimize his repressive autocracy.
3
While I admire all the high ideals of democracy, peace etc. one must also be practical and realistic. Middle East is not suited for democracy - their mindset is not tuned to that principle. So let them live with dictators. Putin is right in saying that chaos begins when a dictator is removed as power vacuum sets in and usually a more nefarious tyrant than the deposed dictator takes hold of the country: Libya, Syria, Iraq etc. So keeping Assad in good humor (just as we support other dictators like Chinese and Saudis for example) to maintain some semblance of peace in Syria is better as it eases tensions in Middle East and thwarts future potential terrorist issues in Europe due to influx of migrants (not all of those coming there are good people, are they?). While we keep harping on Russian interests being the primary motive for Russia's own actions, pray what does US have as motivation? The exactly same reason - to serve its own interests. Otherwise why do we support dictators who are our friends if we truly believe in what we preach about democracy to others? So to put Russia in some sort of bad light while showing US as a beacon of selflessness is laughable.
5
Putin should know a thing or two about a tyrant coming to power after a country descends into anarchy!
4
Putin is willing to keep Assad in power to bolster his interest in the Middle East. He will assist with the removal of ISIS but not his staunchest ally. A broad Coalition should be involved in destroying ISIS and subsequently removing the Assad regime. A huge task with Putin arming the Assad regime and further cementing his relations. This is a a quagmire that the Obama administration did not create. It is disingenuous to blame President Obama for the rise of ISIS in Iraq and subsequently in Syria and Assad Killing of his own people. Under no conditions the United States should have started another war with Syria.
After the war in Iraq was over, the Iraqis did not want the US to establish a long presence in their country. A transitional Government under Mr. Nouri al-Maliki was established. The Iraqi Government Created ISIS with its own internal strifes.
After the war in Iraq was over, the Iraqis did not want the US to establish a long presence in their country. A transitional Government under Mr. Nouri al-Maliki was established. The Iraqi Government Created ISIS with its own internal strifes.
7
A little hope for a bit of sanity - just wonder how long it will last? Still, a completely blind eye on the reason why there is such a mess in the middle East: the roles of USA, Saudis, Emirates and Israel are below radar. Meanwhile, whither their insane politics there will be much less blood.
1
Is the Leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin, a puppet of Bashar al-Assad, and why is this Syrian tyrant still in power? In February 2014, America was at odds over whether we should intervene, and remained immune to the appeals of President Obama to put an end to this genocide, while the world watched on. Are things better now?
It is genocide with a capital 'G', and there is no point anymore in looking at photos of the casualties, if little concrete action is being taken on the part of most world leaders to crush this huge blight on humanity. The great disappointment for the Human Condition may be later when we realize that we did not learn from the young voice, one of the most powerful in the century last, who emerged amid the ruins during WWII to tell us all.
Some of us will always feel hurt and helpless in some way by the message from the above, and one does not want to be around perhaps if there will be another young voice, or more who have left on paper, or some other way their testimonies for help and salvation in the midst of dusty rubble that likely will be found at a later date, while unheard and somewhat dismissed today.
ISIL was not yet the force it is now and world leaders are trying to place the blame on each other? It is possible that President Obama sees not only red when facing Mr. Putin, but blood on his hands.
It is genocide with a capital 'G', and there is no point anymore in looking at photos of the casualties, if little concrete action is being taken on the part of most world leaders to crush this huge blight on humanity. The great disappointment for the Human Condition may be later when we realize that we did not learn from the young voice, one of the most powerful in the century last, who emerged amid the ruins during WWII to tell us all.
Some of us will always feel hurt and helpless in some way by the message from the above, and one does not want to be around perhaps if there will be another young voice, or more who have left on paper, or some other way their testimonies for help and salvation in the midst of dusty rubble that likely will be found at a later date, while unheard and somewhat dismissed today.
ISIL was not yet the force it is now and world leaders are trying to place the blame on each other? It is possible that President Obama sees not only red when facing Mr. Putin, but blood on his hands.
we should not support El Assad but we should not give arm to rebel which we do not for fact what is their goal .
1
Obama includes in readiness preparation of our armed forces social experimentation in human gender identification both in our military academies and the leadership of service branches. Putin builds operational war facilities in Syria. That isn't a trade. Whether it's somewhere between misfeasance of office and capitulation, certainly not the projection of relevant American interests in foreign affairs.
1
I don't think having the most powerful military in the world is of much use if you are unwilling to use it for fear of repeating a recent major misadventure. It is weakness to hold off for such a reason when the time for real, warranted action arrives — someone else will move in. With shrewdness and skill in maneuvering, a huge military might not even be so necessary, but unfortunately, the President lacks any visible qualities of such shrewdness, and seems to prefer to deal with military matters at arms length: with drones, missiles, bombs and of course words. We need a clever, daring, confident President.
1
Unfortunately the Unites States has lost all credibility and potency on the world stage after the illegal invasion of Iraq. The Russians have longer attention spans than Americans, and they have been watching us closely for the last decade.
Putin sees us for what we are: weak. George W. Bush left us fatally over-extended and exposed in Iraq. It was Obama's obligation to withdraw, and the American public will not tolerate another full scale intervention in the middle east at any cost. Europe has no interest in it either; they have refugees to accommodate.
So Russia does what any good chess player would do: she seizes the advantage. But slowly, and methodically. The recent accord between Russia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria sees Russia developing deeper in-roads in an area that the Unites States failed to dominate with overt force. Infiltration, cohesion, influence.
I hope Z-big has some tricks up his sleeve.
Putin sees us for what we are: weak. George W. Bush left us fatally over-extended and exposed in Iraq. It was Obama's obligation to withdraw, and the American public will not tolerate another full scale intervention in the middle east at any cost. Europe has no interest in it either; they have refugees to accommodate.
So Russia does what any good chess player would do: she seizes the advantage. But slowly, and methodically. The recent accord between Russia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria sees Russia developing deeper in-roads in an area that the Unites States failed to dominate with overt force. Infiltration, cohesion, influence.
I hope Z-big has some tricks up his sleeve.
6
Please do not exclude that during the 2012 presidential debates, Obama brushed off Romney about Russia still being a threat .....
That is nearly equivalent to Neville Chamberlain's reaction to Hitler...
That is nearly equivalent to Neville Chamberlain's reaction to Hitler...
The Chamberlain/Hitler analogy is used ad nauseam. To equate Putin's Russia to 1930's Nazi Germany is a gross exaggeration at best. I don't think Obama "brushed off" the fact that Russia is a threat. Any adversary with considerable power falls into that category, Obama and others were/are aware of that. The question is, that can we actually do about it?
Quote: "The Russians have longer attention spans than Americans, and they have been watching us closely for the last decade". Yes the average Russian has a long attention span. They also have been watching the USA for a lot longer than 10 years. Most now realise the so called Propaganda they were fed during the USSR times about the USA was to a large degree true. Far truer than the Propaganda the USA fed its people and still feeds it people. e.g. Ask a Russian about the Cuban crisis and they all simply say. "Yes a great triumph for Khrushchev. The USA in there normal arrogant way put Nukes on our border thinking they could do it with impunity. normal US arrogance. When he did it back to them they did not like it but in the end were forced to back down. End result the USA took there missiles off our border and guaranteed not to try to assassinate Castro for the 40th time or invade Cuba again". All true if you look at the facts. Something US media and the Political elite still try to twist to keep the US public ignorant. Who has been brainwashed the most? The Russian people or the people of the USA. The present situation is nothing but history repeating itself simply because the USA still acts far too often in a completely arrogant way.
Mr. Obama's criticism of Russia's defense of Syria sounds hypocritical because the United States has never EVER said it wanted the Assad regime to fall. The US has never EVER done anything to advocate the end of Assad. So, if Russia is pro-Assad, and the US has NEVER EVER made any statement about the Assad regime, then why all the vitriol? Actually, I think Putin was right to say that the US is responsible for invading Iraq and then withdrawing before the job was done. It created a destabilized Iraq and led to the formation of ISIS. Mr. Obama cannot defend himself against that criticism because it is true. So, he blames Russia for whatever.
5
Perhaps Obama needs to start a "anti-bully' campaign on Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets against Putin, Assad and Iran since it is obviously his foreign policies are not working....
1
It took Churchill to build the coalition with FDR and Stalin.
2
Reading on how and what Russia did to crush the Islamists in Chechnya, with little remorse or guilt, I would probably put my money on Putin's plan to suceed than our presidents.
3
Yes Putin won in Chechnya by simply using Special Forces and as best as possible only fight the extremists and gave those who did not want to fight a safe place to sit out the campaign. He knew that was the only way not to lose the war. You must come out of it with most people on your side. Win the hearts and minds of most of the people. The Yeltsin way using extensive Air Power and Artillery [Firepower] proved completely counter productive. He then consolidated position by putting in control the most popular Leader in Chechnya. Not the ideal leader but the best of a bad lot.
Typical Putin. Pragmatic, reasoned and logical. Never an idealist. Simply a realist.
Typical Putin. Pragmatic, reasoned and logical. Never an idealist. Simply a realist.
2
There is no solution to the crises in Syria. If Assad is removed who would replace him? If he stays wars will continue and so they will until the end for it is written:
"I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the Lord." Amos 1:5
"I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the Lord." Amos 1:5
ISIS does not need any support from Super Powers, they are capable of doing damage all over the world, in fact they are already doing it. Present day civilizations are created under European influences and are heading for self destruction, including destruction of planet Earth. Even Pope Francis wants prayers from us for Him.
it is embarrassing that our US trained ISIS fighters are numbered less than 10; and most capitulated to hand over US weaponry to the Terrorists according to Putin.
1
While our world leaders squabble, real families are suffering. Germany has stepped up, offering to take 800,000 refugees, and it’s time the United States did its part. There is a White House petition to resettle refugees in the U.S. that needs 7,350 more signatures by September 30 to reach the goal of 100,000, which triggers a White House response: http://bit.ly/syriawhitehouse
Compassion and education are the best weapons against violence and extremism. Please sign and share –this is your opportunity to show our government and the international community that Americans care!
Compassion and education are the best weapons against violence and extremism. Please sign and share –this is your opportunity to show our government and the international community that Americans care!
1
As we have seen in Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Darfur and other disasters, allowing these situations to go on without resolution allows them to morph in unimaginable ways, as we are now seeing in Syria. With tens of thousands of Christians and other minorities now at risk of death in Syria, someone has to take action to protect them and to end this humanitarian refugee disaster, some say unmatched since the end of World War II. Obama has no plan. His idea to arm rebels only ended giving more weapons to Jihadist. Putin has a plan and has committed troops, helicopter and jet fighters. Now is the time to work with Russia to end the civil war, then choose an acceptable transition figure and establish a stable new, inclusive government. Pushing back against Putin with no alternative plan simply continues the chaos and death. Give Putin some credit and work with him.
3
The only winner in this exchange is Putin. He defends the status quo, which now appears to be perpetual and benefits him by having Assad kill Islamist jihadists in Syria rather than forcing Putin to kill them in Russian enclaves. President Obama knows not WHAT to defend, except that he doesn't like the status quo, while not being willing to expend the effort and other resources to change it.
All Putin needs to do is breathe in and breathe out to get what he wants. Barack Obama needs to dramatically change how he approaches the entire Greater Middle East to bring about beneficial change. Guess who wins?
Complaining about realities on the ground while ignoring mistakes made for years gets us nowhere.
All Putin needs to do is breathe in and breathe out to get what he wants. Barack Obama needs to dramatically change how he approaches the entire Greater Middle East to bring about beneficial change. Guess who wins?
Complaining about realities on the ground while ignoring mistakes made for years gets us nowhere.
2
Obama criticizes Putin, ignoring his own role and that of the US in global interventions, covert actions, and regime change. America does not have clean hands; Obama especially, with his massive surveillance at home, should be the last to criticize either Putin or Assad--his own record of confrontation with Russia and China, his boast that America has the strongest military, his militarization of trade (TPP), his general demeanor, mark him as the most belligerent, officious president in modern memory.
Putin and Xi have a firm grasp of international politics, while Obama is the cowboy/braggart thoroughly at home with the use of force, not to say, drone assassination. To hear him criticize the others is sheer phoniness, as he brings America lower in the world's estimation.
Putin and Xi have a firm grasp of international politics, while Obama is the cowboy/braggart thoroughly at home with the use of force, not to say, drone assassination. To hear him criticize the others is sheer phoniness, as he brings America lower in the world's estimation.
6
Obama has always been more enthralled to search for "rainbow" resolutions for real world issues....
How important is it to mend ties with Cuba and to shut down Gitmo in light of all the more urgent world situations he fails to address as a commander in chief and world leader should...
How important is it to mend ties with Cuba and to shut down Gitmo in light of all the more urgent world situations he fails to address as a commander in chief and world leader should...
It's been clear to me for some time that Putin is to blame for the Syria debacle -- not because he supported Assad per se, but because he never tried to push Assad to the table. He just gave him guns.
Here's the bottom line, and Putin hasn't learned it: when there is an open, widespread rebellion against a government, the government has to come to the table. They have to address the problems. I doubt the rebels would have won in an open election; the Syrian people were very divided. But they needed to be addressed. Assad never felt he had to make any compromises because Putin was backing him -- another inflexible leader with an iron fist. They are two of a kind, and proof of how much damage an inflexible leader can do.
Here's the bottom line, and Putin hasn't learned it: when there is an open, widespread rebellion against a government, the government has to come to the table. They have to address the problems. I doubt the rebels would have won in an open election; the Syrian people were very divided. But they needed to be addressed. Assad never felt he had to make any compromises because Putin was backing him -- another inflexible leader with an iron fist. They are two of a kind, and proof of how much damage an inflexible leader can do.
2
Bush and the NeoCons caused this mess.
5
If POTUS acts like the right-wing of the GOP in the House, we will be totally marginized in the Middle East. To tie ASSAD to the defeat of ISIS is a losing proposition. To castigate Assad as evil and we don't deal with evil people like that is hypocritical considering our aiding of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States re: Yemen. Good politics says deal with ISIS first and then work out something for a stable Syria second. Don't link them. One must answer the question, what comes after ISIS and the defeat of the present legitimate government in Syria. Another Libya? Egypt? Iraq? Afghanistan?
6
President Putin seems to be one of those who think the problem with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was that they didn't try kill enough people. He sees a (super)power vacuum and he'll have a go at it. What exactly "it" is, he has no clue. He's poking, prodding, a nudge here, a throw there, trying to change the status quo of sanctions and an economy in free-fall, lurching from crisis to crisis, trusting that, like John Rambo, in the end he'll still be standing, shirtless and triumphant.
4
I, for one, was happy to see Obama bluntly state what is going on, including his cutting assessment of Putin and Russian actions - in this instance very nearly directly to his face. While I confess to not having even the vaguest idea of how to solve the Syrian crisis or any of the other myriad problems plaguing the world right now, I love reading comment after comment here deriding Mr. Obama for weakness, lack of resolve, lack of leadership, and on and on - yet each comment utterly bereft of even a single suggestion, solution, recommendation. Even worse are those who imply - either subtly or not so - that military action - always military action - is the answer. Until you can offer thoughtful, constructive criticism - of which plenty can be made - perhaps just step away from the keyboard and ponder the complexity of the situation for a few moments, instead of just knee jerk shouting Republican talking points.
3
I also enjoyed Obama's speech. Especially the irony of berating Russia for not respecting the sovereignty of an illegal coup and respecting a legally elected leader in Syria.
It's pretty damn obvious that any undeveloped country that begins to grow strong and stable is suddenly turned into a destroyed mess after promises of freedom and democracy. And the worst thing is we still buy this same bull of fairytale ideologies and blame Russia when things go wrong.
If Obama truly wanted to be blunt he would stop his cute speeches about caring for human rights and admit that America, like any other country, has strong national interests. Except that our interests are more aligned with the rich few than the majority... In typical capitalistic fashion.
It's pretty damn obvious that any undeveloped country that begins to grow strong and stable is suddenly turned into a destroyed mess after promises of freedom and democracy. And the worst thing is we still buy this same bull of fairytale ideologies and blame Russia when things go wrong.
If Obama truly wanted to be blunt he would stop his cute speeches about caring for human rights and admit that America, like any other country, has strong national interests. Except that our interests are more aligned with the rich few than the majority... In typical capitalistic fashion.
As a Navy veteran I would like to be able to believe that Mr. Obama is as marvelous a thinker as he is a talker. His speech at the UN, however, sad to say, comes nowhere near to being as intelligent and to the point as the speech of Mr. Putin. Mr. Obama has been all over the landscape in his misjudgments in Afghanistan and Iraq and Libya and Syria but he still delivers a collection of homilies that have little to do with solving the real problems we face with much of the Moslem world. On the other hand, Mr. Putin dealt with the specific problem areas we face and his words seemed at times might have been taken from our Declaration of Independence. I am greatly heartened by Mr. Putin's speech and hope, as he seemed to indicate, that our two countries can, and must, in the future deal more honestly with out differences than they have in the past
4
More love letters Putin.
Too funny.
Too funny.
I'm with Putin on this one.
We have destabilized everyplace where we've waged war in the area, and it turns out that stability is more mportant than idealistic nonsense.
Our way if dong business broke the place. Maybe Putin can fix it?
We have destabilized everyplace where we've waged war in the area, and it turns out that stability is more mportant than idealistic nonsense.
Our way if dong business broke the place. Maybe Putin can fix it?
6
This was a good event, an important event for both President Obama and President Putin to make their public cases to the US domestic audience and also the world. When refugees are WALKING to Europe from the mess in Syria and Iraq, then all the important players in the region and world, despite their differences, accept action is going to have to occur to bring remedy, and coordinated action is best so nobody is stuck with the entire bill and the forthcoming domestic political punches at home from acting alone in a place as complicated and long-term sticky as Syria. Putin cannot afford to go it alone anywhere, short of nucs. The US and it's allies want assurances on what Syria is going to look like, post Bashar. And Bashar is going to exit, at some point. SOMEONE in Syrian leadership has to be accountable for Syria today. Accountability starts at the top, fair or not fair has no bearing. Russia can keep it's long-term interests and friends in Syria, nothing wrong with that. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the Gulf countries, why have they believed a solution can be formed in Syria without Shia help and approval? These countries had little influence in Syria prior to war there. It's desirable, but not rational. It appears all parties are talking and coming together, despite public posturing, on some kind of action path for ISIS and Syria. Why else would the French now be flying missions over Syria? Get right in there....
Dear Mr. Putin: Thank you for sending your troops into Syria to fight Isis the scourge of the earth instead of just making pretty speeches with no substance. Russia is lucky to have a real leader instead of a community organizer that had absolutely no experience at anything at the time that he was sworn in as president. There are millions of Americans that often wonder which side Mr. Obama is on as he cannot even bring himself to use the term Radical Islam. Instead of sitting on you hands on the sidelines you are taking decisive action to fight the enemy and save the Syrian people.
5
Another Republican Putin lover.
The right's man crush on Putin is hilarious. They favor a dictator over there own President. What patriots, huh?
The right's man crush on Putin is hilarious. They favor a dictator over there own President. What patriots, huh?
1
“In accordance with this logic, we should support tyrants like Bashar al-Assad who drops barrel bombs to massacre innocent civilians". According to the transcript Obama went on to say "When a dictator slaughters tens of thousands of his own people, that is not just a matter of one nation's internal affairs, it breeds human suffering on an order of magnitude that affects us all."
However while the world has watched for over 2 years now as Assad has dropped his barrel bombs and thought that it was a war crime of the greatest and most severe magnitude, the world has also watched how the one person who could have demanded that it stop was seemingly not effected by it at all.
When Assad dared to cross Obama's personal red line, Obama had no problem ordering ships to within their missiles striking distance to Syria, and made threats that Assad took most seriously.
If Obama took as seriously the mass murder of tens of thousands as he took Assad's audacity to violate his "red line" surely he would demanded that if Assad does not stop the bombings he will call back those same ships with their missiles with the ability to inflict serious harm on Assad.
But he did no such thing. His plan for these bombings is to stand by silently and say nothing and do nothing about them and that they shall go on for the foreseeable future.
So this criticism is both false and insincere. It is a desperate last word while Putin pushes him aside and takes his place in the world's fight against ISIS.
However while the world has watched for over 2 years now as Assad has dropped his barrel bombs and thought that it was a war crime of the greatest and most severe magnitude, the world has also watched how the one person who could have demanded that it stop was seemingly not effected by it at all.
When Assad dared to cross Obama's personal red line, Obama had no problem ordering ships to within their missiles striking distance to Syria, and made threats that Assad took most seriously.
If Obama took as seriously the mass murder of tens of thousands as he took Assad's audacity to violate his "red line" surely he would demanded that if Assad does not stop the bombings he will call back those same ships with their missiles with the ability to inflict serious harm on Assad.
But he did no such thing. His plan for these bombings is to stand by silently and say nothing and do nothing about them and that they shall go on for the foreseeable future.
So this criticism is both false and insincere. It is a desperate last word while Putin pushes him aside and takes his place in the world's fight against ISIS.
2
It is disappointing that no national leader at the UN admits that it is rapidly becoming impossible to win a war -in the Middle East or anywhere else. The best that can be easily achieved are the such short-term aims as killing Gaddafi or removing Saddam Hussein from power -after extensive disruption of their countries.
Then come the long-term transformations of victim-countries' from well ordered/affluent societies into unstable/poor ones; and the desperate migrations into Europe and the USA. These are yet not considered by affluent/powerful leaders as their resounding long-term 'war-defeat'. The burgeoning refugees' migrations could later cause severe socio-cultural and economic changes, with instability/urban conflicts for their children/grand children in their own countries.
The leaders' belligerent speeches at the UN General Assembly seem oblivious of these and are still based only on old/expired principles of victor/vanquished of stronger/weaker nations; and their fixed political interests.
Hence, no national leader thinks and talks of the need now for complete war prevention for all humanity -if attainable.
And it can be -but for their exclusive war-creation privileges!
Then come the long-term transformations of victim-countries' from well ordered/affluent societies into unstable/poor ones; and the desperate migrations into Europe and the USA. These are yet not considered by affluent/powerful leaders as their resounding long-term 'war-defeat'. The burgeoning refugees' migrations could later cause severe socio-cultural and economic changes, with instability/urban conflicts for their children/grand children in their own countries.
The leaders' belligerent speeches at the UN General Assembly seem oblivious of these and are still based only on old/expired principles of victor/vanquished of stronger/weaker nations; and their fixed political interests.
Hence, no national leader thinks and talks of the need now for complete war prevention for all humanity -if attainable.
And it can be -but for their exclusive war-creation privileges!
1
Although I support president Obama on most issues involving foreign relations, I believe that president Putin's ideas on how to defeat ISIS are much more realistic and have a greater chance of success than Obama's. Mr. Obama wants to see a diplomatic solution to the Syrian situation, with Mr. Assad's regime replaced by some sort of democratic government; this is wishful thinking which has very little chance of actually happening, and at this point also appears to be a strategy constructed to avoid further involvement and a real solution. Mr. Putin's strategy to put together a coalition to fight ISIS on a number of fronts is certainly more workable and has a much greater probability of success. If you doubt this, just recall that George W. Bush attempted to create democratic governments in Iraq and Afghanistan with at best very marginal success. Why does Mr. Obama think he can do better in Syria?
2
Wow! The body language says it all. No words need to exchanged!
1
Unfortunately there's no solution to that part of the world that doesn't involve a significant use of force. The question is which country, or countries, is willing to exercise that force, and sacrifice proportionately in blood and treasure.
Apparently, the US, even with a "breakthrough" President is utterly unable to honestly and intelligently assess key international developments. The US wants to blame everyone, but never takes responsibility for undermining governments when those actions backfire - as they did through the Middle East "Spring" and in the Ukraine. First the US undermines a government it is ideologically opposed to or has a financial interest in, then it blames everyone else when the fallout of a government collapse does conform with the fairy tale expectations of the US. It seems that Russia much more often appreciates the complexity of some of these situations and shows a degree of restrain the US seems incapable of. Even in the Ukraine and Georgia Russia limited its support to the extent that support for pro-Russian factions did not extend beyond resolving the crisis created by US support for aggression by pro-Western factions. Abkhazia and South Ossetia and Crimea were supported in their desire to remain free of abusive control by pro-Western factions, and no further incursions into Georgia or Ukraine occurred - despite doomsday predictions by the US. The Minsk accords, supported by Russia, provide for autonomy within a federal system - but apparently the pro-Western government in Kiev will not be satisfied unless it dictates the terms of any settlement - regardless of Minsk. Of course Russia is to blame and the US blameless for interfering in the Ukraine.
6
It is disappointing that no national leader at the UN admits that it is rapidly becoming impossible to win a war -in the Middle East or anywhere else. The best that can be easily achieved are such short-term aims as killing Gaddafi or removing Saddam Hussein from power -after extensive disruption of their countries.
Then come the long-term transformations of 'victim-countries' from well ordered/affluent societies into unstable/poor ones; and the desperate migrations into Europe and the USA. These are yet not considered by affluent/powerful leaders as their resounding long-term 'war-defeat'. The burgeoning refugees' migrations could later cause severe socio-cultural and economic changes, with instability/urban conflicts for their children/grand children in their own countries.
These powerful leaders' belligerent speeches at the UN General Assembly seem oblivious of these realities; but are still based only on old/expired principles of victor/vanquished of stronger/weaker nations.
Hence, neither Pres. Obama nor Putin or any national leader now thinks and talks of the need for complete war prevention for all humanity -if attainable. And it can be -but for their exclusive war-creation privileges!
Then come the long-term transformations of 'victim-countries' from well ordered/affluent societies into unstable/poor ones; and the desperate migrations into Europe and the USA. These are yet not considered by affluent/powerful leaders as their resounding long-term 'war-defeat'. The burgeoning refugees' migrations could later cause severe socio-cultural and economic changes, with instability/urban conflicts for their children/grand children in their own countries.
These powerful leaders' belligerent speeches at the UN General Assembly seem oblivious of these realities; but are still based only on old/expired principles of victor/vanquished of stronger/weaker nations.
Hence, neither Pres. Obama nor Putin or any national leader now thinks and talks of the need for complete war prevention for all humanity -if attainable. And it can be -but for their exclusive war-creation privileges!
1
Russia has lots of oil/gas that the EU and the US want to control...also the Arctic that belongs to Russia is huge,,,has gold and oil/gas...wars are about stealing Nat resources..Ukraine also has that rich soil that others covet..Bombing Syria has made things much worse,but that is the idea
2
Weapons for mass destruction are on SALE, special discount for Iraq and Syria regional fight...buy weapons to save democracy and kill mankind...if Syrian and Iraqi people are happier with terrorists administration, we can't let that happen and if they do not continue war...we will continue it in their region...
Now that almost everyone, at least in the West and in Russian and maybe China as well, acknowledge ISIS is the threat in the Middle East, maybe the Security Council could vote to establish a UN ground force to combat ISIS. I would like to propose that the Big Five, plus Germany be joined by ground forces of Israel and the likes of Saudi Arabia to constitute such a ground force. I am serious, hoping that such a composition in a UN force may advance peace in the ME, especially between Israel and the Arabs.
3
'Mr. Obama also chided China for its expansions in the South China Sea ...'
Hmmm..
As opposed to the American pivot to Asia, he means?
Hmmm..
As opposed to the American pivot to Asia, he means?
3
Now that comments suggesting detente with Russia are being voted up in the Times, why not use this newly found freedom of speech and call out the two remaining elephants in the room:
One, foreign policy of the United States in the past 8 years has not really been run by the White House, but by the uppers echelons of the State Department, DoD and the CIA, along with the rogue Congress, who did not give a hoot about the Commander in Chief, and instead set and executed their own foreign policies that almost triggered an armed conflict with the other nuclear super-power, among other things. The fact that President Obama is still somehow managing to clean up the mess these people leave in their trails is nothing short of amazing.
Two, "Assad Must Go" actually translates as "Any Possible WMD Missile Threat to Israel from the North Must be Eliminated at All Cost". Therefore no Syria peace plan will be achieved without adequate security guarantees for Israel. An over-arching, comprehensive peace conference for the wider Middle East will be needed, which will have to find answers to many lingering painful issues and old wounds. All will have to participate.
Hope I cleared it up a bit.
One, foreign policy of the United States in the past 8 years has not really been run by the White House, but by the uppers echelons of the State Department, DoD and the CIA, along with the rogue Congress, who did not give a hoot about the Commander in Chief, and instead set and executed their own foreign policies that almost triggered an armed conflict with the other nuclear super-power, among other things. The fact that President Obama is still somehow managing to clean up the mess these people leave in their trails is nothing short of amazing.
Two, "Assad Must Go" actually translates as "Any Possible WMD Missile Threat to Israel from the North Must be Eliminated at All Cost". Therefore no Syria peace plan will be achieved without adequate security guarantees for Israel. An over-arching, comprehensive peace conference for the wider Middle East will be needed, which will have to find answers to many lingering painful issues and old wounds. All will have to participate.
Hope I cleared it up a bit.
3
The record of disposong of autocratic dictators n Arab countries is dismal. Iraq,Libya and now Syria. A worse outcome could not have been planned.
Now Iran and Isis have been given free reign to carve up what's left. Nice going.
Now Iran and Isis have been given free reign to carve up what's left. Nice going.
1
The President's mugging, long face and storming off was embarrassing. President Obama needs to grow up and fast. He represents the American people -- not himself.
It should have come as no surprise that Putin is an egomaniac. And the Russian leader didn't get the memo that everyone is supposed to fawn all over Barack Obama. The Russians have no need to feel guilt over centuries of American racism.
So, be the bigger person Mr. President. Did you learn nothing from being in the company of the Pope? Peoples' lives are at stake.
It should have come as no surprise that Putin is an egomaniac. And the Russian leader didn't get the memo that everyone is supposed to fawn all over Barack Obama. The Russians have no need to feel guilt over centuries of American racism.
So, be the bigger person Mr. President. Did you learn nothing from being in the company of the Pope? Peoples' lives are at stake.
5
The HUGE elephant in the Middle East is still the occupation of Palestinian land by Israel. If that had been solved I doubt that many of the actual conflicts would have risen. Its the sore thumb that sticks out in everybody´s eye. An example that shows the world that might is right.
5
The White House requires a resident who commands respect from potential adversaries. This one doesn't.
The president is out of his depth.
The world is a more dangerous place because of it..
The president is out of his depth.
The world is a more dangerous place because of it..
4
Must be awful to be so frightened.
I read that there are a lot of Putin admires who believe a stable Bashar Assad is the solution. Obviously not a single one have paid attention to the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing Syria. If stability means gassing your own people and causing this kind of human exodus then I'm missing something - which I'm sure I am not!
Simply deposing Assad will stabilize Syria just as much getting rid of the Hussein (who also gassed his own people) stabilized Iraq.
Only by supporting a legitimate opposition to Assad and helping Syria with a democratic nation building will we see stability. Sorry Putin but you can for obvious reasons be of no help here.
Mr. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon the world needs your help.
Simply deposing Assad will stabilize Syria just as much getting rid of the Hussein (who also gassed his own people) stabilized Iraq.
Only by supporting a legitimate opposition to Assad and helping Syria with a democratic nation building will we see stability. Sorry Putin but you can for obvious reasons be of no help here.
Mr. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon the world needs your help.
1
You know, Assad has been in power for years. The refugees only came after the gaze of democracy turned to Syria.
We failed with Iraq. We failed with Egypt. We failed with Libya. But let's keep doing what we're doing with Syria and it might just work. But if it doesn't work, we will suddenly forget about the woes of these poor and oppressed people and find the next group to worry about.
We failed with Iraq. We failed with Egypt. We failed with Libya. But let's keep doing what we're doing with Syria and it might just work. But if it doesn't work, we will suddenly forget about the woes of these poor and oppressed people and find the next group to worry about.
Putin sees a challenge and an opportunity. Even with Russia's weak economy he will take control of the situation and defeat ISIS. Obama sees the same challenge and looks for ways to ignore it. Now we have refugees instead of the defeat of ISIS and will now be embarrassed as Putin shows the world how battles are won. Obama's insistence on no ground forces totally hog tied the Pentagon. Obama has purged our military of our best generals with his ridiculous demand of not using our military as they are trained to fight. Now a new scandal with the intelligence from Syria being sugar coated for the press. What next? No, don't tell me.
1
Let Putin and the Russians own ISIS and Syria, let them deal with the immigration issues, they are asking for it, give it to them.
4
If it was anybody else, besides Putin and Iran, it would be beyond belief that anyone could stand before an audience and support President Assad of Syria. I guess not much has changed since the end of the cold war. We still have the good, the bad, and the downright evil.
1
Absolutely the most useful thing that Putin could say and do in sobering-up Obama to his responsibility for igniting global conflict would be to reprise what Lloyd Bentsen lectured Dan Quayle on in the '88 campaign:
"Mister Obama, I knew Empire, I saw the damage that dreams of Global Empire caused my country, and you sir are allowing a Disguised Global Crony-Capitalist Empire to run rough-shod over your country."
"Mr. Obama, I knew Empire, I had to pick-up the pieces of Empire after my country collapsed, and 'your country is no country', sir --- but merely acting like a well disguised and dangerous global Empire --- and you better wake-up and do something to save your country from Empire first, and then together we can agree to pull back from this lunacy of Empire war preparation, as your Kennedy and our Khrushchev did by acting as "men of good faith" against the pressures toward global Empire in '62."
If Obama doesn't have the courage to face the fact that our country is acting like an Empire, hopefully Bernie and/or Jim Webb will.
"Mister Obama, I knew Empire, I saw the damage that dreams of Global Empire caused my country, and you sir are allowing a Disguised Global Crony-Capitalist Empire to run rough-shod over your country."
"Mr. Obama, I knew Empire, I had to pick-up the pieces of Empire after my country collapsed, and 'your country is no country', sir --- but merely acting like a well disguised and dangerous global Empire --- and you better wake-up and do something to save your country from Empire first, and then together we can agree to pull back from this lunacy of Empire war preparation, as your Kennedy and our Khrushchev did by acting as "men of good faith" against the pressures toward global Empire in '62."
If Obama doesn't have the courage to face the fact that our country is acting like an Empire, hopefully Bernie and/or Jim Webb will.
4
What wrong with us, just pull out let the Russian find their grave yard. We have nothing to gain or just more losses just leave Syria, Iran, Iraq and the rest of these worthless middle east counties and people.
3
Let the Russians lead - their victory in Afghanistan remains a model of tactical and politcaL success!
4
What a monumental waste of time and money. I give this exchange about the same credibility as the WWF; it appeals to the same level of mentality. It's all to apparent that our politicians have learned nothing from past experience and continue to make the same mistakes over and over and over. Of course it makes little or no difference because all the real danger emanates from entirely hidden powers, probably in middle eastern Europe. In short we really have no idea who is in charge of our world.
The war in Syria should end as soon as possible. Or else, the refugees will overwhelm the whole world, which can be challenging for any well-off countries to take in in short time, and might even lead to the precarious politics in these countries. Allegedly, it will cause the worldwide pandemonium in the near future. Russia and Iran should reconsider their quaint and outlandish actions and China should also take on the responsibility. On this matter, I believe westernized strategy will be an ultimate solution to Syria problem and I wish Russia, Iran and China would not be the hindrance to the world peace and steadiness.
Finally, by the way, I am impressed by what Obama has said in the speech, when it comes to the dictatorship: "You can jail your opponents but you can’t imprison ideas"
Finally, by the way, I am impressed by what Obama has said in the speech, when it comes to the dictatorship: "You can jail your opponents but you can’t imprison ideas"
2
Talking through conflict is always preferable to trying to resolve it by armed struggle. Basic humanity, about which some national leaders care in a non-tribal way, simply demands that everything be done to avoid war.
That said, it is very hard to talk with an opponent who has adopted outright lying as standard negotiating practice and warfare to satisfy an outsized power lust. What do you say to him? How do you believe her? What is the purpose of communicating? What are the alternatively constructive tactics.
Merely posing such questions makes the questioner feel helpless and stupid. The problem is, there seems to be nobody smarter.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
That said, it is very hard to talk with an opponent who has adopted outright lying as standard negotiating practice and warfare to satisfy an outsized power lust. What do you say to him? How do you believe her? What is the purpose of communicating? What are the alternatively constructive tactics.
Merely posing such questions makes the questioner feel helpless and stupid. The problem is, there seems to be nobody smarter.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
Lying is part and parcel of negotiations between adversaries. It is very effective in getting your position satisfied.
Mr. Obama's speech tested every level of credulity. Perhaps its most glaring inconsistency was a very plainly stated militant unilateralism, followed by a self-serving call for diplomacy and respect for international law. The U.S. has normalized its exceptionalism, and excludes itself from the purview of international norms.
12
i think those poor refugees know exactly what they are running away from: the playground of the mighty of this world who have just divided the spoils of the future.
if Russia succeeds in its big game plan who and what is next on its horizon?
if Russia succeeds in its big game plan who and what is next on its horizon?
3
Despite our disagreements with Mr. Putin, both what he and Mr. Obama said today at the U.N. made for some thought provoking and compelling listening. Both had given considerable thought to their presentations and attempted to frame the problems and their solutions in some sort of historical "cause and effect" framework. Taken for what they were and given the gravity of their implications, the Putin/Obama dialogue made the Republican debate presentations appear wholly childish while reminding us that a Presidential campaign is no joke.
7
While we may not agree with all of Putin's actions, and while his democratic values may not be up to par, he shows leadership and backbone, both of which are MIA on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
13
Arming a violent dictator is not showing "backbone."
We armed Saddam Hussein. Look how that turned out. We armed Afghanistan's Mujahadeen. They turned into the Taliban. We armed the warlords in Iraq, many of whom now work with ISIS, using our weapons.
Arming a dictator can create a temporary peace, as it did in Iraq. Lasting peace comes from the will of the people, not from the iron will of a big man -- and certainly not from the U.S. military stepping in to throw its weight around while our wealthy make money off military contracts.
We armed Saddam Hussein. Look how that turned out. We armed Afghanistan's Mujahadeen. They turned into the Taliban. We armed the warlords in Iraq, many of whom now work with ISIS, using our weapons.
Arming a dictator can create a temporary peace, as it did in Iraq. Lasting peace comes from the will of the people, not from the iron will of a big man -- and certainly not from the U.S. military stepping in to throw its weight around while our wealthy make money off military contracts.
I don't know the answer here but there are infinite shades of gray; no matter the fall out in Syria Republicans will lame blame at Obama's feet and probably continue their nauseating love affair with Putin and Netenyahu. I appreciate Obama's approach there because he realizes that piecemeal intervention is not effective and wholesale intervention is untenable; it's the Hippocratic Oath of foreign affairs. I
2
After years of Obama doing nothing in Syria all he has to offer is his criticism of Putin who is ready to take concrete action in both the fight against ISIS and in the war in Syria at the invitation of the parties in the region.
Obama's critique; that he believes that "Assad must go". He is at this stage no more than an arm chair critic, one that has no plan of his own, but is merely there to disagree with the policies of others, others that are ready and set to act.
So Putin is once again going to push him aside in Syria and take command of the situation. He will be the one who will be providing the air power and more so that those on the ground can get their fight on.
This will be not just in Syria but in Iraq also where both the Iraqi government along with general Sulemani from Iran have entered into an agreement with Russia to fight ISIS.
This is the general who had the only success at ousting ISIS from a city in Iraq, but when he needed some air support Obama ordered his forces leave while the American bombing took place.
And the Iraqi government who had Shiite forces ready to go in and retake Mosul and Anbar, is done with taking orders from Obama not to fight unless they use Sunni fighters that do not exist
So while Putin along with Iraq, the Kurds and Iran finally give ISIS the fight the world has been waiting for, Obama will fade into history as the president who made the US irrelevant, useless and unreliable in the most important region of the world.
Obama's critique; that he believes that "Assad must go". He is at this stage no more than an arm chair critic, one that has no plan of his own, but is merely there to disagree with the policies of others, others that are ready and set to act.
So Putin is once again going to push him aside in Syria and take command of the situation. He will be the one who will be providing the air power and more so that those on the ground can get their fight on.
This will be not just in Syria but in Iraq also where both the Iraqi government along with general Sulemani from Iran have entered into an agreement with Russia to fight ISIS.
This is the general who had the only success at ousting ISIS from a city in Iraq, but when he needed some air support Obama ordered his forces leave while the American bombing took place.
And the Iraqi government who had Shiite forces ready to go in and retake Mosul and Anbar, is done with taking orders from Obama not to fight unless they use Sunni fighters that do not exist
So while Putin along with Iraq, the Kurds and Iran finally give ISIS the fight the world has been waiting for, Obama will fade into history as the president who made the US irrelevant, useless and unreliable in the most important region of the world.
7
Vladimir is losing his hair at the same rate that he is losing his wits!
4
There are only two "forces" at work in this region: those wielding power for their and its own sake and those seeking to kill the other for the joy of killing. We are wandering.
1
This all started when Assad had Hariri assassinated. Assad overplayed his cards and has inflicted a civil war on his own country. The Russians, true to form, care for nothing except protecting their investment. The ultimate irony is that the actual value of that investment is dubious at best. Meanwhile, fatalities from the conflict are in the hundreds of thousands but are largely ignored by the media, a media that instead choses to demonize Israel, the country with by far the best human rights record in the region. I'll have another shot of whiskey please.
2
Even the FBI made deals with Mafia.
2
Putin and his ally, Assad, carry as much responsibility for the growth of jihadist extremism as anyone on earth, maybe more. They both abuse their own citizens. We will have to be very, very careful if we decide to work with either of them. They have additional agendas, beyond defeating the opposition.
5
Putin does need Obama to work with him. He has reached agreements with the Iraqi's, Iranians and Syria. And Obama is not just irrelevant to Putin. He proved himself to be incapable and incompetent when in regard to the whole of the middle east. Of course he may just be incapable and incompetent in general.
The US should be the last state to lecture anyone about diplomacy, democracy and high principles. The hypocrisy and contradictions of US foreign policy in the world and the middle east can be summed up in two words, SAUDI ARABIA.
11
Assad heads a mafia clan which has killed 90% of the civilians in Syria according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch. The regime also was instrumental in releasing extremists to give rise to ISIS and has refrained from serious attacks on them and vice versa. Many leftists are dupes of the likes of Milosevic, Putin, and Assad and thus also become fellow travellers with crypto-fascists thugs. For his part, following the cynical example of the US during the Bosnian and Rwandan genocides, Obama has only engaged in rhetoric without even bothering to lift a finger to impose a no fly zone against Assads antiquated air force and barrel bombs. Thus the Syrian people like the Bosnians, Chechens, Yemenis, and Rwandans confront genocide from the ignorance and cynicism of both the left and the right.
4
President Obama & Sec'y Clinton severely criticized Mitt Romney in 2012 for his statements that Russia was an adversary. They were going to push a "reset button" for the U.S. Russia relationship. Their "reset" has not gone well.
The U.S. & NATO backed an overthrow coup in the Ukraine to get rid of a pro-Russian leader, replacing him with a pro-Western leader, not waiting for the scheduled democratic elections. Now Obama's team wants NATO to send military support to this new regime.
Looking back at history, Ukraine & the Crimea have been part of Russia throughout the modern era--until 1989, only 26 years ago. And Russia was disastrously invaded from the West in two world wars. They remember that, and have every right to feel uncomfortable with Western military forces on their borders. President Putin is simply playing a strong diplomatic game on behalf of his country. His leadership in the Syrian chemical weapons issue was very helpful. He really might be right on the need to resolve the ISIS issue first.
The U.S. & NATO backed an overthrow coup in the Ukraine to get rid of a pro-Russian leader, replacing him with a pro-Western leader, not waiting for the scheduled democratic elections. Now Obama's team wants NATO to send military support to this new regime.
Looking back at history, Ukraine & the Crimea have been part of Russia throughout the modern era--until 1989, only 26 years ago. And Russia was disastrously invaded from the West in two world wars. They remember that, and have every right to feel uncomfortable with Western military forces on their borders. President Putin is simply playing a strong diplomatic game on behalf of his country. His leadership in the Syrian chemical weapons issue was very helpful. He really might be right on the need to resolve the ISIS issue first.
8
The middle east is a mess. Bush/Cheney's strategy of regime change through chaos to hopefully drive democracy and country building in the region proved a fools errand. Obama's attempt to withdraw the US from the region and initiate diplomacy on it's face was ideal. But no good deed goes unpunished. US could not be too forceful in Syria without causing problems with Russia. Libya just reinforced the lessons that Bush/Cheney received in that just b/c you throw out a dictatorship, does not mean the liberated people have the ability to install a positive controlling government. Which seems to bring back the notion that for diplomacy and/or military action to work, all interested parties need to be on board or competing interests will work behind the scenes to disrupt best laid plans.
3
What a nice four-way: Russia, Iran, Iraq and Syria.
This is a direct consequence of the Obama, Clinton and Kerry State department policy of "so called" Arab Spring and the "so called" Iran Nuclear Treaty. Why does Iran need a nuclear weapon when they own the Middle East?
This is a direct consequence of the Obama, Clinton and Kerry State department policy of "so called" Arab Spring and the "so called" Iran Nuclear Treaty. Why does Iran need a nuclear weapon when they own the Middle East?
3
If the authoritarian regimes of the "former" soviet union and iran want to be mired in this, let them. we have no interests in the region and we are better off if iran and russia and fighting isis. there is no effective government in much of the region and we have NO actual allies (sorry bibi and saudi's, but why should be subsidize either of you?). Iran still has 'death to america" day and anything bad for them is good and russia protects all manner of illegal activity and should never be trusted at all. Let them become the primary enemy of isis; let israel defend itself.
I hope the US has a two-faced ME policy. Publicly and for domestic political reasons we should support democracy, religious freedom, and women's rights. Discreetly we should consider what CAN be done with the cultures and economies there. If democracy is based on secular humanism , and we are in a region defined by religious beliefs where people seem solely concerned with their group and many are illiterate, then democracy is beyond the horizon. Reasonable goals are reducing dangers outside the region and stability as the people hopefully progress from the 7th Century to the 18th Century.
1
If Putin would offer to take in thousands of refugees from Syria, that would be his most helpful contribution to peace.
2
In Russia came only 2.6 million refugees from Ukraine !!! And Russia did not has convened the UN Security Council! And all refugees accepted and does not shout it to the world! And it is only from Ukraine!
The problem here is not Assad. He had very little impact on the lives of ordinary people when there was no war in Syria. Ordinary people were going about their lives, their daily affairs were running on automatic. These people would wake up, do whatever they did to earn money, and spend it to "LIVE".
These wars are a result to destabilize the entire region around Israel. The grand scheme is to ensure that there is no stable country near Israel who could challenge Israel in its endeavors of expansion and taking over entire Jerusalem... I can go on and on. Look and what you see: Iraq is in shambles, there is no cohesive government, internal conflicts and civil disorder. Syria, same situation and if Assad is forcibly removed then total anarchy. Lebanon, Jordan and all around these countries are dealing with all the refugee crisis which NO one talks about. There is only talk about the refugees filling Europe and an handful being taken by US, Canada, and Australia. End result, chaos all over.
The real solution is that all foreign powers need to mind their business, not supply anyone with arms...yes, these guns and mortars and other stuff is coming from somewhere. ISIS, or ISIL or other thugs are not making this stuff themselves---someone is giving it to them. I surely cannot get an AK-47 or a grenade down at my supermarket, or even at a Walmart in Texas, if I went there. And, finally if we do not like what a foreign leader is doing, we DO NO BUSINESS WITH HIM.
These wars are a result to destabilize the entire region around Israel. The grand scheme is to ensure that there is no stable country near Israel who could challenge Israel in its endeavors of expansion and taking over entire Jerusalem... I can go on and on. Look and what you see: Iraq is in shambles, there is no cohesive government, internal conflicts and civil disorder. Syria, same situation and if Assad is forcibly removed then total anarchy. Lebanon, Jordan and all around these countries are dealing with all the refugee crisis which NO one talks about. There is only talk about the refugees filling Europe and an handful being taken by US, Canada, and Australia. End result, chaos all over.
The real solution is that all foreign powers need to mind their business, not supply anyone with arms...yes, these guns and mortars and other stuff is coming from somewhere. ISIS, or ISIL or other thugs are not making this stuff themselves---someone is giving it to them. I surely cannot get an AK-47 or a grenade down at my supermarket, or even at a Walmart in Texas, if I went there. And, finally if we do not like what a foreign leader is doing, we DO NO BUSINESS WITH HIM.
8
The "coalition" now consists of Russia, Syria, Iraq and Iran. If this new reality were not so dangerous it would be comical. How the mighty have fallen! One axis of evil is now fighting another. Expect North Korea to join in any day. They can't do a worse job than our fearless leader. They won't have any compunction about getting the job done. No wonder john Boehner quit.
Mebbe. But I'd bet money that it is more likely to succeed than the Obama undermine-and-arm strategy
3
Russia forms a pact with Syria, Iran and Iraq to fight ISIS. An act ostensibly aimed at battling international terror, but clearly a brilliant calculation that further cements Russia’s growing authority in the Middle East.
America’s response? The whiney equivalent of “Hey, that’s not fair!”
Putin quietly plays a far-sighted, brutally reasoned game of chess. Obama preens in the glow of his perfect prose, while fumbling along at a child’s game of checkers. It’s a laughable spectacle … until one remembers the blood of so many young Americans that stain the sands of Iraq.
Actions – and inaction – have consequences. Leading from behind is really just one short step from full-scale retreat. Oh, the wonders our Ozymandias has wrought.
America’s response? The whiney equivalent of “Hey, that’s not fair!”
Putin quietly plays a far-sighted, brutally reasoned game of chess. Obama preens in the glow of his perfect prose, while fumbling along at a child’s game of checkers. It’s a laughable spectacle … until one remembers the blood of so many young Americans that stain the sands of Iraq.
Actions – and inaction – have consequences. Leading from behind is really just one short step from full-scale retreat. Oh, the wonders our Ozymandias has wrought.
8
While Obama and Putin don't agree on what to do in Syria, we now have at least four countries in the Middle East that don't have central governments; Libya, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Remove the dictators, and we discover that the Emporers had no clothes. When is the State Department going to announce that these were all colonies created by Europeans? Stop pretending they are countries. Liberals and conservatives unite; You have nothing to lose but your brains. It is not about us. It is not us vs. them. It is about the tribes in the middle east who hate one another. Give them self-determination, and the opportunity to join a larger economic union. Has any one heard of the European Union?
Why haven't the Saudi's ever taken the blame and the brunt of all this mess. Their 911 hijackers started these war's and W. and the warlord Cheney made such ignorant decisions they eventually blew up the middle east.
6
There is truth and error on both sides. The invasion of Iraq and mismanagement afterwards by the George W. Bush administration created the conditions for the Islamic State to form. In that sense the Islamic State is our fault. But Bashar Al-Assad, a ruthless dictator, is killing thousands of his own citizens in order to stay in power. The Russians and Iranians are helping him do it. I hope that America and Russia can set aside their differences at least temporarily and work together to rid Syria and Iraq of the Islamic State. Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and all other nations in the Middle East also need to help. Israel, too. If this can be done through the United Nations, so much the better. The Islamic State is a menace to everyone.
2
President Obama had few choices and has opted for less war. We can dislike his half-way measures but how to appease a war hungry Republican Party longing for more? Can we agree that "more boots not the ground" only really means more dead Americans. For what? More blood and treasure and then? America under Bush may be culpable for destabilizing the middle east further but perhaps it's a good time to allow the Russians some old fashioned pointless quagmire while we for a change spend fewer dollars, fewer lives, and make fewer stupid choices to involve ourselves. This is no "weak" President: this is a realist who understands that leading us further into war without end is the real nihilism. Cruel as it is to say, let them burn, along with the Russians, until there is even a remote chance for better.
1
American governments need to stop demonizing Russia. They are next door to Syria, we are not. They are dealing with radical Islam daily. We are lecturing about intervention in foreign affairs and sovereign governments! Really? Let's see.... places we have destabilized and attacked governments.... Cuba, Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, central and S America, and on and on. And our POTUS has the Gaul to lecture Russia on Crimea or Syria? Make a choice in Syria between Isis or Assad? Let Russia have at it. They have more to lose than we do.
4
Watching The President's speech this morning to the U.N. made me very proud to be an American. The POTUS gave a broad sweep of the world and times in which we live. His analysis was a realistic assessment of what we can aspire to achieve and how much we have done to get to this point in history. He stood for human rights and cooperation among nations in the spirit of working together to further the progress of civilization. God bless the POTUS. Oh yeah, the pope just did hat!
7
Obama made a mistake in presenting the start of troubles in Syria. There was protest which was led by Muslim Brotherhood and financed by Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Both US ambassador and that of France in Damascus directed actively the protest against Assad. The US and France thought the regime would collapse in a few weeks. This was a miscalculation. Instead of rethinking their strategies toward Syria , France and the US went along with the Saudi and Israeli plan to destroy the regime. It was true that that the protest of the general public started peacefully but immediately, some protesters and terrorists started violently rioting and destroying public properties. The regime reacted forcefully.
4
"The regime acted forcefully." Totally predictably also. Our government would react forcefully if we descended upon Washington in angry mobs. Just goes to show that when engaging in foreign affairs we're a Bull in a clusterfudge of China shops. Lesson to all Bulls: stay out of China shops unless you want everything destroyed.
Does anyone remember when Obama threatened military action against Assad, the Congress couldn't even pass a War Authorization? That our ally David Cameron was actually voted down in the House of Commons only days before? That Putin orchestrated the chemical weapons removal that made military action even less likely? This was a no win scenario from the beginning. That Russia (post Crimea) would step in to save a blood covered despot in order to build a new air base checking NATO in the Med is the stuff of history. The Republican House didn't care about that, apparently obvious (judging by the comments here) outcome in 2013, but yet Obama takes sole blame. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
3
that's because he offered no leadership, inspired no one, and convinced no one. he was half hearted at best and people knew it. no one trusts this guy. can't blame us for his failures.
This is an incredibly hard situation to solve. First, the Syrian Civil War was not caused by Bush's disastrous invasion of Iraq (that caused over a million and a half deaths, destabilized the region and created an Iranian vassal state - great job Bush) but it did not cause the Syrian Civil War. Rather, the Syrian Civil War was caused by Arab Spring, in which citizens of a number of Midwestern dictatorships overthrew their leaders, with the exception of Assad, who stubbornly hung on.
What Arab Spring showed is that the Arab world is not ready for democracy, and the United States has been incredibly naive in attempting to pressure our form of government onto other nations, whose internal affairs are none of our business (unless as in the case of Afghanistan they harbor terrorists who directly attack our country). As Libya and Egypt (with its Mubarak clone at the helm) show, Arab Spring had the goal of democracy but the result of chaos and in the case of Egypt, merely a return to the pre-Arab Spring old ways.
What the US needs to learn from this is that now that ISIS has barbarically formed, we are the last country that should be involved in taking them on. If others wish to meddle in the Mideast and end up with the disastrous results we ended up with, let them. At the very least, ISIS is a worst case scenario and other nations' intervention will result in something better than a return to the barbarity of the Middle Ages.
What Arab Spring showed is that the Arab world is not ready for democracy, and the United States has been incredibly naive in attempting to pressure our form of government onto other nations, whose internal affairs are none of our business (unless as in the case of Afghanistan they harbor terrorists who directly attack our country). As Libya and Egypt (with its Mubarak clone at the helm) show, Arab Spring had the goal of democracy but the result of chaos and in the case of Egypt, merely a return to the pre-Arab Spring old ways.
What the US needs to learn from this is that now that ISIS has barbarically formed, we are the last country that should be involved in taking them on. If others wish to meddle in the Mideast and end up with the disastrous results we ended up with, let them. At the very least, ISIS is a worst case scenario and other nations' intervention will result in something better than a return to the barbarity of the Middle Ages.
2
The practical reality is that Syria sans al Assad seems highly likely to continue to be a lawless land unless an overbearing dictator takes control. Russia may well be the international power most willing to be sufficiently brutal to set up a gov't of a dictator. The USA and Europe surely cannot do so. Iran has proven itself ineffective in bringing stability; nor has Hezbollah be able. Practical realty wants order first; fair gov't second. But w/o fair gov't, only brutal repression can keep the peace. In the midst of lawlessness, the population will continue to emigrate as apparently about half now have.
The West clearly has no ability to force, enforce, and implement a new gov't in Syria.
The West clearly has no ability to force, enforce, and implement a new gov't in Syria.
With 21st-C wars now 'un-winnable' and such tragedies as migrants' crises and war-related terrorism as rife, the UN General Assembly (GA) cannot ad-infinitum continue to plod the traditional/failed route of relying on divisive national political powers to attain worldwide war prevention.
Also now, irrevocable 21st-C worldwide use of smart phones, social media, Internet, 24-hours TV news coverage, etcetera have indeed made all wars futile -Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, etc. (Pro-war politicians ignore this!)
These 21-st C realities also now make complete worldwide war prevention very feasible.
The GA can now make it IMPOSSIBLE for any national political leader to initiate war: by helping to create a new worldwide apolitical and independent multi-level body only for impartially resolving, between national political leaders, their inevitable and difficult political contentions -the cause of all wars.
(The body's adjudications can also be stringently enforced worldwide without armies. But the leaders' must first forgo their current exclusive war-initiation 'priviledges'.)
Attaining enforceable worldwide war prevention is this simple!
However, the UN GA cannot continue to ignore this possibility by its continual failed and dangerous reliance on national political leaders with their divisive interests. It cannot continue to lead the world on its badly-worn and consistently unproductive path of always relying on national politicians for this vital need.
Also now, irrevocable 21st-C worldwide use of smart phones, social media, Internet, 24-hours TV news coverage, etcetera have indeed made all wars futile -Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, etc. (Pro-war politicians ignore this!)
These 21-st C realities also now make complete worldwide war prevention very feasible.
The GA can now make it IMPOSSIBLE for any national political leader to initiate war: by helping to create a new worldwide apolitical and independent multi-level body only for impartially resolving, between national political leaders, their inevitable and difficult political contentions -the cause of all wars.
(The body's adjudications can also be stringently enforced worldwide without armies. But the leaders' must first forgo their current exclusive war-initiation 'priviledges'.)
Attaining enforceable worldwide war prevention is this simple!
However, the UN GA cannot continue to ignore this possibility by its continual failed and dangerous reliance on national political leaders with their divisive interests. It cannot continue to lead the world on its badly-worn and consistently unproductive path of always relying on national politicians for this vital need.
Now imagine Donald Trump or Carly Fiorina or Mike Huckabee or Ted Cruz ranting their off target anger and their opinions about American exceptionalism to the world?
That's one of the scariest thoughts ever possible in the history of world affairs.
That's one of the scariest thoughts ever possible in the history of world affairs.
6
Yes indeed. An American president speaking about American exceptionalism is one of the scariest thoughts ever possible in the history of world affairs.
Even scarier than
-Hitler winning WW2
-America and USSR going to nuclear war in the Cuban missile crisis
-terrorist flying planes into buildings
Be afraid, be very afraid.
Even scarier than
-Hitler winning WW2
-America and USSR going to nuclear war in the Cuban missile crisis
-terrorist flying planes into buildings
Be afraid, be very afraid.
Note to editor: the phrase "Russia's intervention in Crimea and Ukraine" should read something akin to "Russia's invasion and occupation of Crimea and intervention in other parts of Ukraine." From an international law perspective, Crimea was and remains part of Ukraine. And Russia did not "intervene" in a conflict in Crimea, it invaded the region and took control by military force.
That being said, Russia does have legitimate interests in the situation in the Middle East, and those interests do not perfectly align with the interests of the US. Russia has good reason to view ISIS as a significant threat, and the US and Europe need to acknowledge Russia's interests and try to figure out a strategy that takes those interests into account. If Roosevelt and Churchill could work with Stalin when necessary, the US and Europe should be able to work with Putin now.
That being said, Russia does have legitimate interests in the situation in the Middle East, and those interests do not perfectly align with the interests of the US. Russia has good reason to view ISIS as a significant threat, and the US and Europe need to acknowledge Russia's interests and try to figure out a strategy that takes those interests into account. If Roosevelt and Churchill could work with Stalin when necessary, the US and Europe should be able to work with Putin now.
2
The "surprise" intelligence agreement between Russia, Iraq, and Iran has a long term goal, and it's not all about peace and stability. It's about being the next oil cartel that will have enormous impact. These three countries' combined output will be a serious match to the current OPEC cartel or possibly exceed them. That's the secret sauce in all of this.
Cool. More supply means lower prices.
Mr Obama still harbors the impossible claim that the USA has been conducting a constructive, peace and stability seeking policY in the Middle East implicitly calling on other countries to, if not follow, then emulate it.
His bare faced pretension that that would be best for all forgetting in the process that all major ME conflicts has been if not ushered, then certainly inspired , formulated and instigated by the USA .
Starting with the Arab Palestinian Israeli conflict wherein Israeli obduracy has been a direct outgrowth of USA empowering it into regional super power and the Syrian civil war :the direct output of the USA desire to supplant the Assad regime with a regime docile and subservient to the USA.
For Mr Obama to refer to Iraq the way he did , completely forgetful of the consequences of the American mega crime committed in Iraq, cannot possibly be the outgrowth of a feeble memory or a feeble mind but is an unparalleled exercise of arrogance and contempt for the whole world.
His bare faced pretension that that would be best for all forgetting in the process that all major ME conflicts has been if not ushered, then certainly inspired , formulated and instigated by the USA .
Starting with the Arab Palestinian Israeli conflict wherein Israeli obduracy has been a direct outgrowth of USA empowering it into regional super power and the Syrian civil war :the direct output of the USA desire to supplant the Assad regime with a regime docile and subservient to the USA.
For Mr Obama to refer to Iraq the way he did , completely forgetful of the consequences of the American mega crime committed in Iraq, cannot possibly be the outgrowth of a feeble memory or a feeble mind but is an unparalleled exercise of arrogance and contempt for the whole world.
4
Even Iraq was living in peace under Saddam Regime.
Honestly, does anyone remember these facts?
1- Netanyahu is the one who encouraged America to start illegal wars in the Middle East. He said to the US congress, on September 12, 2002. :”If you take out Saddam’s regime, I GUARANTEE you that it will have enormous positive reverberations on the region,”
2- israeli lobby in the Congress foced America to remove Saddam, Qaddafi and now forcing Assad to leave. Now, these states are UNSTABLE and gave the birth of the so called ISIS through all the and Muslim World. Now the World sees the result!
Honestly, does anyone remember these facts?
1- Netanyahu is the one who encouraged America to start illegal wars in the Middle East. He said to the US congress, on September 12, 2002. :”If you take out Saddam’s regime, I GUARANTEE you that it will have enormous positive reverberations on the region,”
2- israeli lobby in the Congress foced America to remove Saddam, Qaddafi and now forcing Assad to leave. Now, these states are UNSTABLE and gave the birth of the so called ISIS through all the and Muslim World. Now the World sees the result!
8
Your post has a definite anti-semitic tone and offers no proof that Israel was behind American going to war in the middle east.
1
Obama, regarding Iran, "they fuel sectarian conflicts that endanger the entire region." America has been fueling sectarian conflicts, all over the Middle East, since 1947.
3
Terrorism like these has happened all over Africa, so I wonder why I don't see that much effort to fight terrorism in Africa taken place. Because Africa is not part of Israel territory extension agenda and because Africa is not part of the oil Industry. So, let's please stop these excuses about terrorism to justify invasions. The reason of these invasions is to install a government that has a goal to enrich westerns corporations by exploiting their natural resources.
4
Both Obama's and Putin's policies have valid points except that there mutual castigation makes little sense.
Putin's support of the regime and his argument for stability and concern about what could replace all aspects of the current government if the current leadership and bureaucracy is forcibly discarded is not without merit.
One need look no further than the various US blunders in Iraq to realize the complexity. of nation building. In the 50's, 60's and 70's, successive administrations of both parties backed dictators hardly worse that Assad.
In attempting to pick and choose between friends and foes in this god-forsaken conflict, Obama has walked a high wire to little success. One can appreciate his utopian efforts while bemoaning the result. Defeating Isis, removing Assad and setting up a functional replacement government may be a feat beyond the ability of humankind.
If Moscow wants to accept responsibility for pacifying this mess, we should not stand in their way.
Putin's support of the regime and his argument for stability and concern about what could replace all aspects of the current government if the current leadership and bureaucracy is forcibly discarded is not without merit.
One need look no further than the various US blunders in Iraq to realize the complexity. of nation building. In the 50's, 60's and 70's, successive administrations of both parties backed dictators hardly worse that Assad.
In attempting to pick and choose between friends and foes in this god-forsaken conflict, Obama has walked a high wire to little success. One can appreciate his utopian efforts while bemoaning the result. Defeating Isis, removing Assad and setting up a functional replacement government may be a feat beyond the ability of humankind.
If Moscow wants to accept responsibility for pacifying this mess, we should not stand in their way.
17
It's not nation-building to refuse to support the dictator. It would be perverse to accuse a country of interventionism if it decides not to back the repressive non-democratic government of a country that will likely fall if it doesn't receive outside support. The non-interventionist approach to Iraq, surely the high road in this case, would have been to not back Saddam Hussein in the 1980s in order to try to rout the Iranians.
It's worth considering two things about Assad. First, his regime is not really fighting ISIS. Less than half of the Syrian military's engagements in 2014, when we were all hearing media reports about how ISIS is the most dangerous, capable fighting force in the region, were targeting ISIS. And much of the regime was doing was ceding ground to the group while it focused on its real goals: to crush the non-ISIS rebels. Assad calculates, probably correctly, that if the conflict were only between his forces and ISIS, support for his regime would probably not be contested. But that shows that he's not the white knight to deliver us from ISIS, and that support for his regime would likely lead to more attacks on civilians and non-ISIS rebels.
Second, Assad's forces have killed more civilians in this conflict than even ISIS. The latter group bears the trappings of a hostile alien ideology, but the forces of "order"--when that means killing, imprisoning, and torturing protestors--hardly shines brightly next to it.
It's worth considering two things about Assad. First, his regime is not really fighting ISIS. Less than half of the Syrian military's engagements in 2014, when we were all hearing media reports about how ISIS is the most dangerous, capable fighting force in the region, were targeting ISIS. And much of the regime was doing was ceding ground to the group while it focused on its real goals: to crush the non-ISIS rebels. Assad calculates, probably correctly, that if the conflict were only between his forces and ISIS, support for his regime would probably not be contested. But that shows that he's not the white knight to deliver us from ISIS, and that support for his regime would likely lead to more attacks on civilians and non-ISIS rebels.
Second, Assad's forces have killed more civilians in this conflict than even ISIS. The latter group bears the trappings of a hostile alien ideology, but the forces of "order"--when that means killing, imprisoning, and torturing protestors--hardly shines brightly next to it.
1
Russia forms a pact with Syria, Iran and Iraq to fight ISIS. An act ostensibly aimed at battling international terror, but clearly a brilliant calculation that further cements Russia’s growing authority in the Middle East.
America’s response? The whiney equivalent of “Hey, that’s not fair!”
Putin quietly plays a far-sighted, brutally reasoned game of chess. Obama preens in the glow of his perfect prose, while fumbling along at a child’s game of checkers. It’s a laughable spectacle … until one remembers the blood of so many young Americans that stains the sands of Iraq.
Leading from behind is really just one short step from full-scale retreat. Oh, the wonders that our Ozymandias has wrought.
America’s response? The whiney equivalent of “Hey, that’s not fair!”
Putin quietly plays a far-sighted, brutally reasoned game of chess. Obama preens in the glow of his perfect prose, while fumbling along at a child’s game of checkers. It’s a laughable spectacle … until one remembers the blood of so many young Americans that stains the sands of Iraq.
Leading from behind is really just one short step from full-scale retreat. Oh, the wonders that our Ozymandias has wrought.
4
Why does it feel like we are reliving late 1970s U.S. foreign policy all over again?
I wonder if Putin isn't thinking more of the wheat fields of the Ukraine than the sands of Syria.
If Putin can keep the War rolling in Syria and the refuges flowing into Europe he can go forward with taking the Ukraine. In a few month it will be winter in Europe, what will they do with the refugees in tent camps?
If Putin can keep the War rolling in Syria and the refuges flowing into Europe he can go forward with taking the Ukraine. In a few month it will be winter in Europe, what will they do with the refugees in tent camps?
Can the conflict over Syria be contained or are we headed for a renewed
Cold War? We - both of us - managed to keep that war cold throughout those long, dreary, and sometimes scary, years with the ever present canger of nuclear war.. Will our children we have to relive those years? We have to make sure they do not. Because if we do, we will, sooner or later, run out of
luck.
Obmna was right to denounce Putin's support for Assad but wrong about Crimea where he people voted overwhelmingly for annesation. And also wrong about Ukraine where the ethnic Russians in Donetsk and Lugansk wiill never accept Kiev's rule. Yes, of course Russia is helping them, but it can quite plausibly claim that bothh these places are essential to its defense, especially in view of what it suffered in WW2. But Putin can't claim the same for Syria which is far from its bordrs. What's his game there? I don't know but it's a dangerous and foolish one.
arhis conflict
Cold War? We - both of us - managed to keep that war cold throughout those long, dreary, and sometimes scary, years with the ever present canger of nuclear war.. Will our children we have to relive those years? We have to make sure they do not. Because if we do, we will, sooner or later, run out of
luck.
Obmna was right to denounce Putin's support for Assad but wrong about Crimea where he people voted overwhelmingly for annesation. And also wrong about Ukraine where the ethnic Russians in Donetsk and Lugansk wiill never accept Kiev's rule. Yes, of course Russia is helping them, but it can quite plausibly claim that bothh these places are essential to its defense, especially in view of what it suffered in WW2. But Putin can't claim the same for Syria which is far from its bordrs. What's his game there? I don't know but it's a dangerous and foolish one.
arhis conflict
I disagree with Obama's partisan framing of the Bush/Iraq war. I'd say that as the result of spending trillions of defense dollars we successfully destabilized an enemy of the U.S.. To this day, the Iraqi government still has no nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction. That was the goal, right? Next!
2
Mr. Putin’s central objective is to demonstrate that Russia is not isolated. If you have viewed Russia only from Europe in the past 18 months, your impression will be of a country largely cut off from the economic mainstream by sanctions and a leader excluded from the political elite. But Moscow has managed to park Ukraine and its fallout in a “regional” box, while continuing
to behave as a global player.
Russian diplomacy is not known for its finesse, and Russian presidents, like all leaders, play to their home gallery even on big international occasions. But if, amid the inevitable bluster at the UN on Monday, Putin offers his own version of Barack Obama’s six-year old “reset”, the West needs to resist both instant dismissal and triumphalism and give it a serious look.
to behave as a global player.
Russian diplomacy is not known for its finesse, and Russian presidents, like all leaders, play to their home gallery even on big international occasions. But if, amid the inevitable bluster at the UN on Monday, Putin offers his own version of Barack Obama’s six-year old “reset”, the West needs to resist both instant dismissal and triumphalism and give it a serious look.
8
The weakening of the US, little signs of it everywhere -- and it may be a good thing in the long run -- is not to be put on Obama or the Bushes, or Clinton or Reagan. There has developed, rather, an unspoken wisdom that we are SO powerful that our policy decisions don't NEED to be based on what works in the world outside the US. What works out there is a distant second to how those decisions play in domestic US politics. It's like driving a car with reference only to how the starts, stops and turns affect the passengers. You'll run into things, or run off embankments etc...
1
(Between the lines) Russia is starting to get worried about having ISIS trained Chechen rebels (already there by some accounts) in the chaos/power void they created in eastern Ukraine. Our policies helped create the power void in Iraq and Syria where ISIS is now firmly entrenched with increased flows of foreign fighters recently joining their ranks. It hurts my pea-brain to think this, but Donald Trump iterated my thoughts on Russia in Syria last night on 60 Minutes with having the Russians take out ISIS by supporting Assad. Our support of the Arab spring in 2011 has been a disaster and nearly toppled the largest Arab country Egypt into similar chaos that threatens Iraq, Syria, and Libya. We hear it from most Western media sources that Assad has to go, but we should all be asking at what cost? Our track record of country/democracy building is dismal and embarrassing. This can not be argued and should be addressed by any politician who asserts -we need to take Assad out. What will we do once he is gone. Iraq is worse off after we went it, Libya is worse off after we went in, Afgan's as a whole live in country in a long-term stalemate, and the region is less stable by the day.
I think a better way to read what Putin is up to is that he thinks he can lump Chechen rebels together with a group as extreme as ISIS so as to legitimize the brutal way his regime handles the breakaway region.
If the Chechen conflict illustrates anything, its that Islamist groups don't have to be religious fundamentalists to organize around and fight groups they take to be imperialist. Though Muslim, most of the rebels in that conflict are just trying to throw off Russian rule. For most of its history, they haven't been pushing religious extremism.
If the Chechen conflict illustrates anything, its that Islamist groups don't have to be religious fundamentalists to organize around and fight groups they take to be imperialist. Though Muslim, most of the rebels in that conflict are just trying to throw off Russian rule. For most of its history, they haven't been pushing religious extremism.
2
While I can appreciate that the US, the West and Russia have something to do with an eventual solution, the Syrian civil war is a testimony to the brokenness of all regimes in the Middle East. There are no governments, including that of Israel, that are really working in that hostile environment. Moreover, the war also testifies to the implausible power plays that are currently in vogue in Washington and Moscow. Any deal will inevitably leave thousands dead and thousands more stranded for generations. While Assad must go, he won't because the Russians won't let him. While ISIS must be taken out, no one will, because of the politics involved. Any devised solution will not be helpful.
The sea is rough, the boat is rocking, and Obama and Putin refuse to coordinate their rowing. Not very encouraging.
I have issue with the article in the part "even though Mr. Assad’s forces are for the most part fighting rebel groups dedicated to his ouster, not the Islamic State militants."
That I believe is a very biased contribution of the writer. It is correct to say Assad forces are fighting everybody and the proportions probably shift according to the needs on the ground.
But at least Assad forces do not donate their arms to AQ or ISIS.
I have issue with the article in the part "even though Mr. Assad’s forces are for the most part fighting rebel groups dedicated to his ouster, not the Islamic State militants."
That I believe is a very biased contribution of the writer. It is correct to say Assad forces are fighting everybody and the proportions probably shift according to the needs on the ground.
But at least Assad forces do not donate their arms to AQ or ISIS.
More of the same, and a guarantee of continued bloodshed in Syria. Obama can't think past Assad. The lives of the Syrian people are not his concern. It's all about geopolitics. As many other posters to this article have said, what makes Obama feel like he should play kingmaker in Syria? The U.S. has a lot to answer for in the Middle East. It has done basically nothing constructive, in spite of itself. Why not try to get along with other players?
2
Obama annoys me no end with his constant thuggish trash talk against Russia, blaming them for bloody conflicts that America has started under his deceitful leadership, abetted, I might add, by the New York Times with its continuing false narratives. Of course, this bloody history of American interference around the globe didn't begin with Obama, and it's nothing to do with "democracy" but rank hegemony. Ever since the Cold War ended, America has acted like it owns the world with all rights and privileges to micromanipulate it regardless of how many innocent victims die. In that interim America has instigated or had its hand in wars in Iran-Iraq, Kuwait, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Ukraine and Syria. It has killed with drones at will, including American citizens in additional countries including Pakistan. How many wars has Russia been involved in during that bloody interval? Or, Iran our other favorite target (other than its defense vs U.S. ally at the time Iraq)? That's right, NONE. Who is the aggressor? Yes, Russia & Iran arm their allies, but America goes in with guns blazing repeatedly. Estimates are that we have killed in excess of 4 or 5 million people in our wars of aggression. And this doesn't even touch on what we did in Vietnam to no good end.
4
That's completely false. Since the 80s, Russia has been directly involved in numerous armed conflicts.
1
You showed him.
Let them have Syria and defend against ISIS. It is time to step back and let the people who tried to sow, reap.
1
Whatever 'plan' the US might have had in place for the Middle East at the outset of all this mess, it has failed at preserving life and social stability in Syria, Iraq, and their neighbours. Syrian civilians have been paying the ultimate price for the chaos provoked by American interventionism. Is the US mature enough to acknowledge past errors and accept to work with the Russians and Iranians? Will American pride preclude efforts to end the destruction of Syria? Or is the commitment to remove Assad at any cost include the further spillage of Syrian blood? I hope that Obama can find a way to end the charade.
1
How should the US have avoided intervening? By helping Assad and other dictators crush democratic protests? The vast majority of our involvement in Syria has basically been air strikes against ISIS. Putin is proposing more of that.
1
In spite of the rhetoric Obama & Putin (that is the US & Russia, of course) are working together to some extent over Syria and that is good news as was their cooperation over the nuclear deal with Iran. Putin is autocratic and supports Assad the butcher, Obama has his kill list and terror Tuesdays and supports the beheaders of Saudi Arabia. This is the Hobbesian we live in. If the carnage stops in Syria this cooperation between shady characters will prove beneficial.
Obama at least spared the Middle East, America and the world another Iraq-type war (though he did Libya which plays a key role in the current refugee crisis). So better than Bush--even if one does not forget about drones.
Obama at least spared the Middle East, America and the world another Iraq-type war (though he did Libya which plays a key role in the current refugee crisis). So better than Bush--even if one does not forget about drones.
2
Russia sees Washington as being mired in an ideologically contradictory position which is destined to end in the same disaster that Iraq and Libya has. The US wants to remove Assad and also destroy the Islamic state, but it cannot do both therefore it is achieving neither. And by removing Assad, they will created a power vacuum in Syria that will only be filled by ISIS or Al Nusra whom are funded and trained by Washington's allies; Qatar and Turkey.
Washington has achieved nothing after 12 months of what we are told was bombing of ISIS. Putin will likely get the job done in a few months, which will expose the US for either being ineffectual or duplicitous.
Washington has achieved nothing after 12 months of what we are told was bombing of ISIS. Putin will likely get the job done in a few months, which will expose the US for either being ineffectual or duplicitous.
1
In a speech at times defensive and accusatory, Obama sought to use his favored weapon -- oratory -- to beat back his international challengers as well as conservatives in the U.S. who've branded him a weak leader presiding over a legacy of declining power abroad.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/27/politics/obama-un-general-assembly/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/27/politics/obama-un-general-assembly/index.html
2
I have to admit I am unable to understand Putins mentality on this one. The USA is not the enemy; radical islam is. The USA did not blow up Russian schools and Russian train stations. Is it that important to Putin to get back the old Soviet empire. Does he really think the United States is getting ready to attack Russia. Putin should be working with the Americans to jointly defeat radical Islamism who are just as much against the Greek Orthodox Church so loved by so many Russians as they are against the Roman Catholic church and the Anglican church and the lot. None of this makes any sense from a Russian view. I just don't get it.
America threatens the communist state always and forever. Please read some history.
1
Putin is in Syria to help is friend Assad. They have been partners for some time. Assad is a thug; he drops barrel bombs on his people; does anything to stay in power. Putin chooses such friends. Whether he bothers with ISIS is another question, but it is unlikely. However, at least Putin has a plan, which is to preserve his friend Assad. Obama has no real plan other than to make pronouncements. The George W. Bush mistake to invade Iraq hangs over U.S. policy; stigmatizes it. The Middle East is a messy place right now. Easy to stay away. But by doing so, we open it to the likes of Comrade Putin.
3
"by doing so, we open it to the likes of Comrade Putin."
Far better Comrade Putin than the mad mullahs.
Far better Comrade Putin than the mad mullahs.
1
Whatever happened to the man who called on the U.S. to be "humble" in its foreign policies?
Given our destruction of Libya, given our continued support of a Saudi-led coalition that slaughters Yemeni children and civilians with American-supplied cluster bombs dropped from American-supplied warplanes, the president has no credibility, and he has no credible plan for Syria.
If Assad left tomorrow, ISIS and al-Nusra Front would be battling in Damascus on Wednesday. Our Syrian policy is an utter and very public failure. In this instance, Putin is right. The president's inability to accept reality has become a barrier to progress.
Given our destruction of Libya, given our continued support of a Saudi-led coalition that slaughters Yemeni children and civilians with American-supplied cluster bombs dropped from American-supplied warplanes, the president has no credibility, and he has no credible plan for Syria.
If Assad left tomorrow, ISIS and al-Nusra Front would be battling in Damascus on Wednesday. Our Syrian policy is an utter and very public failure. In this instance, Putin is right. The president's inability to accept reality has become a barrier to progress.
8
Oboma, Clinton and Kerrys incompetence knows no bounds. Their failures in Iraq and Syria are Legendary.
Vote NO democrats in 2016.
Vote NO democrats in 2016.
2
And exactly what are the Republicans proposing to fix the Middle East?
Russia clearly sees the mess in the ME for what it is: a religious war. So Iran, Iraq, and Syria (shiites) are aligned with Russia against ISIS (radical sunnis). True, some "moderate" sunnis started the fight in Syria against Assad but at this point, let's stand back and let Putin heard these cats. Our problem is that we want everyone to be our friend (excepting ISIS) which ignores the reality that this is a religious war and that every time we try to "fix" things, we only seem to make them worse.
2
To those saying that they are ashamed to have voted for Obama, what was the alternative? Do you really believe that the Republicans would be handling this better right now? I will never vote for the Republicans. Bush started all of this with the unnecessary invasion of Iraq.
Ray, NYC, commented that Obama did not leave a residual force in Iraq. This was not possible. It was already agreed that the US would leave. He then suggests that the US should have invaded Russia over Ukraine, which is completely unrealistic. Obama is doing the best that he can. You seem to suggest that the US should have had its military on the ground in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Ukraine. And you think that this would work out well?
Ray, NYC, commented that Obama did not leave a residual force in Iraq. This was not possible. It was already agreed that the US would leave. He then suggests that the US should have invaded Russia over Ukraine, which is completely unrealistic. Obama is doing the best that he can. You seem to suggest that the US should have had its military on the ground in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Ukraine. And you think that this would work out well?
5
How can we disagree with this statement by Putin: “We think it’s an enormous mistake to refuse to cooperate with the Syrian government and its armed forces who are valiantly fighting terrorism face to face,” It is an enormous mistake and our leaders in America should realize the mistake we have been making by not supporting Assad and have the courage to change.
7
What Syrian government??? Assad controls at best maybe 1/2 the country, and that half is still in an active civil war as well.
1
How can one disagree with it? It's a flimsy line of reasoning. The same point could have been made for supporting Hussain in the 1980s against Islamist Iran, and has been used, mostly by the US, to support lots of tin-pot dictators who happen to be fighting ideologically suspect movements. Anyway, most of the Syrian military effort at this point is directed toward non-ISIS rebels who are themselves also fighting ISIS. That's because Assad thinks that an ISIS-ruled Syria is so unacceptable to the West that they'll be forced to back him if he's the only party in a conflict with ISIS. So he thinks he can wait them out while he crushes the pro-democracy movement in his own country. Hardly valiant.
1
so now everyone can see on whose side the Americans really are. They would rather prop up the fundamentalist IS created by their Saudi Allies rather than join hands with Russia and Iran to strengthen President Assad in his fight against the Islamists. Shows up once again that the Americans never learn from their deadly mistakes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and else where. They talk of freedom and democracy but end up supporting the fundamentalists every where
4
I am a democrat, libertarian and moralist. I abide by these principles. It is these principles taken together that in the main are the root causes of some of the issues in the Middle East and elsewhere. Different powerful forces in the world appose such principles because they undermine their own system of governance. States that think they can turn back the clocks to another age are the one's responsible for this catastrophic refugee crisis, civil war and the annexation of Crimea.
1
Because most people understand the difference between those who talk the talk and those who walk the walk.
Sorry HJAC, replied to the wrong comment.
Mr. Obama, whom I generally support, is wrong on Syria. While the goal of ousting President Assad may have been, at one time, the right thing to wish for, it is no longer an achievable goal.
The opposition to President Assad is in disarray. The US attempts to arm any so-called moderate opposition has been a complete failure. And with Russia moving in militarily in support of Assad, it is now impossible to remove Assad without a major confrontation with Russia.
The US should acknowledge these facts; negotiate with Putin some type of "new" Assad regime which would give some voice to the opposition, and cooperate to destroy ISIS. That's the best that can be achieved.
The opposition to President Assad is in disarray. The US attempts to arm any so-called moderate opposition has been a complete failure. And with Russia moving in militarily in support of Assad, it is now impossible to remove Assad without a major confrontation with Russia.
The US should acknowledge these facts; negotiate with Putin some type of "new" Assad regime which would give some voice to the opposition, and cooperate to destroy ISIS. That's the best that can be achieved.
2
What we should have learned by now is that the Bush-Cheney "regime change" policy that toppled the equally brutal Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, was and is a total failure, It has left us a very weak Iraq dominated by Shiite Iran and the birth of radical Sunni ISIS. President Obama also embraced the policy in overthrowing Muammar Qaddafi in Libya turning it into a failed sate and Hosni Mubarak in Egypt resulting in an even more tyrannical military dictator in Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. So, we need to stop "the blame game" and, as Pope Francis urged, enter into a diplomatic "dialogue" with Russian president Vladimir Putin as we did earlier in eliminating Syria's chemical weapons. If we don't we fall into the the trap of "polarization" the Pope warned us against: "the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil." President Obama is no more a white knight than President Putin and the best way to end the refugee crisis would be for the two of them to talk with no preconditions and the goal of a peaceful solution the the Syrian civil war.
3
Regime change is the US approach to world affairs . Let's count the times - Iraq , Afghanistan , Libya , Iran , Ukraine , Syria , Vietnam , Guatamala , Chile. We're the self declared exceptional country , the only country that can make the world better. But we made it worse. In the Middle East we've created chaos with the result that millions are leaving the region. Can we stop this madness ? Rich and powerful , we've created such destabilization in the world that , like Humpty Dumpty, we can never put it back together .
5
Putin's ultimate goal is to throw the Middle East into chaos, in order to drive up the price of oil. With Saudi Arabia flooding the market, and Iran's oil soon to come back on the market, the value of Russia's oil continues to drop, resulting in Putin and his cronies heading toward bankruptcy.
Putin is desperate. Putin needs the price of oil back up to at least $100 per barrel, otherwise his house of cards will ultimately collapse.
Putin is desperate. Putin needs the price of oil back up to at least $100 per barrel, otherwise his house of cards will ultimately collapse.
1
Now, how can GOP'ers hate Obama? He's the best friend a NEOCON could ever have. He demonizes Russia and Putin for an entire array of supposed misdeeds while deftly ignoring clear US aggression and perfidy around the world, including bragging about 'American Exceptionalism' and how powerful the US Military is. And, as expected, his main focus was railing against Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying Putin stood for a “darker, more disordered world” because of his support for the Syrian government in its war against ISIS, and also for the (US-engineered) civil war in Ukraine, which has been in ceasefire for half a year now.
Obama also found time to condemn China for building islands in the South China Sea, and to condemn Iran for supporting Syria and for being (get this) “anti-American.” No mention by Obama if he plans to continue his insistence that he has the right (almost a Divine right) to murder anyone on the planet for whatever reason he feels is justified (whether he has a shred of legal authority, or not) and will not be held accountable.
And to think the War-lusters of the GOP hate this guy. Go figure.
Obama also found time to condemn China for building islands in the South China Sea, and to condemn Iran for supporting Syria and for being (get this) “anti-American.” No mention by Obama if he plans to continue his insistence that he has the right (almost a Divine right) to murder anyone on the planet for whatever reason he feels is justified (whether he has a shred of legal authority, or not) and will not be held accountable.
And to think the War-lusters of the GOP hate this guy. Go figure.
3
Obama Middle East policy, if one can call what he has done policy, is not worth the paper it is written on.
He pulled out of Iraq too soon leaving it wide open for trouble, did nothing about Maliki who destroyed all the work to unify the country that had taken place previously, thus making it easy for ISIL to enter and seize large parts of the country.
In Libya he engineered the over throw of Ghaddafi and left Libya a failed state, with several sides fighting to rule it. The ISIL , and allowing ISIL moved in.
In Syria he kept saying "Assad must go" and used Robert Ford, the ambassador to act as an agent Provacateur to stir up the opposition and ultimately caused Syria to sink into Civil war with ISIS in control of a large part of the country. Repeated the same scenario ins Ukraine - result - Civil war.
Every country where ISIS has gained a foothold or chaos reigns, is the result of Obama Foreign Policy. He has an unrealistic Foreign Policy which amounts to bringing democracy by overthrowing legal rules like Assad, Ghaddaffi. Mubarak etc. and then leaving these countries to drown in Chaos or have the Muslim Brotherhood grab power and rule Egypt like a dictator. The only reason Egypt is not a mess if that Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi rescued his country.
America's creates chaos whenever it goes into a country to "democratize" it.
We need to exit the world stage and stop spreading Democracy = Let countries figure our their own future and not have it dictated at the end of gun.
He pulled out of Iraq too soon leaving it wide open for trouble, did nothing about Maliki who destroyed all the work to unify the country that had taken place previously, thus making it easy for ISIL to enter and seize large parts of the country.
In Libya he engineered the over throw of Ghaddafi and left Libya a failed state, with several sides fighting to rule it. The ISIL , and allowing ISIL moved in.
In Syria he kept saying "Assad must go" and used Robert Ford, the ambassador to act as an agent Provacateur to stir up the opposition and ultimately caused Syria to sink into Civil war with ISIS in control of a large part of the country. Repeated the same scenario ins Ukraine - result - Civil war.
Every country where ISIS has gained a foothold or chaos reigns, is the result of Obama Foreign Policy. He has an unrealistic Foreign Policy which amounts to bringing democracy by overthrowing legal rules like Assad, Ghaddaffi. Mubarak etc. and then leaving these countries to drown in Chaos or have the Muslim Brotherhood grab power and rule Egypt like a dictator. The only reason Egypt is not a mess if that Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi rescued his country.
America's creates chaos whenever it goes into a country to "democratize" it.
We need to exit the world stage and stop spreading Democracy = Let countries figure our their own future and not have it dictated at the end of gun.
4
Certainly that's been Russia's policy, right? That's enough to make a cat laugh.
Once again, Obama talks tough by blaming someone else, and refuses to acknowledge that the problem is both complex, and in part worsened by his own actions.
Right now Putin is laughing, because he knows Obama may talk tough but will fold under pressure.
Right now Putin is laughing, because he knows Obama may talk tough but will fold under pressure.
3
"What about the two Bushes? How did they do? Obama has just been trying to clear up the incredible mess they left behind."
No question that Bush the Younger left Obama a mess to clean up, but Obama's been running things for over six and a half years now. That far into Bush the Younger's term, we'd have rolled our eyes if he'd still been blaming Bill Clinton for his troubles.
The elder of the two Bushes left office 23 years ago. Not sure you're serious about that one.
No question that Bush the Younger left Obama a mess to clean up, but Obama's been running things for over six and a half years now. That far into Bush the Younger's term, we'd have rolled our eyes if he'd still been blaming Bill Clinton for his troubles.
The elder of the two Bushes left office 23 years ago. Not sure you're serious about that one.
1
This another one of those things where both sides of the equation are equal. The media is more a problem than Russia, and more a subversant than ISIS. Unless the media is totally iganorant or chooses to be, which either could be the case, it simply can not be and isn't this way. This is just one more article written for the unintelligent mind, which is not said to offend anyone, since I am sure they are busy trying to bring home the bacon, but the press knows better and this kind of stuff is simply schtick that should have gone out in the 50's.
If you have the online NYT, look at the photo of Obama at lunch with Putin.
I've seen 3 year olds look more composed when mommy puts the candy back on the shelf and tells them to come on.
Obama is a disgrace.
I've seen 3 year olds look more composed when mommy puts the candy back on the shelf and tells them to come on.
Obama is a disgrace.
5
Obama is getting exposed as the fraud and imposter he is Putin is running circles around him and America.
2
Now America along with its Western allies (and the Gulf States) are no longer able to call the shots and equip the rebels with impunity. Obama’s inaction in the region has shown Western influence to be dimming while Russia is assisting Iran in combatting America's creation both in Iraq and Syria while the US did its usual cut and run routine.
Obama will have to face facts that he is dealing with a major power. If left to their own devices, the West will be creating another Iraq by supplying weapons to rebel groups who are apparently America's sworn enemies, Al Qeada and Al Nusra and again leaving another power vacuum for ISIS to overrun Syria then moving on to Jordan and The Lebanon, thus controlling vast swathes of land and compounding the already appalling refugee crisis.
It is incomprehensible that American foreign policy is again working alongside one particular country which would be delighted to see its neighbour fall into chaos while working towards a war against Iran.
Atrocities have been committed on both sides in the Syrian conflict with the rebel groups using chemical weapons on the civilian population and yet if Assad were to go there is no one group that could hold the country together.
America and the West must wake up to the fact that it's intervention policies have caused the deaths and displacement of millions to what end?
Obama will have to face facts that he is dealing with a major power. If left to their own devices, the West will be creating another Iraq by supplying weapons to rebel groups who are apparently America's sworn enemies, Al Qeada and Al Nusra and again leaving another power vacuum for ISIS to overrun Syria then moving on to Jordan and The Lebanon, thus controlling vast swathes of land and compounding the already appalling refugee crisis.
It is incomprehensible that American foreign policy is again working alongside one particular country which would be delighted to see its neighbour fall into chaos while working towards a war against Iran.
Atrocities have been committed on both sides in the Syrian conflict with the rebel groups using chemical weapons on the civilian population and yet if Assad were to go there is no one group that could hold the country together.
America and the West must wake up to the fact that it's intervention policies have caused the deaths and displacement of millions to what end?
3
It y'all think this is awkward, imagine what a President Ted Cruz or Donald Trump would be doing in a situation like this...
1
Obama is going to get us in another no win, no objective, no strategy just blow up Arabs war.
We have Congress in melt down, Obama stumbling around like Hamlet with dementia and Putin being invited in to "Help"
Think what the money we are wasting on these insane Oil Wars could have done to advance sustainable energy production and get us off the oil that is choking us to death.
We have Congress in melt down, Obama stumbling around like Hamlet with dementia and Putin being invited in to "Help"
Think what the money we are wasting on these insane Oil Wars could have done to advance sustainable energy production and get us off the oil that is choking us to death.
1
Here's the transcript of Putin's speech: http://www.scribd.com/doc/283010015/Vladimir-Putin-s-2015-Address-to-the...
1
"Those currents include major powers that want to ignore international rules and impose order through force of military power, [President Obama] said."
I'm sorry...was he talking about Vladimir Putin, or the Republican Party?
I'm sorry...was he talking about Vladimir Putin, or the Republican Party?
While Obama is willing to cooperate with Putin, he should claim the moral high ground and to let his Russian peer know, what statesmanship is like. Lacking integrity, power alone does not earn a leader respect
2
An NPR reporter said today that Putin was happy to have people leave the Caucasus region to go fight in Syria on the hope that they'd be killed there and no longer be a problem in Russia.
3
Europe, Russia and the US should let anyone who wants to join the ISIS do so with the understanding that they will never be able to leave Syria.
1
A few weeks ago, Obama supporters were cheering Iran's Supreme Leader, demanding the American people "give peace a chance" and that its totally okay and within the Obama Doctrine to talk to and work with our enemies.
The same Obama supporters are trashing Putin and Russia, after Putin stepped in a second time to save Obama from further global humiliation on Syria, refusing to even consider working with Putin.
Why?
Because Putin is criticizing Obama and Obama's ego "got an owie" today at the UN.
Hypocrisy, thy party is Democrat.
The same Obama supporters are trashing Putin and Russia, after Putin stepped in a second time to save Obama from further global humiliation on Syria, refusing to even consider working with Putin.
Why?
Because Putin is criticizing Obama and Obama's ego "got an owie" today at the UN.
Hypocrisy, thy party is Democrat.
4
Obama's UN speech:
I'm Barack Obama, I have no plan to defeat ISIS or help Syria, but don't listen to that Russian guy who has both.
Gee, I wonder why world leaders are panning the Obama speech?
Haha!
I'm Barack Obama, I have no plan to defeat ISIS or help Syria, but don't listen to that Russian guy who has both.
Gee, I wonder why world leaders are panning the Obama speech?
Haha!
6
Mr. Obama,
I'm not clear. Mr. Putin aside, what are our goals in Syria?
As General Patton said to the soldier "trying to get some sleep" in the hallway, "You're the only one in this headquarters who knows what he's trying to do."
I'm not clear. Mr. Putin aside, what are our goals in Syria?
As General Patton said to the soldier "trying to get some sleep" in the hallway, "You're the only one in this headquarters who knows what he's trying to do."
2
Putin seeks power. His invasion of Ukraine didn't quite work out as he had planned, so he turned his attention to the war in Syria and to aiding his ally Assad. The US should not join any coalition led by Russia. Let the Russians prove their mettle in fighting in a religious sectarian war. The US can continue with air strikes against IS, aiding refugees and monitoring Russian activity so that it does not extend beyond attacking IS.
It's troubling that there seems to be no moderate leader in Syria as an alternative to Assad. After president Hosni Mubarak's removal from power in Egypt the Egyptian army leaders were able to stop extremist Muslims from taking over the government.
It's troubling that there seems to be no moderate leader in Syria as an alternative to Assad. After president Hosni Mubarak's removal from power in Egypt the Egyptian army leaders were able to stop extremist Muslims from taking over the government.
No Sir. The Egyptian military only seized control from a "democratically elected" "extemist Muslim" government, in a coup, two years later. I personally think that it is time to retire the "democratic elections solve all problems" rhetoric. Egypt is the perfect example. You cannot, on one hand, demonize and condemn dictators and military juntas, demanding "democratic elections", when they remove your preferred leader and then, on the other hand, support a military coup simply because the people vote in the "democratic elections", that you demanded take place, for a government that you dislike.
Please, Putin divided Ukraine in two, establish his government right where the biggest gas company is located, meanwhile the corrupted American system with its VP sons Hunter Biden, becomes appointed as board of Director of a Ukrainean Gas company called Burisma. Sorry, pal, Putin got that too.
Concerning geopolitics, the Western establishment is reaping what it has sown thru its continuous ideological proselytism: crisis, crisis, and finally, more crisis. And in some aspects, there's even a sense of déjà-vu as in the rising of ISIS when the West granted aid to the opposition group that has fought against some 'on duty' ruler over there in the Middle East. For those who lived the late 70's and early 80's it's impossible to overlook the overwhelming resemblance with the rising of the mujaheddin due to the then Western support to those insurgent to fight the Soviet invasion.
Needless to remind that a decade, a decade and a half later, using the weapons that the West gave them, they turned against Western targets around the world, ending up with the 9/11. Is it too much to expect that parties capable to prevent the recurrence of such facts have been learned the lesson?
Needless to remind that a decade, a decade and a half later, using the weapons that the West gave them, they turned against Western targets around the world, ending up with the 9/11. Is it too much to expect that parties capable to prevent the recurrence of such facts have been learned the lesson?
2
Jealous? Can't take it America?
Russia Surprises U.S. With Accord on Battling ISIS
By MICHAEL R. GORDON
SEPT. 27, 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/28/world/middleeast/iraq-agrees-to-share-...
Be Exceptional!
Russia Surprises U.S. With Accord on Battling ISIS
By MICHAEL R. GORDON
SEPT. 27, 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/28/world/middleeast/iraq-agrees-to-share-...
Be Exceptional!
2
Not at all, though if Canada is jealous, they should join the fight.
I would sign for every word that Obama said but they are all irrelevant. The facts show that in all the political hot spots around the world the US is incapable of truly influence the outcome. China can play the game and finance the UN but will not back an inch from its actions in south china sea. Obama complains about Assad are all true but has nothing to do with the reality in Syria at this point of time. The fact is that the west is leading an ineffective war against ISIS who keeps getting stronger by recruiting tens of thousands of people, more then ever before. The sanctions on Russia following Crimea annexation and supporting the rebels in eastern Ukraine are laughable.
It's not Obama's fault. Western democracies with their eyes constantly on their electorate, with their free and hysteric media, with an ingrained paternalism of "we know best", with crippling political correctness and judicious, hypocritical approach to complex problems, fail to adapt to the realities of the middle east and other conflict zones.
Putin, the Russian fox, smells weakness and take advantage of the situation, outsmarting the clumsy west. Whether we like it or not Russia sees the reality as is and act accordingly. They have interests to protect and currently Assad is an important part of their plan. They see the obvious: the destruction of ISIS and co. is top priority and all the rest is of secondary consideration.
It's not Obama's fault. Western democracies with their eyes constantly on their electorate, with their free and hysteric media, with an ingrained paternalism of "we know best", with crippling political correctness and judicious, hypocritical approach to complex problems, fail to adapt to the realities of the middle east and other conflict zones.
Putin, the Russian fox, smells weakness and take advantage of the situation, outsmarting the clumsy west. Whether we like it or not Russia sees the reality as is and act accordingly. They have interests to protect and currently Assad is an important part of their plan. They see the obvious: the destruction of ISIS and co. is top priority and all the rest is of secondary consideration.
5
Contrast this: One is a man of action and not mere speeches, and the other, a man of smiles and mere promises.
Guess who is who...? And guess who is the more "effective Leader" of the two.
Guess who is who...? And guess who is the more "effective Leader" of the two.
5
By signing an intelligence sharing agreement with Iran, Iraq and Syria, Putin has shown the world that he has a better understanding of the situation in the middle East. The ISIS is a front for the radical Islam being promoted by the wily sheikhs of the Sunni countries (read Saudi Arabia, UAE and Turkey). By failing to acknowledge that who we call our friend (the above 3 countries) is actually a big threat to world peace we have shown an utter lack of understanding of the middle east situation. We could still turn the situation in our favor by accepting that Putin is right and then publicly condemn Saudi Arabia and force a show of hands by them. Defeating ISIS by itself will not ensure victory. We nee to economically cripple Saudi Arabia, UAE and Turkey.
7
In the exchange of accusations by Presidents Obama and Putin at the United Nations where the two leaders are blaming each other for the catastrophic war in Syria and the refugee crisis it helped to spawn: Obama is right and Putin is wrong.
This achromous exchange was preceded by another story yesterday of Russia having reached an understanding with Iraq, Syria and Iran to share intelligence about ISIS militants. This was preceded by other stories of Russia moving bomber aircraft, troops and heavy armed equipment to support al-Assad’s government in its war against ISIS. Again, these events were preceded by multiple stories of large waves of Syrian refugees leaving various parts of the Middle East for Europe … suffering many deaths along the way.
The only good news is that Russia has joined forces with Iraq, Syria and Iran to fight ISIS.
But this is overwhelmed by the bad news that this supports al-Assad (1) to remain in power in a broken state that he has destroyed with Russian support and (2) to continue a war against ISIS that he is losing.
The second bad news is that the support by Russia does not help the Syrian citizens who are still leaving Syria in large numbers owing to the violence and death in their broken country.
There will be much more violence and death as a result of Russia’s increased involvement in Syria.
The only good news would be if al-Assad leaves Syria and there are general elections in Syria under the sponsorship of the United Nations.
This achromous exchange was preceded by another story yesterday of Russia having reached an understanding with Iraq, Syria and Iran to share intelligence about ISIS militants. This was preceded by other stories of Russia moving bomber aircraft, troops and heavy armed equipment to support al-Assad’s government in its war against ISIS. Again, these events were preceded by multiple stories of large waves of Syrian refugees leaving various parts of the Middle East for Europe … suffering many deaths along the way.
The only good news is that Russia has joined forces with Iraq, Syria and Iran to fight ISIS.
But this is overwhelmed by the bad news that this supports al-Assad (1) to remain in power in a broken state that he has destroyed with Russian support and (2) to continue a war against ISIS that he is losing.
The second bad news is that the support by Russia does not help the Syrian citizens who are still leaving Syria in large numbers owing to the violence and death in their broken country.
There will be much more violence and death as a result of Russia’s increased involvement in Syria.
The only good news would be if al-Assad leaves Syria and there are general elections in Syria under the sponsorship of the United Nations.
3
President Obama's focus on negotiation and diplomacy represent the hope of most nations as the world remains in chaos. President Putin represents the past: Might is Right.
President Obama stood out as the smartest person in the room. No surprise here. May his vision become reality and these pitiful, endless, fruitless and costly wars in the mideast become a thing of the past. The great majority of the world's people simply want to lead their lives in peace.
President Obama stood out as the smartest person in the room. No surprise here. May his vision become reality and these pitiful, endless, fruitless and costly wars in the mideast become a thing of the past. The great majority of the world's people simply want to lead their lives in peace.
72
A major component of the problem is Obama continues to think he is the smartest person in the room. Another key aspect is he views the world as he would like it to be as opposed to the way it actually is. Its so sad that he clueless and is a utter failure. specifically in the Middle East, and in foreign policy in general.
If you believe what you've said, you are hopelessly deceived by government & media propaganda that has presented a thoroughly false narrative on Russian actions and intentions. Russia's military is outspent & out-gunned by America at least 10-to-1. Add in NATO's capabilities & it's probably 20-to-1. As Russia constantly says, they are not insane & do not intend to start a war with the world's hegemon. Look at the facts. It has been America that broke its agreement with Gorbachev & expanded NATO, establishing a military threat right on Russia's borders. Our weapons are an hour's drive from their 2nd largest city of St. Petersburg & only 3 or 400 miles from their capital of Moscow. We've now armed Poland & the Baltics to the teeth establishing bases all along the border, while blatantly posturing & trash talking about non-existent "Russian aggression." The coup d'tat in Ukraine was fomented by Nuland & her neocons who keep encouraging Kiev to bombard their own citizens in the Donbass, a Russian ethnic minority who did not like the coup or the type of ruthless people put in power by America. Funny how most of the Ukrainian government are not even Ukrainians but foreigners approved by America. Even Joe Biden gave his son Hunter a piece of the pie in the Ukrainian energy sector. The Crimeans, Russian for 300 hundred years, also wanted no part of the Ukrainian ultranationalists put in power by Uncle Sam & VOTED to secede from Ukraine. There was NO Russian invasion.
So, basically hope.
Putin came to the UN, on US soil, and blatantly dismissed Obama as a non factor on the world stage. And it is clear that Putin holds Obama in total contempt.
He saw Obama thump his chest and say he could bomb Syria without Congressional approval and draw his infamous red line in the sand which he later tried to say it was the world's red line.
He saw Obama ignore intelligence briefings on ISIS and then fail to develop a strategy to destroy them. Obama's " denigrate and destroy" resulted in 70% of fighters having come back without dropping their pay load. There is no substance.
He saw Obama go into Libya and when done leave it in state of anarchy.
He saw him refuse to give Ukraine lethal aid to fight the rebels.
Putin knows that Obama is a novice on the world front who thinks his charisma and charm will carry him through. Obama has to choose to ignore the taunts. Before his first official visit to China they openly mocked Obama in the press. It was unprecedented. Putin has continually mocked Obama and in doing so has under mind his stature in the region.
While it's a cliche' I believe it's true. Our enemies don't fear us and our allies don't respect us. Obama has taken the only super power in the country to a country that doesn't want to offend, doesn't want to take the lead, who can't formulate a coherent policy.
Putin will back up what he says. Obama needs his teleprompter to tell him what to do. What a stark contrast in principle and approach. And whose in control?
He saw Obama thump his chest and say he could bomb Syria without Congressional approval and draw his infamous red line in the sand which he later tried to say it was the world's red line.
He saw Obama ignore intelligence briefings on ISIS and then fail to develop a strategy to destroy them. Obama's " denigrate and destroy" resulted in 70% of fighters having come back without dropping their pay load. There is no substance.
He saw Obama go into Libya and when done leave it in state of anarchy.
He saw him refuse to give Ukraine lethal aid to fight the rebels.
Putin knows that Obama is a novice on the world front who thinks his charisma and charm will carry him through. Obama has to choose to ignore the taunts. Before his first official visit to China they openly mocked Obama in the press. It was unprecedented. Putin has continually mocked Obama and in doing so has under mind his stature in the region.
While it's a cliche' I believe it's true. Our enemies don't fear us and our allies don't respect us. Obama has taken the only super power in the country to a country that doesn't want to offend, doesn't want to take the lead, who can't formulate a coherent policy.
Putin will back up what he says. Obama needs his teleprompter to tell him what to do. What a stark contrast in principle and approach. And whose in control?
3
It is always hard to hear Americans extol the virtues of international law and condemn others for ignoring sovereignty when the US officially refuses to acknowledge the illegality of its invasion of Iraq or to hold anyone accountable for that action. Obama did not vote for the Iraq war, but he cannot change the fact that his country did to Iraq exactly what Russia did to Crimea, a big difference being that most of the population of Crimea actually wants to be part of Russia. The US will wear Iraq for decades to come. It is time to stop pretending that the US is not basically saying "do as we say, not as we do" to everyone else.
7
It is difficult to say what is driving the disingenuous and misleading rhetoric by Obama and most of the US congress. Is it just plain allegiance to their geo-political goals to support Israel and Sunni arabs? Or is it just plain arrogance?
It is apparent for any objective observer that Mr. Putin is right on Syria and Ukraine.
It is apparent for any objective observer that Mr. Putin is right on Syria and Ukraine.
4
How is breaking International laws by seizing a sovereign nation's territory (Crimea and eastern Ukraine), causing war, terror, over a million refugees, so right? Putin is an international criminal. There's nothing right about Putin or his intentions.
Mr. Obama criticism of Vladimir V. Putin at the United Nations General Assembly over Syria was not constructive and confusing to the current critical issues. He castigated Russia by name multiple times in his speech for its defense of the Syrian government, its takeover of Crimea and its actions supporting Ukrainian rebels.
“Dangerous currents risk pulling us back into a darker, more disordered world,” Mr. Obama said. This statement is uncalled for. Putin's specific actions in support of the Syrian government against the Islamic State jihad terrorists aggression is justified.
“Dangerous currents risk pulling us back into a darker, more disordered world,” Mr. Obama said. This statement is uncalled for. Putin's specific actions in support of the Syrian government against the Islamic State jihad terrorists aggression is justified.
6
"But we cannot stand by when the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a nation is flagrantly violated.”
Would Mr. Obama care to square this circle with the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the USA?
Would Mr. Obama care to square this circle with the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the USA?
11
"But we cannot stand by when the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a nation is flagrantly violated.” Barack H. Obama, speech to the UN 9/28/2015
See crisis at the US border with Mexico.
I think Obama is just in NYC for a free meal and to see Michelle's appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
See crisis at the US border with Mexico.
I think Obama is just in NYC for a free meal and to see Michelle's appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
1
DCBarrister:
Illegal border crossings into the USA from Mexico are at an all-time low. The 11 million undocumented immigrants Republicans are incensed about have been living in the USA for decades generally having overstayed visas or crossed the border illegally decades ago.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/flow-of-illegal-immigration-slows...
Illegal border crossings into the USA from Mexico are at an all-time low. The 11 million undocumented immigrants Republicans are incensed about have been living in the USA for decades generally having overstayed visas or crossed the border illegally decades ago.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/flow-of-illegal-immigration-slows...
So Russia supports Assad. I have two points.
First, for 500 years the Russian tsars (including Putin) have lusted after a warm water port. 1877 saw Alexander II looking at the walls of Istanbul. But he was finessed by the British in 1878 at the Congress of Berlin. Occupying a Syrian port gives Russia its entry to the Mediterranean and a major step forward in its geopolitical reach
Secondly, the U.S. has extreme myopia when reflecting on the war, murder and chaos around the planet effected by the U.S. directly or through it proxies. Start with the Philippine Revolt in 1900 (750,000 natives dead) and fast forward through Iran, Viet Nam, Latin America, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia to name a few.
There is a reason the U.S. will not sign the ICC Treaty. Its politicians would be quickly before the tribunal for multiple war crimes. But I admit the homeland is safe.
First, for 500 years the Russian tsars (including Putin) have lusted after a warm water port. 1877 saw Alexander II looking at the walls of Istanbul. But he was finessed by the British in 1878 at the Congress of Berlin. Occupying a Syrian port gives Russia its entry to the Mediterranean and a major step forward in its geopolitical reach
Secondly, the U.S. has extreme myopia when reflecting on the war, murder and chaos around the planet effected by the U.S. directly or through it proxies. Start with the Philippine Revolt in 1900 (750,000 natives dead) and fast forward through Iran, Viet Nam, Latin America, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia to name a few.
There is a reason the U.S. will not sign the ICC Treaty. Its politicians would be quickly before the tribunal for multiple war crimes. But I admit the homeland is safe.
5
@MacDonald - How does Putin establish a land bridge to the Syrian port? You are tossing around ideas that don't link up.
Putin and Assad should be left to deal with ISIS. Let's see how they do. The fact that the West can't seem to get their act together in the ME is what is causing more destabilization. Whether it's our not knowing who to back or Europe allowing in fettered immigration by economic migrants, the fact is allowing Russia and Assad to deal with it might actually be a very good thing.
We insist that the culture of democracy is something that can be imported and planted in other parts of the world and it will be embraced and grow. Well much of the ME isn't a desert for a reason. Our western values and system of government will not grow there the way we would like it. Perhaps harsh dictatorships are what these people can only live and prosper peaceable under. It seems that one tyrant is replaced by another from a rival religious group. While Assad is bad, I'm guessing the Syrian people believe this civil war is worse. And he was pretty secular in the way people could live in Syria.
The West needs to stop nation building in an area that is still primarily tribal with in instances a dictator to keep all the factions in line. We need to trade with them, we need to figure out how to live "next" to them, but not amongst them.
Good luck to Putin is all I can say. I guess the Russians want a second chance after their Vietnam...Afghanistan!
We insist that the culture of democracy is something that can be imported and planted in other parts of the world and it will be embraced and grow. Well much of the ME isn't a desert for a reason. Our western values and system of government will not grow there the way we would like it. Perhaps harsh dictatorships are what these people can only live and prosper peaceable under. It seems that one tyrant is replaced by another from a rival religious group. While Assad is bad, I'm guessing the Syrian people believe this civil war is worse. And he was pretty secular in the way people could live in Syria.
The West needs to stop nation building in an area that is still primarily tribal with in instances a dictator to keep all the factions in line. We need to trade with them, we need to figure out how to live "next" to them, but not amongst them.
Good luck to Putin is all I can say. I guess the Russians want a second chance after their Vietnam...Afghanistan!
2
I am not sure the US can really lay claim to the moral high ground here. It seems to be the prerogative of super powers to prop up their favorite corrupt/repressive governments and the US is just as guilty of that (think: Viet Nam, Chile, Iran) as Russia.
If Russia and Iran think they can solve the ISIS problem by supporting Assad, I think we should let them take a crack at it. It is a thorny expensive problem and I am frankly not sure it is our problem to solve, at least not alone. Assad is of the same ilk as Saddam, but like Iraq, Syria was stable. Getting rid of Assad is quite likely going to leave Syria as dysfunctional as Iraq and provide more breeding ground for ISIS. Give it to Russia and Iran to fix.
If Russia and Iran think they can solve the ISIS problem by supporting Assad, I think we should let them take a crack at it. It is a thorny expensive problem and I am frankly not sure it is our problem to solve, at least not alone. Assad is of the same ilk as Saddam, but like Iraq, Syria was stable. Getting rid of Assad is quite likely going to leave Syria as dysfunctional as Iraq and provide more breeding ground for ISIS. Give it to Russia and Iran to fix.
7
Scott: Some good points there, but I would argue that the Obama presidency is the most non-interventionist in some time. The last corrupt govt we propped was al Maliki in Iraq - but that was initially Bush's doing. And look how that turned out. Obama is smart, and his non-interventionism is exactly why we are not in deeper than we are in Syria. Remeber, if it was up to John McCain, Lindsey Graham, or any host of other republican politicians, we would have boots on the ground, mired in the middle of yet another calamity, with Americans dying needlessly again on a daily basis.
I understand Assad's regime is on the brink of collapse, and that apparently is one of the reasons given by Putin to get involved. (Although, if it is, I don't think it is the ONLY reason; I think the main reason is to provoke America and prevent Obama from claiming another foreign policy victory. Yes, he's that ego-maniacal.) Also, again, it's important to remind people that it isn't just the U.S. that is involved in the region, but a good chunk of the western democracies are as well. Multilateralism, people, not the cowboy unilateralism of the GWB administration, is the only thing that will work here. We don't make decisions at the flick of a switch anymore and we take into account the inputs of our allies (or at least pretend that we are working with them). It wasn't that long ago that we had the Bush II years, but people have already forgotten lessons learned from those foreign policy debacles.
I understand Assad's regime is on the brink of collapse, and that apparently is one of the reasons given by Putin to get involved. (Although, if it is, I don't think it is the ONLY reason; I think the main reason is to provoke America and prevent Obama from claiming another foreign policy victory. Yes, he's that ego-maniacal.) Also, again, it's important to remind people that it isn't just the U.S. that is involved in the region, but a good chunk of the western democracies are as well. Multilateralism, people, not the cowboy unilateralism of the GWB administration, is the only thing that will work here. We don't make decisions at the flick of a switch anymore and we take into account the inputs of our allies (or at least pretend that we are working with them). It wasn't that long ago that we had the Bush II years, but people have already forgotten lessons learned from those foreign policy debacles.
One of today's headlines: "Russia Surprises U.S. With Accord on Battling ISIS"
How could any Administration, with the CIA's $60 billion intel budget at it's disposal, have completely missed Russia's geopolitical partnerships with our Mideast allies whose purpose is directly against the same Administration's stated strategic aims. There's only several possibilities.
1) Ignoring the intelligence.
2) Mismanaging personal relations with our Mid-east Allies.
3) Focusing on helping some kid with his homemade bomb clock to push yet another false racial narrative.
4) UTTER INCOMPETENCE on foreign affairs.
How could any Administration, with the CIA's $60 billion intel budget at it's disposal, have completely missed Russia's geopolitical partnerships with our Mideast allies whose purpose is directly against the same Administration's stated strategic aims. There's only several possibilities.
1) Ignoring the intelligence.
2) Mismanaging personal relations with our Mid-east Allies.
3) Focusing on helping some kid with his homemade bomb clock to push yet another false racial narrative.
4) UTTER INCOMPETENCE on foreign affairs.
4
Again, though the Times editorial staff and I are often at odds, I praise them for opening the Comment Sections back up in their articles. Clearly, The Times is more "thick skinned" than other publications.
As for the crisis in Eurasia... No, not Syria; not Iraq; not Iran; not Israel; and not Europe! It is a crisis engulfing all of Europe and the middle east:
Obama refused to leave a quick reaction force in Iraq and all the lives we and trillions of dollars we sacrificed were for naught. Obama "thought" he could organize a Left Wing coup in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Syria. The end result was Islamic extremists filled the power vacuum and our ambassador was killed; our security forces were left to die; our correspondents were raped in the streets; and we saw the rise of a demonic force called ISIS.
Obama lit the middle east on fire, and in Europe we now see what happens when you do not control your borders. Why are we not smart enough to create Safe Zones for the refugees in Syria and Iraq? Would this not prevent the flood refugees into Europe and the U.S.? A human wave certainly seeded with Islamic terrorists?
Obama wants 200,000 Syrian refugees to come to America. Think past the displaced compassion... There are 7.5 million Muslims already in America. 90% of them believe in honor killings; subjugation of women; the murder of Jews, homosexuals, and other non-believers. With a 3.0 birth rate, is this a good thing?
Titus Corleone
As for the crisis in Eurasia... No, not Syria; not Iraq; not Iran; not Israel; and not Europe! It is a crisis engulfing all of Europe and the middle east:
Obama refused to leave a quick reaction force in Iraq and all the lives we and trillions of dollars we sacrificed were for naught. Obama "thought" he could organize a Left Wing coup in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Syria. The end result was Islamic extremists filled the power vacuum and our ambassador was killed; our security forces were left to die; our correspondents were raped in the streets; and we saw the rise of a demonic force called ISIS.
Obama lit the middle east on fire, and in Europe we now see what happens when you do not control your borders. Why are we not smart enough to create Safe Zones for the refugees in Syria and Iraq? Would this not prevent the flood refugees into Europe and the U.S.? A human wave certainly seeded with Islamic terrorists?
Obama wants 200,000 Syrian refugees to come to America. Think past the displaced compassion... There are 7.5 million Muslims already in America. 90% of them believe in honor killings; subjugation of women; the murder of Jews, homosexuals, and other non-believers. With a 3.0 birth rate, is this a good thing?
Titus Corleone
6
Let's see, the U.S. removed Saddam Hussein from Iraq and look at how well that has worked out for the people there. Can you even call Iraq a country anymore? And those Arab Spring uprising the U.S. helped support, how well is that working out for the people of Libya and Egypt? Democracy working at its best in both countries. Who ever hears about what is going on in Libya these days? Maybe our government doesn't want us to know that the country is a mess. And now we would rather take out Assad in Syria with obviously no plan on who will run the country afterwards...sound familiar? I'll take my chances on Assad keeping Syria together and let Russia take out ISIL based upon all the other fine things we have done in the region.
7
The United States and Russia have competing military agendas that do have semblances of fighting the "real" enemy (ISIS), and diversions on whom it is that needs protection (Assad vs. the Syrian people). President Obama knows that it will be difficult to accomplish a military objective in Syria if both Russia and Iran continues to interfere on behalf of Assad. This is why I'm assuming, especially with his assembly speech and upcoming meeting with Mr. Putin, that President Obama reluctant as ever is still leaving the doors open for cooperation. But I doubt President Putin will cede his position. He wants more power, and he'll do it however he can even at the cost of human suffering.
1
Comrade Putin proposes “a genuinely broad international coalition” to turn the terror of ISIS/ISIL aside. Since when has the Russian bear tossed a log on the peace bonfire? It says here that it's mere posturing. And what's he doing in the Ukraine besides attempting to destabilize it? And why, for heaven's sakes, would the comrade arm a corrupt regime bent on doubling down on its corruption at the expense of its own citizens? The next Russian-led "coalition" to exterminate a terrorist culture will be its first. I much prefer our president's thoughtful and measured take on the volatility of nation-states: what one sees is not always what one sees. International diplomacy, unlike our domestic politics, plays out in real time. Perhaps Comrade Putin wishes to amuse himself, playing some kind of con game with the 2016 U.S. elections on the horizon. Perhaps more than any other statesman at the United Nations besides President Obama, he may truly understand the rot that drives the Right in this country who are eager for boots and trenches to make their neo-Cold War points. The president understands the danger to us all both from within and without. It's not politics with him, as it is surely is with Comrade Putin. After all, who is there in all of Russia to say him "nay?"
2
I'd love to go with Mr. Obama. Assad is a horrible period.
But this round goes to Mr. Putin... since neither the U.S. nor the European Union has done anything...at all...when it comes to ISIS.
Without Russia and Iran, ISIS cannot be eliminated.
But this round goes to Mr. Putin... since neither the U.S. nor the European Union has done anything...at all...when it comes to ISIS.
Without Russia and Iran, ISIS cannot be eliminated.
3
I wonder when was the last time sanctions weakened a totalitarian regime or its interests. And I wonder when was the last time pouring arms into a complex civil war pacified a region.
The only people that can harm Putin are the Russian People themselves.
Syria reminds me of Bosnia and seeing world leaders stuttering in front of the UN logo should make us question again, for what do we have this institution?
The only people that can harm Putin are the Russian People themselves.
Syria reminds me of Bosnia and seeing world leaders stuttering in front of the UN logo should make us question again, for what do we have this institution?
2
In a deft bit of diplomacy, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon sat in between them during a lunch he hosted for a number of top leaders, according to a seating chart provided by Mr. Ban’s press office.
This pretty much summarizes what the state of affairs of political leadership in this world has devolved into . . . . Essentially spoiled and ill-tempered children who have to be separated from one another for fear they'll otherwise resort to throwing food at each other nor control themselves.
Inside both are just a couple of scared kids, totally at a lose as to what to say or do, only to be forced by their imposed positions to try and appear as if they had any real power to change an overwhelming and irreversibly bad situation. Unfortunately each has nuclear arms at their disposal, so all we in the world can do is hold or breaths and hope that neither one completely loses it.
This pretty much summarizes what the state of affairs of political leadership in this world has devolved into . . . . Essentially spoiled and ill-tempered children who have to be separated from one another for fear they'll otherwise resort to throwing food at each other nor control themselves.
Inside both are just a couple of scared kids, totally at a lose as to what to say or do, only to be forced by their imposed positions to try and appear as if they had any real power to change an overwhelming and irreversibly bad situation. Unfortunately each has nuclear arms at their disposal, so all we in the world can do is hold or breaths and hope that neither one completely loses it.
Let Putin do whatever he wants in Syria. Let him waste Russian lives and treasure. It will prove his undoing.
These ISIS maniacs, who exist because of American meddling in the Middle East and our destabilization of so many countries there, pose an existential threat to all other countries in the region, including Russia and, as you see from the refugees, also Europe. America can sit back at our great distance and be amused by the carnage, Russia realises that it must be stopped before it spreads inside their borders. Analyse the facts, don't just accept American false narratives.
What kind of world are we living in when Iran has suggestions on how to stop terrorism? Up is down, black is white, wrong is right...
Obama really knows how to play the domestic political game but outside the US he looks very naive and almost disinterested in what is going on unless it burnishes his domestic image with his constitutes. Into that power vacuum has stepped Putin and unfortunately he is right about the "real enemy" in Syria and Iraq. So we are no longer leading and we are in the back of the bus acting like we have a voice.
These countries are finding new allies and solving problems themselves because we appear impotent and mistake prone. They have to find new allies for the sake of survival. The Arab Spring turned into a disaster that we made much worse especially in Syria and Libya.
We need to really step back and understand if we really have learned anything other than running from one side of the ship to the other adopting diametrically opposing policies every 4 to 8 years.
These countries are finding new allies and solving problems themselves because we appear impotent and mistake prone. They have to find new allies for the sake of survival. The Arab Spring turned into a disaster that we made much worse especially in Syria and Libya.
We need to really step back and understand if we really have learned anything other than running from one side of the ship to the other adopting diametrically opposing policies every 4 to 8 years.
34
I don't understand. "Burnish his image?" He's not running for anything anymore. Fine, let Putin step into the quagmire.
Playing the anti-President role against GWB and Cheney who were interventionist scores a lot of points with the anti-GWB/Cheney crowd which is mostly on the left. Pacifists and isolationists which cut across both parties also approve of doing little internationally. Giving aspirational speeches that soar over the reality on the ground doesn't do much good except to make supporters feel good about our intentions.
Playing it safe and giving speeches burnishes the anti-GWB/Cheney image and plays well domestically for the most part but on the ground outside of the US nobody cares and refugees are heading for Europe every minute. This has been a low risk approach without much price but now the ME is is such a disaster it looks like we have no idea what we are doing. Enter Putin.
Playing it safe and giving speeches burnishes the anti-GWB/Cheney image and plays well domestically for the most part but on the ground outside of the US nobody cares and refugees are heading for Europe every minute. This has been a low risk approach without much price but now the ME is is such a disaster it looks like we have no idea what we are doing. Enter Putin.
President Obama has allowed himself to be hamstrung by the mythology and lies of the Bush administration. Certainly he did this in service of diplomatic continuity, yet when a criminal administration (Cheney/Bush) has created this tragedy for their own war profiteering, it is time to change the narrative. This is a consequence of not criminally prosecuting the former administration - also a difficult, if not suicidal, task.
Putin knows this and is taking full advantage. He is a superior strategist to any US President over the past two decades. Our current slate of Presidential contenders has no one who can compete with Putin. The exception is Colin Powell. If he runs, he will win.
Putin knows this and is taking full advantage. He is a superior strategist to any US President over the past two decades. Our current slate of Presidential contenders has no one who can compete with Putin. The exception is Colin Powell. If he runs, he will win.
1
There is a logic to President Obama's actions in the Middle East. He favors democracy, a reluctance to spread weapons, and regional cooperation to end conflicts-- all just peace principles and practices. His critics say that he ought to have left more US warriors in Iraq. They forget that Iraq did not want us there any longer. It was already under the influence of Iran. They say he ought to have intervened earlier in Syria, but they forget that the Syrian opposition was disorganized, that it would have been difficult to know the good rebels from the bad ones, that the establishment of a no-fly zone is an act of war against a sovereign nation and would have been extremely costly, that Saudi Arabia and others did little to help militarily, that Turkey is suspicious of the Kurds, and regional cooperation is thus ineffective.
People who want a more robust American military presence in the region do not answer the questions: how long must we stay? How much will it cost? How many American are going to die?
We have paid our dues in that region. We have no reason to try to remain the dominant hegemon in the region. If Putin wants to sink blood and treasure in the region, let him. There is no military solution to this, the answer is to try to get the opposition to Assad organized so that there will be a reasonable alternative to him when he falls.
People who want a more robust American military presence in the region do not answer the questions: how long must we stay? How much will it cost? How many American are going to die?
We have paid our dues in that region. We have no reason to try to remain the dominant hegemon in the region. If Putin wants to sink blood and treasure in the region, let him. There is no military solution to this, the answer is to try to get the opposition to Assad organized so that there will be a reasonable alternative to him when he falls.
109
If he favoured 'democracy' the Muslim Brotherhood would still be running Egypt.
I would like to see the Obama administration take a more pragmatic approach to the conflict in Syria rather than an all or nothing approach. From the beginning, the US government has said Assad must go, but, 4 years later, Syrian society under the regimes continues to operate and function, the Syrian Army is loyal and protects the population, and Assad still remains in power. The US has committed to airstrikes, probably destroying more infrastructure than hitting ISIS, and their policy on the conflict in Syria is a policy against Russia and Iran. It's a waiting game that has span for almost 5 years, and likely for more to see which rebels are more friendly to Western interest. At this point, there is no alternative than the regime in place. It's not so much continuing to be a hegemony in the Middle East, but the lack of responsibility and continued under the table deals that nothing to decrease the spill over of Iraq.
Dr. Dixon not only have they forgotten about the blunders of administrations past, the cognitive dissonance on display from many of Obama's critics suggests that they seem to hear only what they want to hear. Allowing certain actors to show their cards, or expose their mal-intent and then offer the world a chance to digest it is not naïve.
Intervention does not always have to translate to militarily. The point that is being utterly missed in Obama's speech and in his broad approach with foreign affairs has been consistently diplomacy first with consensus. After decades of staging military might, and covert actions that result in propagating more anti-U.S. sentiment, this concept of cooperation without mighty showmanship seems to escape the cognitive grasp of many.
Intervention does not always have to translate to militarily. The point that is being utterly missed in Obama's speech and in his broad approach with foreign affairs has been consistently diplomacy first with consensus. After decades of staging military might, and covert actions that result in propagating more anti-U.S. sentiment, this concept of cooperation without mighty showmanship seems to escape the cognitive grasp of many.
So called pundits bemoan the Cold War type relations between the USA and Russia forgetting together with Russia we have forged an encouraging agreement with Iran.
The Bush / Cheney axis with all their aggression and bluster just sat by and watched Iran grow their nuclear capability.
They ignored this potential danger and instead lied their way into the Iraq war and wasted the lives of our young, the innocent Iraq civilians and trillions of our treasures.
Our President has learned from this and will cooperate with Russia and Iran to rid Syria and Iraq of ISIS even if the price is to keep Assad in power for a few years while the situation is being stabilized.
The right , including Cheney, Mccain ,Fiorina will blast Him for weak leadership and yielding to Russian pressure.
I beg to differ it is in the circumstances a wise and common sense leadership and continues the cooperation achieved with the Iran nuclear agreement
The Bush / Cheney axis with all their aggression and bluster just sat by and watched Iran grow their nuclear capability.
They ignored this potential danger and instead lied their way into the Iraq war and wasted the lives of our young, the innocent Iraq civilians and trillions of our treasures.
Our President has learned from this and will cooperate with Russia and Iran to rid Syria and Iraq of ISIS even if the price is to keep Assad in power for a few years while the situation is being stabilized.
The right , including Cheney, Mccain ,Fiorina will blast Him for weak leadership and yielding to Russian pressure.
I beg to differ it is in the circumstances a wise and common sense leadership and continues the cooperation achieved with the Iran nuclear agreement
3
Obama at his absolute worst: Refusing to acknowledge that the CIA, rightwing- Israeli, and above all the fascist Saudi attempt to overthrow the relative moderate, relative popular Assad has create the horror and death and destruction of Syria and the deadly force of ISIS. Our country did that. He rails against Assad as a dictator but supports the most powerful dictators in the mid-0East, the blatant fascist Saudi regime. Syria is America's baby and the bloody, unnecessary, disgusting policies of external regime change which have failed us for a generation (if we were not military, violence business entrepreneurs) have mutilated it. in heartbreaking ways. See all that blood and misery: it's on our hands.
3
I believe Obama was sincere when he cited "dangerous currents pulling us back into a darker, more disordered world." I fear that too. Unfortunately, the United States started those currents by invading Iraq.
5
To all those that lament that Obama should have stayed in Iraq longer or maintained a presence I want to remind you that the Iraqi government DID NOT and WOULD NOT let us stay. Remember that detail? So we should have remained as an univited guest? An "occupier"?
And then we have the whiners that go on and on column after column reiterating that Obama should have "gotten rid of the Assad regime." It appears that you believe that we have the right to go into any country and depose any dictator we deem unworthy and also wipe out any forces that stand in our way by protecting the existing government? That's ridiculous to say the least.
And then we have the whiners that go on and on column after column reiterating that Obama should have "gotten rid of the Assad regime." It appears that you believe that we have the right to go into any country and depose any dictator we deem unworthy and also wipe out any forces that stand in our way by protecting the existing government? That's ridiculous to say the least.
4
Then what was Obama's "red line" about?
1
Obama "Might don't always make it right". Well, yes, but you should tell that to yourself and to Israel, the 2 countries in the world who always think might makes it right.
3
Any reporting/commentary on Syria that doesn't cover the oil/natgas pipeline contest (Qatar & Saudi v. Iran, each with their respective supporters) is dishonest and/or incompetent. As far as US/UK/Israel are concerned, when Assad changed his mind and opted for Iranian instead of Qatari sourced natgas pipeline to Western Europe, Assad signed his death warrant … not unlike Saddam Hussein signing his own death warrant when he started moving towards oil/gas contracts that wouldn't be US$ based.
3
Putin is apparently calling it like he sees it: Syria is merely part of a US and IL "final solution" for Muslims while using refugees as an effective cultural invasion force in the EU, and clearing the land for energy, defense and political interests among a US-UK-IL-SA axis. See Seymour Hersh's "The Redirection" in the New Yorker for a primer. The West is rather fortunate that unstable ideological extremists as in DC, are not currently running Russia. Otherwise what a puerile, wasted opportunity to explore and develop US-Russia ties.
2
Putin is a world class leader. He out classes Obama in every aspect of leadership. Putin does not make a move unless he is certain that its in the Russian Federation's best interests and he knows that NATO and the USA can do nothing to stop him. Putin has always taken Obama to task. Putin has no respect for Obama as he rightly knows that Obama is all talk, no action and has no respect from the international community.
3
If you close your eyes and listen to Barack Obama's rant today at the UN you'd swear you were listening to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
It was delusional.
It was delusional.
5
Just Imagine during WW2, FDR saying he would not work with Stalin to defeat Nazi Germany. That's exactly what Mr Obama is doing now and Assad is not even at the level of Stalin.
As bad as Assad is, ISIS is the enemy and should be defeated. Assad could be dealt with later. Former Yugoslavian president Milosevic comes in mind. He was arrested long after the war ended there and spent the remaining of his life in La Hague.
As bad as Assad is, ISIS is the enemy and should be defeated. Assad could be dealt with later. Former Yugoslavian president Milosevic comes in mind. He was arrested long after the war ended there and spent the remaining of his life in La Hague.
4
So the Russians want to involve themselves in the mess in Syria. They want to run point in there, it seems.
Why do people think this is a bad thing?
We've spent over a decade in the chaos that is the Middle East, and it's only gotten worse. Let someone else deal with it. If I were Obama, I'd wish the Russians luck, and get out of there as fast as possible. Good riddance!
Why do people think this is a bad thing?
We've spent over a decade in the chaos that is the Middle East, and it's only gotten worse. Let someone else deal with it. If I were Obama, I'd wish the Russians luck, and get out of there as fast as possible. Good riddance!
3
Here's what the world saw today:
Russian President Putin gaining world support to save Syria.
Barack Obama throwing a tantrum, losing world support as he tried to save his ego.
It was a disgrace.
Worst US President in history. Easily.
Russian President Putin gaining world support to save Syria.
Barack Obama throwing a tantrum, losing world support as he tried to save his ego.
It was a disgrace.
Worst US President in history. Easily.
4
Whose fault is Syria? Advantage Putin in this debate. At the start of the Syrian protests Obama tried to meddle from the sidelines for idealistic reasons - Arab Spring! - but he and his advisers lost the forest from the trees. The Libyan example cited by Putin is telling - the US encourages revolt, then quietly walks away as chaos spreads, hewing to a noninterventionist path. Putin's skill set -old school power politics - is Obama's blind spot. Obama uses appeals to reason. Putin uses tanks and fighter planes. That is a battle for regional influence whose lopsided outcome is, sadly, preordained.
1
I think, the UN Security Council should pass a resolution to authorized, the great humanist, moralist, fair and just; living super human being; the Pope Francis to take up all the major conflict issues around the globe, one by one on priority basis. He has resolved many conflicts peacefully, he can do much more; if the super power really wants to resolve them.
As Stalin famously asked, 'How many divisions does the Pope have?'
It is hypocritical to read remarks regarding the rule of law and how US stands for sovereignty of states. I still remember that US bombed Serbia without UN approval, then landed in Kosovo under UN mandate just to push for the independence of the province against the very UN mandate that got them there. Expelled people are still not allowed to return and tens of thousands have died from effects of dropped depleted uranium. Nobel for hypocrisy.
But, back to today. In Ukraine we had a coup and a new installed government dropping bombs and killing scores of its citizens in the east of the country that has predominantly Russian speaking population. But, Ukraine is good. Now in Syria we have another government bombing rebel islamists and their citizens. But, Syria is bad. Go figure.
But, back to today. In Ukraine we had a coup and a new installed government dropping bombs and killing scores of its citizens in the east of the country that has predominantly Russian speaking population. But, Ukraine is good. Now in Syria we have another government bombing rebel islamists and their citizens. But, Syria is bad. Go figure.
2
I suggest all people watch the 60 minutes interview of Putin from last night as well as Obama's and Mr. Putin's UN speeches. Obama clearly has no idea what he is doing. Putin speaks in facts and Obama speaks like a 3rd grader about how people should all just get along. Obama made serious errors in Libya, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt and Syria. His amateur errors have caused a refugee crisis, one of the worst in human history, as well as tens of thousands of deaths. Now, the Americans must also realize their economy was being held up by a massive doubling of the national debt and Fed manipulated stock and real estate prices. America now is in a serious crisis with so much debt that that the middle class will pay a great price for many decades.
3
This is what happens when you elect an inexperienced 150+ "just present" votes in the Senate President. He is and always has been in love with his own voice and his supposed wisdom. We apparently have no foreign policy to speak of and we never have, 2016 can't be here fast enough.
The conservatives are wrong about escalation of US forces as the "magic wand" to cure all ills in Syria and Iraq. This hardly needs explanation, as every attempt of trying to end foreign insurgencies with pure, blunt force have failed - from the French in Indochina to the recent US experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. Add the fact that we have no friends in Syria, it should be obvious that putting US troops on the ground is like sticking our hands into a jar full of angry scorpions.
However, Obama has made a lot of bad moves in Syria. He could have ratcheted down his rhetoric and took a wait-and-see strategy, or he could have intervened more forcefully in 2011 or 2012 when there was still a moderate dissident movement. Obama chose the worst of both worlds.
Obama's approach in Syria has always been a problem of too much rhetoric, and not enough attention to the basic realities of the situation. We saw this when both Congress and UK Parliament refused to support his demand for airstrikes when Assad crossed the chemical weapons "red line," and we see it again now when Obama is literally battling both sides of the Syrian Civil War in support of some non-existent moderate faction. Even the Iraqis, propped up by US assistance, recognized the futility of Obama's way by making a secret intelligence deal with Russia.
Lofty ideals engender ridicule rather than admiration when they are completely detached from reality.
However, Obama has made a lot of bad moves in Syria. He could have ratcheted down his rhetoric and took a wait-and-see strategy, or he could have intervened more forcefully in 2011 or 2012 when there was still a moderate dissident movement. Obama chose the worst of both worlds.
Obama's approach in Syria has always been a problem of too much rhetoric, and not enough attention to the basic realities of the situation. We saw this when both Congress and UK Parliament refused to support his demand for airstrikes when Assad crossed the chemical weapons "red line," and we see it again now when Obama is literally battling both sides of the Syrian Civil War in support of some non-existent moderate faction. Even the Iraqis, propped up by US assistance, recognized the futility of Obama's way by making a secret intelligence deal with Russia.
Lofty ideals engender ridicule rather than admiration when they are completely detached from reality.
2
While Obama is one of the weakest most feckless presidents in recent times, at the end of the day there is only so much any president can do.
For those raised on the fundamentals of Islam, there is an assumed superiority and programmed dehumanization of the non-believer (including other Muslims believing slightly different variants of the 'true' doctrine). The persecution and suppression of the 'other', by violence if necessary, is a natural extension of that thinking. It is what the prophet Mohammed did in his time, and it is what groups most similar to his approach (such as ISIS) do now.
There are many Muslims who have been westernized culturally or at least I the realm of ideas, who do not support violence, and thus in their actions reject the teachings of their founder. That's good, and we should continue to encourage this kind of watered-down westernized pseudo-Islam, but the fact remains that large parts of the Islamic population on earth are going to remain more true to the text and their prophet's life, and at a minimum sympathize with groups like ISIS.
Unfortunately, in these regions where Islam is dominant, history tells us that hardline dictators with power of political and social suppression are the best model for keeping the peace for the rest of us. When huge sections of the population are sympathetic to the beliefs and actions of Mohammed, this is sadly exactly what you would expect.
For those raised on the fundamentals of Islam, there is an assumed superiority and programmed dehumanization of the non-believer (including other Muslims believing slightly different variants of the 'true' doctrine). The persecution and suppression of the 'other', by violence if necessary, is a natural extension of that thinking. It is what the prophet Mohammed did in his time, and it is what groups most similar to his approach (such as ISIS) do now.
There are many Muslims who have been westernized culturally or at least I the realm of ideas, who do not support violence, and thus in their actions reject the teachings of their founder. That's good, and we should continue to encourage this kind of watered-down westernized pseudo-Islam, but the fact remains that large parts of the Islamic population on earth are going to remain more true to the text and their prophet's life, and at a minimum sympathize with groups like ISIS.
Unfortunately, in these regions where Islam is dominant, history tells us that hardline dictators with power of political and social suppression are the best model for keeping the peace for the rest of us. When huge sections of the population are sympathetic to the beliefs and actions of Mohammed, this is sadly exactly what you would expect.
2
Obama demonstrates outrageous gall when castigating Europeans for not doing enough to deal with the refugee crisis that America created in the middle east. The only real difference between Bush and Obama is in their methods of creating chaos. Bush by imagining that he could create a democratic middle east by military means and Obama thinking he could do it by giving a speech, each have been the leading contributors to the chaos. At this point each has been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands and displacement of millions. Bush sacrificed thousands of his own countrymen for an unrealizable ideal and Obama sacrificed hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Syrians for more Obamaphones. Which is worse?
2
I have never heard a more convoluted and delusional speech before the U.N. than that which was given by Obama today. It was absolutely a masterpiece of incoherence and intellectual deceptiveness. Obama never was a good or intelligent speaker and this speech is proof. What is apparent is that Obama has no concept or understanding of world affairs, foreign cultures and governments, history, nor simple logic. The statements made were a conglomeration of disjoined threads of fantasy. Worse than his senseless inarticulate gibber, Obama being in the position of President is exceptionally dangerous. The U.S. is rudderless now.
1
US whining about the Russian annexation of Crimea, a territory that has always been part of Russia, will fall on deaf ears, as long as we continue financing the annexation of Golan, Jerusalem, and occupation of West Bank and Gaza. We have NO credibility because of our double standards and perverse foreign policy in ME hostage to our alliance with Israel.
5
Obama is wrong in blaming Russia for the Syria mess. America under the leadership of Obama-Hillary sawed the seeds of rebels overthrow of Assad using Saudis oil dollars and Jihadis from the 5 Arab nations, similar to we did in Afghanistan to defeat Russia and Iraq and Libya to topple the stable governments. Rather than Russia, America has more blood on his hands in killings and destruction in these nations and must be made responsible legally and morally too.
3
Ah, chess. Putin is castled in the Ukraine and is making a gambit to take Obama's queen, what he proposes is Syrian opposition to ISIS. Obama is withdrawing his queen and presenting a pawn, Assad in sacrifice. Putin has to take Assad, he has no choice. Obama lets him have Assad, the pawn. Putin now owns two very expensive and impossible stalemates, Ukraine and Syria. McCain wants us to find more rebels to arm, he is playing checkers. Putin is committed on this one, the fly has captured the flypaper.
For the last 7 years I have been watching Obama bumbling around and wach time one of his synchophants comes here and tell how this is really genuis, like rope-a-dope. Are you so deep in partisan politics that you don't realize how foolish that sounds. Obama has run his presidency on lies, lies and more lies. But you don't want to see. Why?
Fantasy football should not define one's entire outlook.
Obama and Putin and everyone else is complaining. Posturing by these and other leaders is a form of complaining. There's more to life than complaining.
Undoubtedly, non-Isis interests can unify (enemy of my enemy) and roll back violent Islamic extremism as a singular goal. After that, back to complaining.
Undoubtedly, non-Isis interests can unify (enemy of my enemy) and roll back violent Islamic extremism as a singular goal. After that, back to complaining.
Yes, there is finger pointing between the US and Russia. However, am I the only reader of this piece that feels that it is neither about our POTUS nor Putin? This is about the Middle East, their tribal and sectarian wars, that we will not be able to stop. I for one do not want anymore of our lives lost in that region of the world. Where did involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan get us? Many of our military either died or were injured, some for life. And it is worse now than ever. This is not President Obama's fault, and I am not sure how much of it is former president Bush's fault (although I personally hold him more accountable). As a final thought, let us break out of our US/Russia bubble and look at Western Europe and a disturbingly powerless UN. Where have they been during the last 15 years? Inaction and non-involvement, turning the other way, can also be a form of moral corruption.
It's uncanny how much Obama's talk about Assad sounds like George W's talk about Hussein. Don't we ever change?
8
Dunno how you arrived at that baseless conclusion? Bush's Iraq adventure was cynical folly from start to finish. In Syria, we all can see the evidence of the Assad family's murderous misrule going back to "Daddy Assad's" coup in the early 1970s. Seriously, dude, you can borrow history books at the library that lay this out all very clearly.
"He pointed to the war in Iraq where, despite sending more than 100,000 troops and spending trillions of dollars, the United States was unsuccessful in stabilizing the country"
Obama forgot to mention the American servicemen lifes lost and thousands of wounded. What about millions of Iraqi's displaced and hundreds of thousands killed?
Talk about high moral grounds.
Is it politically incorrect to mention that former US friend ( before he became en enemy) Saddam was keeping his country stable: Shia Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Christians, Kurds (he had to kill a few, but I think not as many as Nato member Turkey did over the years and just recently.
Same goes for Syria: prior to US giving weapons to rebels, which now I hear is being passed on to Al Qaeda.
Where does ISIS gets their motorized vehicles I keep seeing in documentary footage? Can any military reader please tell us if they can ID it?
Obama forgot to mention the American servicemen lifes lost and thousands of wounded. What about millions of Iraqi's displaced and hundreds of thousands killed?
Talk about high moral grounds.
Is it politically incorrect to mention that former US friend ( before he became en enemy) Saddam was keeping his country stable: Shia Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Christians, Kurds (he had to kill a few, but I think not as many as Nato member Turkey did over the years and just recently.
Same goes for Syria: prior to US giving weapons to rebels, which now I hear is being passed on to Al Qaeda.
Where does ISIS gets their motorized vehicles I keep seeing in documentary footage? Can any military reader please tell us if they can ID it?
5
What a clown show.
Obama: Assad needs to go, until then, we should talk about it until he fades.
Putin: Am going in whether you like it or not.
China: the South Pacific is my territory.
Mr Ban: you are all jerks for not allowing the economic migrants in
All: it’s all your fault.
Sounds like my ex family at Thanksgiving dinner.
If we will not do anything in Syria, we should just let the Russians deal with it. And stop shaming Europe for attempting to uphold the laws that created the EU in the first place.
Kind of ironic, that while this clown show is going on, a major Afghanistan city just fell to the Taliban (didn't we fight these guys for 13 years? Didn’t we create these guys back in the late 80’s?).
And Mr Ban. You are entirely wrong. We the tax payers of the world do NOT owe the economic migrants of the Middle East a life time of happiness with our taxes. We are already working overtime, getting squeezed for the last cent we have. You will not hang failed states on the few people who, despite people like you, keep on working. Just say thank you and go away, I do not need you telling me how I need to pay for other family’s future, when I can barely keep mine afloat.
Obama: Assad needs to go, until then, we should talk about it until he fades.
Putin: Am going in whether you like it or not.
China: the South Pacific is my territory.
Mr Ban: you are all jerks for not allowing the economic migrants in
All: it’s all your fault.
Sounds like my ex family at Thanksgiving dinner.
If we will not do anything in Syria, we should just let the Russians deal with it. And stop shaming Europe for attempting to uphold the laws that created the EU in the first place.
Kind of ironic, that while this clown show is going on, a major Afghanistan city just fell to the Taliban (didn't we fight these guys for 13 years? Didn’t we create these guys back in the late 80’s?).
And Mr Ban. You are entirely wrong. We the tax payers of the world do NOT owe the economic migrants of the Middle East a life time of happiness with our taxes. We are already working overtime, getting squeezed for the last cent we have. You will not hang failed states on the few people who, despite people like you, keep on working. Just say thank you and go away, I do not need you telling me how I need to pay for other family’s future, when I can barely keep mine afloat.
5
We reserve the use of our taxes in the middle east for killing the people who live there.
Each leader's essential message can be distilled from their speeches.China, maintain the world order, economic development.There will be no Chinese military expansion.
Russia, Assad represents stability. Putin rejects the absurd concept of American Exceptionalism. How does that sound to the rest of the world?Assad will go, guaranteed.The timing is up in the air. Russia's involvement will expedite the end of the violence, despite the expected Republican blabbing of doom.
Obama stresses negotiated, not military solutions. He ridiculed disastrous Republican foreign policy assumptions, like Military solutions and the myth of a American omnipotence.
Rouhani, accurately blaming the U.S. for the emergence of ISIS, and the Iranian rejection of nuclear weapons based on a Fatwah by the Supreme Leader. The effectiveness of sanctions was manifest.It really hurt them. There will never be an Iranian nuclear weapon.
Russia and the U.S. will negotiate the exit of Assad, with guarantees of a Russian retention of bases. Syria will be partitioned. Putin and Obama are both used to being the smartest guy in the room.Thats the source of their animus.They would never admit that, but it is what it is.
Russia, Assad represents stability. Putin rejects the absurd concept of American Exceptionalism. How does that sound to the rest of the world?Assad will go, guaranteed.The timing is up in the air. Russia's involvement will expedite the end of the violence, despite the expected Republican blabbing of doom.
Obama stresses negotiated, not military solutions. He ridiculed disastrous Republican foreign policy assumptions, like Military solutions and the myth of a American omnipotence.
Rouhani, accurately blaming the U.S. for the emergence of ISIS, and the Iranian rejection of nuclear weapons based on a Fatwah by the Supreme Leader. The effectiveness of sanctions was manifest.It really hurt them. There will never be an Iranian nuclear weapon.
Russia and the U.S. will negotiate the exit of Assad, with guarantees of a Russian retention of bases. Syria will be partitioned. Putin and Obama are both used to being the smartest guy in the room.Thats the source of their animus.They would never admit that, but it is what it is.
3
Obama: “But we cannot stand by when the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a nation is flagrantly violated.”
Like Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, etc.?
America's biggest export: Hypocrisy
Like Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, etc.?
America's biggest export: Hypocrisy
17
If they could stop the grandstanding for a few hours, perhaps Presidents Obama and Putin could discuss detente with Al-Assad? Hard to see how you stifle ISIS without him..http://www.forbes.com/sites/shelliekarabell/2015/09/27/syria-whos-respon...
4
How the US can blame Russia for Syria beats me.
This was a US created disaster...
The US created the Arab spring...for better or worse.
The US could end this pretty quick too...just impose import quotas on OPEC oil.
That would boost the US oil industry and destroy the Middle East.
Turkey could also take some blame for essentially funding ISIS by allowing them a way to sell oil.
This was a US created disaster...
The US created the Arab spring...for better or worse.
The US could end this pretty quick too...just impose import quotas on OPEC oil.
That would boost the US oil industry and destroy the Middle East.
Turkey could also take some blame for essentially funding ISIS by allowing them a way to sell oil.
6
If the Russians want to take the lead in the middle east, let them try. Then we can leave.
4
Keep in mind: it's the illogical, reckless, irrationality of US foreign policy over the last 15 years, spreading chaos in the Middle East that is making Russia look like a rational force for stability in contrast.
Rather, dysfunction in US foreign policy has reached a new nadir, and the media won't discuss the elephant stuck in the pit in the room.
Why did it take years to realize that the training of the pro-US Syrian rebels was a fruitlessly bad idea? Why did the US gov react so slowly to the surging growth of ISIS? Why did the US & the MSM ignore the continuing humanitarian fallout of the collapse of the Qaddafi dictatorship? Who thought that cheering on & promoting a Syrian civil war would not produce massive suffering on the scale of millions? These were obvious mistakes, not "unknown unknowns". Exasperation -- due to more people dying & suffering due to regime change than by dictatorship. What we're being told by the media does not make any logical sense either (i.e.: "barrel bombs, bad; cluster & iron bombs, good" ).
What has been truly going on? Whose interests are truly being served?
Rather, dysfunction in US foreign policy has reached a new nadir, and the media won't discuss the elephant stuck in the pit in the room.
Why did it take years to realize that the training of the pro-US Syrian rebels was a fruitlessly bad idea? Why did the US gov react so slowly to the surging growth of ISIS? Why did the US & the MSM ignore the continuing humanitarian fallout of the collapse of the Qaddafi dictatorship? Who thought that cheering on & promoting a Syrian civil war would not produce massive suffering on the scale of millions? These were obvious mistakes, not "unknown unknowns". Exasperation -- due to more people dying & suffering due to regime change than by dictatorship. What we're being told by the media does not make any logical sense either (i.e.: "barrel bombs, bad; cluster & iron bombs, good" ).
What has been truly going on? Whose interests are truly being served?
95
Obam and Hillary's interests are why the media stays mum.
1
Read an article that oil/gas companies need a gas pipe from Iraq through Syria to Turkey to Europe- Assad refused to participate.
Russian gas pipe goes to Europe through Ukraine. If US has a friendly (bought by US taxpayers) government in Ukraine in a few years - Russia gets shut out just in time for a new Iraq-Syria-Turkey pipe delivering goods to Europe.
Yeah!!! Who cares about millions of other peoples lives!!
Russian gas pipe goes to Europe through Ukraine. If US has a friendly (bought by US taxpayers) government in Ukraine in a few years - Russia gets shut out just in time for a new Iraq-Syria-Turkey pipe delivering goods to Europe.
Yeah!!! Who cares about millions of other peoples lives!!
The only logical answer to all these questions is that everything was planned that way. I don't believe these are obvious mistakes. I think they are deliberate.
Trump said the smart thing to do is to work with Putin to put down the extremists in Syria. Sometimes you learn the truth from the crazy guy.
5
Given what we heard at the UN, the world thinks Obama is the crazy guy.
6
I agree with what Obama is saying, partially. ISIL survives because of poverty. ISIL is wealthy, in areas where 10% of the population has all the wealth (Asad's sect). This group gets the best education, the best jobs, the wealth etc.
ISIL comes in offering cash to those who join, so people join.
Deal with income inequality and the ISIL problem will eventually resolve itself.
ISIL comes in offering cash to those who join, so people join.
Deal with income inequality and the ISIL problem will eventually resolve itself.
3
You would have to first define income inequality. And I hope it is more involved than hating the rich guy.
You mean Obama's empty promises with nothing behind them might cause problems. Who knew? Certainly not President Red Line. He walks noisly and Putin already found out he doesn't have much of stick. Amatuer hour year 8.
7
The stage set for the Obama speech made me feel like I was watching a new version of The Wizard of Oz. So much dramatic green ! Who IS behind that curtain ?!
The Obama Legacy:
Russia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria forming global coalition with China and other world powers to conduct military operations and share intelligence without the United States to stop global Islamic terrorism created by terror leaders Obama released from GITMO.
What a buffoon we have in the White House.
Russia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria forming global coalition with China and other world powers to conduct military operations and share intelligence without the United States to stop global Islamic terrorism created by terror leaders Obama released from GITMO.
What a buffoon we have in the White House.
10
I see a very smart and intelligent Prez. Let the (economically) poorer countries form a coalition and fight the Islamic terrorism. Let them sacrifice and shed some blood. Why do we care? Didn't we poke nose in all these 20 years all over the world?
Buffoons are those who fought in Iraq without a reason. If only we didn't have done that, there's wouldn't have been this mess in the ME. So don't blame it on the Obama, instead, put Bush Sr. to task for starting with a grand mistake, only to be followed by another grandeur by his incompetent son.
Buffoons are those who fought in Iraq without a reason. If only we didn't have done that, there's wouldn't have been this mess in the ME. So don't blame it on the Obama, instead, put Bush Sr. to task for starting with a grand mistake, only to be followed by another grandeur by his incompetent son.
If what you're saying is true, why did Obama draw the red line? Why did he promise to destroy ISIS? Why has he sent thousands of troops back into Iraq?
Listen to yourself.
Listen to yourself.
1
I really feel for President Obama here; in a sense he's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't in this awful region. In Libya, he went in with bombers to support an uprising and "prevent slaughter," of rebels by Gaddafi loyalists. He got a civil war, a weak Libyan government, and chaos. In Syria he refused to intervene in a sectarian civil war, even after Assad crossed his "red line" of using chemical weapons. He got an even worse civil war, slaughter of civilians, a proxy battle with Iran and Russia, and the rise of ISIS. Now there's a refugee crisis threatening our closest allies to go with it, and all the blame lands squarely at Obama's feet.
The Middle East is in some ways like a constantly shifting jigsaw puzzle; once you think you've fit some pieces together you find another piece that doesn't fit anything, and the whole puzzle changes. I'm not sure that any American president (or anyone really) has the answer to it; in a sense our best foreign policy there might be to quash the most extreme elements like ISIS, and beyond that to simply step back and let things take their course. More intervention and attempts to bring "democracy" will only make matters worse and create greater problems for the rest of the world.
The Middle East is in some ways like a constantly shifting jigsaw puzzle; once you think you've fit some pieces together you find another piece that doesn't fit anything, and the whole puzzle changes. I'm not sure that any American president (or anyone really) has the answer to it; in a sense our best foreign policy there might be to quash the most extreme elements like ISIS, and beyond that to simply step back and let things take their course. More intervention and attempts to bring "democracy" will only make matters worse and create greater problems for the rest of the world.
92
Yes but then he left the country to al Qaeda and ISIS.
It would have helped clamp down ISIS if Obama did not - in a moment of foreign policy naivete - begin by promising "No Boots on the Ground" instead of letting the ISIS-thugs guess & fear what might follow.
What would you have expected ISIS to do? Not expand - knowing that there was very little to fear from imprecise ("wimpy") drone attacks trying to spare civilians?
What would you have expected ISIS to do? Not expand - knowing that there was very little to fear from imprecise ("wimpy") drone attacks trying to spare civilians?
1
We have never understood that in the Middle East, for many countries, dictators are the way for peace, stability and trade. We hate that and rush into put democrats in power and end up with chaos, instability and regional war and the rise of Terrorist groups. We never learn from out mistakes.
1
The only way to bring an end to Syrian war is for Obama to work with Putin and this takes courage which he is showing. Obama is showing great fortitude in foreign policy in the decline of his presidency.
America is in a difficult position, having armed and funded the non government uprising in Syria, they are now faced with doing a U turn and, forming an alliance with Bashar al-Assad and Russia and all three then that alliance turning on ISIS. They will have to abandon the people that they inspired, trained and armed to overthrow Bashar al-Assad; much as they did the Kurds and Sadam in Iraq, and we all know what Sadam did to the Kurds.
Bashar al-Assad is Shia, he doesn't want Sunni ISIL anywhere near Syria or himself.
Obama is showing a maturity beyond any previous US president.
America is in a difficult position, having armed and funded the non government uprising in Syria, they are now faced with doing a U turn and, forming an alliance with Bashar al-Assad and Russia and all three then that alliance turning on ISIS. They will have to abandon the people that they inspired, trained and armed to overthrow Bashar al-Assad; much as they did the Kurds and Sadam in Iraq, and we all know what Sadam did to the Kurds.
Bashar al-Assad is Shia, he doesn't want Sunni ISIL anywhere near Syria or himself.
Obama is showing a maturity beyond any previous US president.
2
Mr. Putin gets much more play than he deserves. Russia is hardly a world power. It's all about the nukes, and Mr. Putin is hardly a world leader. He is an antagonist that is basically destroying the world, bringing down to his level, which is basically no where. He has nothing to lose, really, except power, and the Russians swoon along with him. We have the same types here that really do not understand the meaning of interdependency and common decency, even in the form of manners. Mr. Putin is a bore in the true sense of the word, and Mr. Obama is a timid aspen leaf, trembling in the breeze. This is our world today. Surely there must be some one with a brain other than the Pope.
1
Shorter Putin speech to the UN:
That idiot (Obama) couldn't even maintain the gains in Iraq that would have kept the Syrian crisis from happening. I had to swoop in and save Obama's backside on Syria once before (see the Red Line) and now it's time to send Obama to timeout while the grownups fix the mess in Syria Obama created.
That idiot (Obama) couldn't even maintain the gains in Iraq that would have kept the Syrian crisis from happening. I had to swoop in and save Obama's backside on Syria once before (see the Red Line) and now it's time to send Obama to timeout while the grownups fix the mess in Syria Obama created.
13
Putin has called the bluff on the ISIS Coalition: Jihadis funded, supported and armed by the US, Turkey, Israel an the Gulf Monarchies.
3
A majority of the Readers' Picks comments criticize Obama's speech. What this means is that those in power, both Democrats and Republicans, treat ordinary Americans with contempt.
3
If you look at all the events during the Obama presidency, Obamacare, Iran Nuclear Deal, debt ceiling, budget showdowns, sequester, Bergdahl, TPP, Syria...you see Obama doing whatever he wishes despite the majority of the American people opposing it.
It was very telling as the opposition to Obamacare reached fever pitch that Mr. Obama was out there bragging "elections have consequences" which meant if you don't like me, vote me out.
Here we go again.
It was very telling as the opposition to Obamacare reached fever pitch that Mr. Obama was out there bragging "elections have consequences" which meant if you don't like me, vote me out.
Here we go again.
7
No matter what side of the political spectrum you are on, you have to admit, Obama looked horrible today on the global stage.
Outclassed, outmaneuvered and outwitted by Putin. Again.
Outclassed, outmaneuvered and outwitted by Putin. Again.
19
I fully agree with you DCBarrister Obama got completely outclassed by Putin and Putin called Obama bluff on the ISIS fight. Putin has exposed Obama for the fraud he is.
7
Putin doesn't have Obama's ideological blinders and the 'tired of war' democratic party lodestone around his neck.
1
Really, do I have to? Would you really prefer to have Putin as your leader??
It's rather obvious that lots of people are working diligently to bring mankind back into a dark and disordered world, isn't it? The more darkness and the more disorder, the better they do.
6
A day of speeches? Reminds me of the classic Seinfeld episode - yada yada yada.
7
A bit hypocritical to jump down Russia/Putin's throat for giving a few planes to Assad when we've been fighting a covert war for three+ years there, no?
Perhaps if we drew concrete military lines, agreed on a common enemy, it would become possible to "degrade and destroy" ISIS, versus dropping missiles out of the sky on who knows who.
Perhaps if we drew concrete military lines, agreed on a common enemy, it would become possible to "degrade and destroy" ISIS, versus dropping missiles out of the sky on who knows who.
25
Nick: Stop, please. You are making far too much sense !
2
So you have no problem with Assad using chemical weapons to kill 200,000 people correct? Do you have a problem with Russia annexing Crimea? Invading Ukraine? Putting troops in Belarus? What about the 2 Soviet spy vessels in Cuba? What about Russia violating our air space and our territorial waters?
A few planes? Can you give me an exact number based on your intelligence on the ground there?
Putin stepped into the void that Obama created with his empty threats to Assad.
Putin will work to defeat ISIS only because it serves his purpose and not because he wants to work with the US. He's a former KGB colonel remember?
A few planes? Can you give me an exact number based on your intelligence on the ground there?
Putin stepped into the void that Obama created with his empty threats to Assad.
Putin will work to defeat ISIS only because it serves his purpose and not because he wants to work with the US. He's a former KGB colonel remember?
Our government is run by a bunch of cripples. It should have been clear to Washington from the very beginning that ISIS is the primary enemy, and not ASAD - he is the lesser of the two evil ( even a 5th grader can reason this). Instead, our government - led by Obama kept insisting otherwise. Now, once again, we are helping Putin shine at center stage because he is 100% correct and the world is now exhausted of our failed policies concerning Syria. Shame. These people in Washington have no idea of what they are doing. They are dissolving this country day-by-day. This is absolutely despicable.
17
The US is in tight alliance with despotic Gulf monarchies. Human rights is just another weapon to be used when convenient to launch Regime Change when and where Washington decides.
2
Sigh. When civil war started in Syria, ISIS did not yet exist.
1
ISIS was always there. The CIA and other spy agencies claimed " well, they came out of nowhere". Now you see what I mean when I say that these people in Washington have no idea of what they are doing? They are sleeping...
1
"He (Obama) pointed to the war in Iraq where, despite sending more than 100,000 troops and spending trillions of dollars, the United States was unsuccessful in stabilizing the country." Talk about spin. Iraq may have been a cruel place under Saddam Hussein, but it was stable. The U.S. destabilized Iraq with George Bush's war built on a lie. We own that mess and the ongoing nightmare it triggered, whose fallout will affect the world for decades.
22
Obama's cut and run had much to do with the latest thing you are trying to play the Blame Bush Card on AGAIN.
4
Barbara, if "we own it", why did Obama cut and run?
1
The "peaceful" protests of "the people" the president cites as the cause of the start of Assad's repressive, violent response was not at all peaceful. It was a violent insurgency by a minority who wanted power for themselves. We seem to support such minority rebellions when they agree with our values (e.g. Egypt, Ukraine) and bomb them, even if supported by a majority when they don't (ISIS, perhaps, the Muslim Brotherhood).
15
Obama needs to focus his efforts on helping AMERICANS. We need help. Quit wasting resources on other countries in general.
Let Putin fight ISIS. Excellent. It won't cost us a dime or a human life.
Let Putin fight ISIS. Excellent. It won't cost us a dime or a human life.
3
Russians are human...
The Middle East has been a battleground for as long as we can read back in history. It has been invaded and will continue to be invaded by foreign powers until it gets its act together. It has three elements against it. Tyranny, backward religions and tribalism, nobody can help it and nobody can change it. It has to come from within which seems to be remotely possible or be obliterated by some geological or cosmic event. I wonder if they will find some way to blame the West for that.
Weak governments are prone to occupation and exploitation. They have nobody but themselves to blame.
Weak governments are prone to occupation and exploitation. They have nobody but themselves to blame.
4
President Obama's call for removal of Assad may be logical but frankly it is none of our business. If we want to work for peace together with Russia and Iran, we should not interpose such nonstarters.
7
Obama gave a narrative on what is happening in many parts of the world: Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Ukraine and the refugee crisis. This is a half truth narrative designed for the consumption of the uninformed or those refuse to be informed and parts of the narrative are outright lies. Except for its NATO allies, the rest of the world (as well as many Americans) is better informed of what the US has done in contributing to the current wars, conflicts, and refugee crisis. Obama would have inspired more respect for himself and the US and confidence in American leadership had he admitted that it was and still is US policies that contribute to death and destruction in the ME.
7
As I recall, it was Israel pushing the U.S. to fire cruise missiles into Syria as they sought to have Obama depose Mr. Assad. So, it doesn't seem that Russia was the source of the devastation of Syria since Mr. Putin was supporting Mr. Assad, and it was more likely Israel with U.S. backing that was the real source of all the havoc which has since ensued.
8
Yup anything so it is somebody's fault other than Obama.
2
So - Obama spewed rhetoric (its getting old) while Putin created a coalition that will share intelligence about ISIS between Iran, Iraq, Syria and Russia.
Now, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Syria and others just need to keep American's focused on things like muslim rights while they continue to reshape the world, while our Nero fiddles.
Now, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Syria and others just need to keep American's focused on things like muslim rights while they continue to reshape the world, while our Nero fiddles.
3
Yep let's make sure we're preoccupied with transgender rights in the military and integrating females into the Rangers and Seals.
I now want to get my news directly from the mouths of the people who give substantive, reasoned, factual, and respectful speeches and/or remarks about relevant issues affecting the American public and me.
I seldom hear the same message from President Obama, among others, that reporters and commentators hear. If I depended upon the media to inform me, I would think that America is going to hell in a hand-basket.
The first words of response to President Obama's UN speech by a well-known commentator today was: "President Obama took a swipe at Donald Trump." What a sorry initial assessment of a sincere, respectful, powerful speech by our president. That commentator totally missed the important messages. Obviously, so many in the media are more concerned about their own ratings and making money for their bosses than informing the public.
I seldom hear the same message from President Obama, among others, that reporters and commentators hear. If I depended upon the media to inform me, I would think that America is going to hell in a hand-basket.
The first words of response to President Obama's UN speech by a well-known commentator today was: "President Obama took a swipe at Donald Trump." What a sorry initial assessment of a sincere, respectful, powerful speech by our president. That commentator totally missed the important messages. Obviously, so many in the media are more concerned about their own ratings and making money for their bosses than informing the public.
6
Excellent point and well said.
I think it is time to create a safe heaven/no-fly zone ASAP. As suggested by Turkey, a no-fly zone would allow Syrians and Irakis a place to go instead of heading for Europe. I don't understand why the Security Council has rejected this idea from Turkey right from the beginning. I'm not a military expert, but my belief is that it shouldn't be too hard to put together now that Russia is jumping on board to destroy ISIS or ISIL, they could patrol the no-fly zone, I guess.
I think the Russians are right on this point : let's get rid of ISIS and bring about peace. Then, we can take care of Bashar al-Assad. When there's a fire it's no time to find out who started it and how ; this is done after the fire is finally extinguished.
I think the Russians are right on this point : let's get rid of ISIS and bring about peace. Then, we can take care of Bashar al-Assad. When there's a fire it's no time to find out who started it and how ; this is done after the fire is finally extinguished.
12
What a pleasure, and a relief, to hear an American leader who is thoughtful, intelligent, and understands why good governance, dialogue and democracy are important -- indeed, are the only kind of politics that lead to peace and progress.
With all the ranting Republicans on their soapboxes lately, and the yammering media flooding the airwaves with mostly superficial commentary meant only to start new schoolyard fights amongst the bullies, it can be embarrassing to turn on the TV. Today was different. How nice to have Obama at the helm.
Too many Americans, it seems, in their belligerence and their fantasy of easy answers, would rather have a leader who is the American equivalent of Putin -- an autocrat, holding power corruptly and in perpetuity, invading countries in order to build up an empire, supporting worthless and ruthless tin-pot tyrants like Bashar Assad. Obama's willingness to engage in diplomacy marks him as the adult in the room. No surprise he's enviously disliked by so many childishly impatient, egocentric and ill-read Americans. I'll take an Obama over a Bush, a Trump, a half-asleep Carson, a ranting Fiorina, any time!
With all the ranting Republicans on their soapboxes lately, and the yammering media flooding the airwaves with mostly superficial commentary meant only to start new schoolyard fights amongst the bullies, it can be embarrassing to turn on the TV. Today was different. How nice to have Obama at the helm.
Too many Americans, it seems, in their belligerence and their fantasy of easy answers, would rather have a leader who is the American equivalent of Putin -- an autocrat, holding power corruptly and in perpetuity, invading countries in order to build up an empire, supporting worthless and ruthless tin-pot tyrants like Bashar Assad. Obama's willingness to engage in diplomacy marks him as the adult in the room. No surprise he's enviously disliked by so many childishly impatient, egocentric and ill-read Americans. I'll take an Obama over a Bush, a Trump, a half-asleep Carson, a ranting Fiorina, any time!
14
Which is why Russia & China keep us off balance. Obama is only words, no action, no decisions. Reactive, a step behind.
3
Guess we were listening to 2 different US Presidents. All I heard Obama say was it wasn't HIS fault.
3
And yet we've been hearing that for 6 long years, when will HE ever take ownership of anything he does. Fall right into his voting history while serving as a jr. senator...............150+ "just present" votes.
Inexperience rearing its ugly head again and again.
Inexperience rearing its ugly head again and again.
At face value, it's a rather boring speech, full of the basic rhetoric. However, spend some time reading everything you can about what is going on in the Middle East using both mainstream media outlets and alternative outlets, and certain words and phrases become dynamic and alive with meaning and undertones. I wish everyone could get this at its fuller value.
3
It is so sad that only after the influx of refugees started hitting central Europe, the world has begun talking about Syria in earnest. And even then it is mostly about ISIS, not the suffering of civilians.
But better late than never!
Mr. Obama knows how to hit the right notes. Hopefully he can stop this pointless war and get rid of Mr. Assad.
But better late than never!
Mr. Obama knows how to hit the right notes. Hopefully he can stop this pointless war and get rid of Mr. Assad.
If Obama wanted to "stop this pointless war" then what has he been doing these past years?. He's only parading out in front of the UN because Russia will step in and clean up the mess in the void left by Obama and his phony "red line".
1
Mercifully the NY Times omitted the majority of Putin's speech to the UN, where the Russian leader humiliated Obama for his arrogance, incompetence and inexperience.
Putin essentially said to the world that the US is to be ignored on major global events because 1) Obama caused this mess, 2) Obama has failed on all fronts to clean it up and 3) Russia is best positioned to work with their allies (not ours) to fix this.
All I can say is wow, Obama is a disaster.
Putin essentially said to the world that the US is to be ignored on major global events because 1) Obama caused this mess, 2) Obama has failed on all fronts to clean it up and 3) Russia is best positioned to work with their allies (not ours) to fix this.
All I can say is wow, Obama is a disaster.
24
Unfortunately Putin is basically right on all counts.
2
So Republicans hate Obama so much they take their talking points from Putin now?
Well, you can't say it's surprising to see the American far-right cheerleading for the Russian far-right, certainly. But i must say, it's a bit weird to see somebody arguing that any time some tinpot dictator goes off about our Prez, the Prez is spozed to be humiliated.
The blame game in Syria is all about posture and scoring points against a rival. But, what if Putin is right about the way forward in Syria. Dont get me wrong, the man has an agenda focused on increasing his own and his country's power and influence. But what if the right way forward is to stabilize Assad and destroy ISIS first? After all ISIS is the greatest threat to stability in the region and Iraq, Iran, and, yes, maybe even a stable Syria will be essential to eliminating it. If the Russians want to spend men and money defeating ISIS do we really want to rush in to stop them? If they succeed they inherit some of the problems we've been dealing with for decades. If they fail their influence will be diminished and Putin damaged as the Soviet Union was by Afghanistan.
3
Obama gave an excellent speech, presenting a forceful and coherent argument. Putin gave a very weak speech -- so weak, I actually found myself asking if he had had a stroke in the pat year, as his diction was unclear, his lips slurred and stumbled over some words and his tongue lisped, as if it had lost its nimbleness. I have listened to Putin's speeches (in Russian) over the course of all his years on the world's stage; this was not the old, energetic, lucid and eloquent Putin in command of facts and concepts, who writes and delivers his own material. While undoubtedly there are those who are betting the store on his tenacity & ability to stay the course in Moscow, he had surprisingly little to say; his tone was petulant, smirking and defensive. The lies have never sounded so pathetic as today. Be careful if you are thinking about making some kind of bargain with this Putin: he will be good at holding forth in a rambling way at some other diplomatic talking shop -- he will not be able to deliver. Not on promises, not on pledges, not on expectations.
1
So exactly what did President Obama achieve attacking Putin in public in front of the UN. Even worse that Putin spoke right after him. Rather than what he did President Obama could have avoided pointedly condemning Putin in this way and been more indirect and general in his comments saying for example " too many countries that could use their influence for good rather create conflict." Everyone would have known what Obama meant.
As disappointing as it it may be this is the real world and we need Putin and Russia's cooperation to bring any kind of peace and stability to the Middle East. True leaders deal with the reality of power to achieve useful goals and put aside the fantasy they prefer no matter how much better it would be if it cannot be achieved.
As disappointing as it it may be this is the real world and we need Putin and Russia's cooperation to bring any kind of peace and stability to the Middle East. True leaders deal with the reality of power to achieve useful goals and put aside the fantasy they prefer no matter how much better it would be if it cannot be achieved.
5
What Obama achieved is what Americans constantly demand from their leaders: straight talk. Obama should not have named names because . . . because what? At the beginning of the UN session it was announced that Russia has made an intelligence sharing deal with Iraq regarding the Syria conflict without telling America. With that kind of behavior going on, what exactly is the point of not naming names in order to avoid offending them? How much more uncooperative could they be? Not much.
The problem is as you say, it is ALL TALK.
The UN is a complete waste of time and space. They have accomlished little and have done nothing to prove that they should even still be in existence.
7
Wow I guess all these leaders are brand new on the job and not at all responsible for the messes they describe getting worse and worse. How naive do they think people are. There is a reason why only certain types enter politics while the rest of us make an honest living.
3
Putin is right. The US policy, designed by our so special ally to get rid of a secular ruler who happened to be aligned with Iran is a total failure. We should be happy to hand the ISIS problem to Russia/Iran and walk away.
17
Good morning, Obama already has accomplished that mission.
Republicans/Putin/Trump/Fidel Castro/Fox News/Limbaugh - All the world's problems before Obama: Obama's fault. All the world's problems during the Obama Presidency: Obama's fault. All the world's problems after Obama: Obama's fault.
2
Reminds me of Bush.
3
Obama has been blaming George Bush for the last 8 years, including recently. How do you get so blindly partisan?
1
Obama's presidency: democrat's fault. Obama's military policy: democrat's fault. Obama's need to make such a speech: democrat's fault.
1
I see from the comments that some are still so freaked out by the black President, still so unwilling to notice actual history, still so stuck in 1954, that they're cheerleading for the ugly likes of Vladimir Putin.
i'd ask just what it is that the President is spozed to be doing to make the goblins go way, mommy, and turn the Mideast back into happy, happy bunnyland--but now as always, the answer is "stuff. He should do stuff."
i'd ask just what it is that the President is spozed to be doing to make the goblins go way, mommy, and turn the Mideast back into happy, happy bunnyland--but now as always, the answer is "stuff. He should do stuff."
11
There is not a single reference in the entirely of the comments to the president being black. If you are fixated on his race, please identify this as your own fixation, rather than projecting it on others.
1
I have read the same comments you did and definitely came to a very different conclusion. While some people are upset about Obama's incompetence and inability to "fix" the Middle East, I didn't read one comment that referred to the President's race. Why not just take what people say without assuming that their issues with President Obama's policies are about his race.
Cheerleading no. But it is impossible to not see which leader is in charge and which one doesn't even know what in charge means. Obama drew a "red line" remember and then when Assad crossed it he did nothing showing that he is weak, feckless and foolish and you think the rest of the world doesn't notice.
1
Indeed nothing but death and destruction all over the Middle East. The Pope, wisely, left New York in a hurry and Putin, wisely, came to the rescue.
3
So, Obama believes in diplomacy now, but immediately starts by calling the kettle black. The cognitive dissonance is so strong, I am impressed at his ability to speak the words without laughing. I won't even get into the hypocrisy of criticizing the "...powers who want to ignore international rules..."! Even in the one area where Obama got it right, Obama is too feeble to even get the embargo of Cuba lifted. This is the president of double-speak and squandered opportunity. It would be laughable, were it not so sad.
8
Say what you want about Obama, but I truly lay all this at the feet of George W. Bush and his cronies. They smashed open a hornet's nest. Most of Obama's presidency has been all about cleaning up the messes left by an incompetent predecessor.
23
The only element that is bothersome about the President's speech is the implicit comment that diplomacy starts in America.
Mr. Putin may be an unattractive jingoist. But in the case of Syria, his predictions have been closer to the fact than many of ours. Not that the President's policy was naive. He correctly worried about arming the wrong folks. Turned out to be a reasonable concern. He approached the problem as one that required multi-national cooperation. Seems correct again. He identified ISIS as the most dangerous enemy. Right again.
So what is wrong with letting Russia take the lead in this effort and negotiating for the few things we really need as a great power. Stability in Iraq. A lessening of tensions with Israel. Greater independence for the Kurds. Further reduction in the forces ripping Lebanon apart. And a solution in Syria that creates a more benign government in the region; one that can welcome back the tide of refugees it has loosed on the world.
Let another power make the heavy lift.
Mr. Putin may be an unattractive jingoist. But in the case of Syria, his predictions have been closer to the fact than many of ours. Not that the President's policy was naive. He correctly worried about arming the wrong folks. Turned out to be a reasonable concern. He approached the problem as one that required multi-national cooperation. Seems correct again. He identified ISIS as the most dangerous enemy. Right again.
So what is wrong with letting Russia take the lead in this effort and negotiating for the few things we really need as a great power. Stability in Iraq. A lessening of tensions with Israel. Greater independence for the Kurds. Further reduction in the forces ripping Lebanon apart. And a solution in Syria that creates a more benign government in the region; one that can welcome back the tide of refugees it has loosed on the world.
Let another power make the heavy lift.
11
The great enemy of the 21st century is the failed state. The evidence is pretty clear, and President Obama is correct -- the world is suffering greater disorder, the future will bring greater disorder, and disorder can't be stopped by drones or boots on the ground.
We've not developed effective ways to deal with the two major causes of disorder, greed and corruption. Our biggest institution that traditionally handles threats to our security, the Department of Defense, is ineffective.
One thing is for certain, our failed domestic politics is no way to confront the threats posed by a world of great dysfunction.
We've not developed effective ways to deal with the two major causes of disorder, greed and corruption. Our biggest institution that traditionally handles threats to our security, the Department of Defense, is ineffective.
One thing is for certain, our failed domestic politics is no way to confront the threats posed by a world of great dysfunction.
4
Gimmie Shelter, the Department of Defense, as is most of the US government, is about greed and corruption. The Iraq invasion was an excuse to steal from the US Treasury, which, by the way was finally in a surplus. We are now deeply in debt. The money went to the rich in this country.
As Eisenhower said, beware the military industrial complex. I would add, beware a government in which the buying of politicians is completely legal.
The only difference between the US and these failed states you refer to is that we have legalized corruption.
As Eisenhower said, beware the military industrial complex. I would add, beware a government in which the buying of politicians is completely legal.
The only difference between the US and these failed states you refer to is that we have legalized corruption.
Assad is only able to do this with the need for Russia to maintain power in the region. Meanwhile Global Warming may end the Earth. Congratulations human beings. Greed, power, religious fanaticism and hatred may be the end of all of us.
2
haha this is exactly Obama's problem. He's fixated on global warming while the world, literally, burns.
President Obama can't say he understands the situation in Ukraine as if the US was merely a disinterested spectator. Assad is repsonsible for instigating the carnage that is now plaging Syria. Obviously Assad's fall would be a major loss of prestige to Russia. The USs support of Saudi Arabia is incomprehensible. The Saudi's are the mostt repressive aggressive society in the region with a penchant for funding terrorists. Turkey and Isreal just add to the mix of mendaciious unhelpful states. Iran could be a real wild card for the US but Obama spends so much time bashing Iran for public consumption that he may drive to persist in supporting Assad.
4
Dictators like Putin don't have to and never justify anything to anybody...they do what they want to do, right or wrong, until either they choose to change, die or are overthrown.
6
Wasn't Putin elected??????Like twice
Dictators are not elected by huge majorities and supported by popular acclaim. The term you should use for Putin is demagogue.
Whether in Iraq to begin with or Libya or Syria or Yemen most recently, these episodes of insurgent violence in the Middle East have repeatedly been caused by or even supported by the United States. Libya was not the fault of Russia, Syria was not the fault of Russia, Yemen is not the fault of Russia. That is simply the truth, and I and other readers should at least understand this even if we cannot change United States foreign policy.
26
UN general assembly session is really a talking shop.
Nothing concrete will emerge that improve the
chaotic situation in the world. The problem is
the division in world body politic. US can't criticize
or recommend any action if its ally indulges in
atrocities while it is quick to criticize the adversary.
Obama pointed fingers at the usual culprits-Russia,
China and Iran. He said nothing about Saudis committing
atrocities against the civilians. The news report today
describes the killing of 70 civilians of a wedding party
in Yemen by our moderate ally-Saudi Arabia.
There is no condemnation. Oh well, they buy military
hardware to keep the production lines of our arms
factories humming, increase oil production when
demand is down to pressurize Russia and let us
cycle their surplus petro dollars through our esteemed
banks. No wonder the double standard in our policy
is clealry perceived and lessen the influence despite the popularity of hollywood films and the music.
Nothing concrete will emerge that improve the
chaotic situation in the world. The problem is
the division in world body politic. US can't criticize
or recommend any action if its ally indulges in
atrocities while it is quick to criticize the adversary.
Obama pointed fingers at the usual culprits-Russia,
China and Iran. He said nothing about Saudis committing
atrocities against the civilians. The news report today
describes the killing of 70 civilians of a wedding party
in Yemen by our moderate ally-Saudi Arabia.
There is no condemnation. Oh well, they buy military
hardware to keep the production lines of our arms
factories humming, increase oil production when
demand is down to pressurize Russia and let us
cycle their surplus petro dollars through our esteemed
banks. No wonder the double standard in our policy
is clealry perceived and lessen the influence despite the popularity of hollywood films and the music.
6
Why are Saudis fighting in Yemen? Because of Iran, because Yemen has been destabilized by Iran, and because Yemen sits right on the Saudi Arabian's southern border -- that until now was hardly fortified at all. Probably, in due course, the Saudi royal family will have to spend money building one of these new-fangled walls to keep out subversive elements from Yemen... You bewail the 70 dead in Yemen today, but what about the 69 young soldiers who were shamefully massacred while praying, just a fortnight ago, by Yemeni Houthis?
As King Abdullah II of Jordan said today at the UN, in one of the best speeches I have ever heard: it is up to all the moderates to push back against all extremists. In the ME today, Saudi Arabia is a moderate state, whereas the totalitarian theocracy of Iran is certainly an extremist state.
As King Abdullah II of Jordan said today at the UN, in one of the best speeches I have ever heard: it is up to all the moderates to push back against all extremists. In the ME today, Saudi Arabia is a moderate state, whereas the totalitarian theocracy of Iran is certainly an extremist state.
The third world war will be in the middle east due to Obama's policies and lack of leadership. It will be a nuclear war as a result of Obama's Iranian agreement.
Elections do have consequences as President Obama has reminded us. We will all pay the price.
Elections do have consequences as President Obama has reminded us. We will all pay the price.
3
I pray to God you are wrong.
If there is a war in the Middle East, let the inhabitants of the area fight it. Israel has nuclear weapons and a much talked about military, let them put it to use and keep Americans out until we are directly threatened, not threatened by proxy.
The sky is falling, the sky is falling.
Heads you win, tails I lose.
If you're right, you get to say "I told you so."
If you're wrong, which you will be, you can attribute to anyone other than President Obama.
Unfortunately for the sky is falling crowd, the world is not black and white. It's stupendously complex, and, as others have pointed out, dictators - and Donald Trump - are accountable to no one. President Obama, on the other hand, has to consider the American people, the Congress, and, unlike his predecessor, history. Unless the chicken little group is willing to be among the first troops in, along with the children of Congresspeople, then sit down, be quiet, and let the adults make the important decisions.
Heads you win, tails I lose.
If you're right, you get to say "I told you so."
If you're wrong, which you will be, you can attribute to anyone other than President Obama.
Unfortunately for the sky is falling crowd, the world is not black and white. It's stupendously complex, and, as others have pointed out, dictators - and Donald Trump - are accountable to no one. President Obama, on the other hand, has to consider the American people, the Congress, and, unlike his predecessor, history. Unless the chicken little group is willing to be among the first troops in, along with the children of Congresspeople, then sit down, be quiet, and let the adults make the important decisions.
2
Yes, Syria is a sad situation, but just one of the many in the world. "Mr. Ban said 100 million civilians are in need of aid, for which the United Nations has pleaded for $20 billion. He rebuked the rich for not giving more, giving examples: One third of what the organization needs for Syria and Iraq has been received and for Gambia, whose children are among the hungriest in the world, nothing has come in." The world needs to focus on the root problem here and find solutions for the global problems of inequity and poverty. We are being reactive (threatening war) rather than actively fostering peace and prosperity among the most needy.
4
Since dependence on foreign oil is no longer the primary driver of the American economy Obama very wisely choose to move away from a foreign policy based on using military might to protect the oil interest in the Middle East. This means letting the indigenous people of soverign countries determined their own form of self governance without the imposition of puppet dictators to repress dissent toward Western interest. Revolution is never neat or tidy nor predictable in its outcomes. What is predictable and problematic for corporations is that it creates economic uncertainty and that is the real problem.
3
Correct even though Obama fought and continues to fight U.S. energy independence.
If only Obama would. His decision to continue drone strikes in Pakistan, training and more bombing in Afghanistan, bombing in Iraq, training "moderates" in Syria, plus the quiet misdeeds we can be sure are going in in Ukraine, Iran, etc., tell a different story.
If conservatives were in charge right now, how many wars would we be directly involved in with combat troops?
Syria/Iraq?
Iran?
Ukraine?
Should we take on China as well over those islands?
How about N. Korea and its nukes that it is not giving up?
Maybe Cuba, since 50 years of embargo haven't worked, instead of establishing diplomatic relations, may be we should try Bay of Pigs again?
Where else?
Conservative dogma tells us that a war is always the best solution, why have the most powerful military in the world if you don't use it, and that negotiated solutions are always cowardice.
Gee, that philosophy worked out so well in Vietnam and Iraq didn't it?
The reality is that the world is far better off with the policies pursued by Pres. Obama than those pursued by Pres. Bush.
Syria/Iraq?
Iran?
Ukraine?
Should we take on China as well over those islands?
How about N. Korea and its nukes that it is not giving up?
Maybe Cuba, since 50 years of embargo haven't worked, instead of establishing diplomatic relations, may be we should try Bay of Pigs again?
Where else?
Conservative dogma tells us that a war is always the best solution, why have the most powerful military in the world if you don't use it, and that negotiated solutions are always cowardice.
Gee, that philosophy worked out so well in Vietnam and Iraq didn't it?
The reality is that the world is far better off with the policies pursued by Pres. Obama than those pursued by Pres. Bush.
19
Only 250,000 dead so far in Syria under the Obama do nothing policy. How many dead so far this year in Iraq, Yemen, Nigeria? American soldiers may not be getting killed under our weakness policy but the world is surely suffering.
5
Do you have any evidence that a more active U.S. policy could have prevented any of these tragedies, or made them less deadly? How many died in Iraq after the U.S. did commit troops? Syria is not Kosovo, nor is Yemen or Iraq.
That war is always the best solution and negotiated solutions are always cowardice are not "conservative dogma". You're conflating conservatism with the reactionary GOP - who are not, by definition, conservatives.
Obama stands, alone, embarrassed, and embattled, at the UN. He stands there flatfooted by Putin again, this time over the alliance against ISIS the US has rather pointedly been left out of. One of the few cheerleaders left seems to be the times, hopping in with the "forceful defense" and the "rebuke" language.
Still, Obama stands alone, symbolic of the international isolation of the United States unmatched since the Carter years.
Still, Obama stands alone, symbolic of the international isolation of the United States unmatched since the Carter years.
17
I case you missed it the US was one of the key countries negotiating with Iran to prevent them from developing a nuclear weapon. Not sure where you're getting your opinions from, but they are not based on fact.
As others have written, Mr. Obama's foreign policies differ only in degree from those of his disastrous predecessor. Like President Bush, Obama believes that America is an exceptional nation, whose God-given mission is to bring democracy to the rest of the world, even countries that are far from ready for it. Hence, the overthrow of Quadaffi in Libya, the attempted ouster of Assad in Syria, and the destabilization of the former Ukrainian government, which, ironically, was democratically elected.
Unfortunately, with the possible exception of Bernie Sanders, there is no other candidate on the Democratic or Republican side, who seems willing to alter these policies. Instead, they seem eager to ramp them up.
Unfortunately, with the possible exception of Bernie Sanders, there is no other candidate on the Democratic or Republican side, who seems willing to alter these policies. Instead, they seem eager to ramp them up.
29
We help turn Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen into a boiling river of blood, destroying the countries--then have the nerve to act like we're helping the situation. I am ashamed of America's leaders.
28
A boiling river of blood that moved into a dry riverbed of American presidential abandonment and I'll raise you one...that began WWIII.
Obama projects weakness...which is just what his base wants.
13
It is not "weak" to refuse taunts from bullies, nor is it "weak" to bomb indiscriminately. Weakness is the inability to perform a task, such as understanding the negative consequences of interfering in lands where you don't understand what the locals want.
Obama warned of "major powers that want to ignore international rules and impose order through force of military power."
That does seem to be a perfect description of the US for many years now.
That does seem to be a perfect description of the US for many years now.
80
Pathetic speech by Obama. And I'm a supporter of his, voted both times. How did his regime change work out in Lybia? Or attempted regime chnage in Syria? Or his hailing Morsi as a paragon of Democracy?
At least it wasn't as emebararsing as Ban's, that we in the West owe a "life of happiness" to Middle Eastern Muslim migrants out of our taxes.
At least it wasn't as emebararsing as Ban's, that we in the West owe a "life of happiness" to Middle Eastern Muslim migrants out of our taxes.
17
Wait, you voted for Obama?
Ouch.
I respected my race and MLK's legacy too much to trust Obama with my vote.
Ouch.
I respected my race and MLK's legacy too much to trust Obama with my vote.
3
"The objective was to make a more pliable, grateful atmosphere for western oil interests and Israeli domination. "
I agree with most of what you said until you through Israel into the equation. Israel doesn't want that kind of domination. They just want to exist peacefully without having to deal with terrorists who want to drive them into the sea.
It's a matter of self preservation and they're certainly not interested in any other country but their own.
I agree with most of what you said until you through Israel into the equation. Israel doesn't want that kind of domination. They just want to exist peacefully without having to deal with terrorists who want to drive them into the sea.
It's a matter of self preservation and they're certainly not interested in any other country but their own.
4
Israel ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the West Bank by building Jewish settlements and maintaining 500 check points throughout the West Bank is a matter of self preservation?
1
The thieves who steal always want to live peacefully - as long as they get to keep what they stole.
You got to love it.... Blame others for the mess we started. Isis, Iraq, and even Syria, can be laid at our door steps. Isis and Iraq fall on prior administration and their will to totally disregard diplomacy and international law. Syria, falls on Obama who backed out of what would have been a combined effort by the french and american military to oust Assad, back when said dictator used chemical weapons. As for the refugee crisis comments, aren't we building a wall to separate ourselves from Mexico much like the hungarians? But hey this is politics as usual, and there is no reason to go further to see why are democracies and our politicians are failing around the world and why the number one political party in the world is abstention!
19
I agree with many of your points but you are going to give Russia a pass on this? Really?
3
What I love, or really don not, is how some can be so simplistic in their thinking with always the US as the bad guy. The West did not create ISIS. The US did not create ISIS. That evil came out of hiding from the dark caves of radical islam. Its a very old beast and one that is not created by outside forces but rather its born of perverted internal voices inside some Muslim hearts.
6
Whatever our mistakes, and I believe like you that both the Bush and Obama administrations have made many in different ways - the ultimate and bulk of the blame lies on the doorstep of the murderers, would be conquerors and a culture where the penalty for a difference in opinion is too often slaughter. It is not us nor Russia either. No one made Saddam invade Kuwait. No one made ISIS burn, behead and destroy their own culture. We have handled it barely, but there is the possibility of redemption for our mistakes and even transgressions; none for their murders.
I am sorry to say this as an American. But the US has contributed most to this breakdown of international order and instability. Their attempt to overthrow Assad is the latest example. Previous disasters being the regime changes in Iraq and Libya.
33
Just who in the White House was pushing for regime change in Libya and Syria? Was this really Obama's idea and his initiative or was this follow-through on the neocon crusade to remake the Middle East? He is stuck trying salvage this foreign policy, while having to pointedly ignore the humanitarian disaster that is the fallout of this recklessly violent ideology of regime change in the Middle East. And why does the media whistle the same tune?
Also, while dictatorships are indeed undesirable, it is illogically hypocritical that the US supports dictatorial theocracies (i.e.: Saudi Arabia, etc...) while seeking to topple secular governments. Why does religion or monarchy make human rights violations more politically palatable and acceptable?
Also, while dictatorships are indeed undesirable, it is illogically hypocritical that the US supports dictatorial theocracies (i.e.: Saudi Arabia, etc...) while seeking to topple secular governments. Why does religion or monarchy make human rights violations more politically palatable and acceptable?
26
Obama is well into his second term. At some point his failure to pursue a different policy makes him just as culpable as the Republicans.
1
How can we expect President Obama to represent The United States interests abroad when we can't agree as a nation what that looks like?
4
Judging by the collapsing stockmarkets world wide today it is obvious that the common man is not impressed here.
4
"The common man" does not play the stock market. Wall Street investment bankers do. Wall Street is DEAD. We need a "New Deal".
6
The common man is not a stock holder. We need to address wanton greed... And humans have to learn to cooperate...They also have to learn to how important it is to stop wanton procreation...Burgeoning human populations drive every issue further from resolution.
Like the U.N., itself, Obama's name dropping rant, even in triplicate, is hardly forceful. NYT, please, either photograph the effects of his force or quit misusing the term.
4
It takes a special kind of person to be president of the U.S. Someone that is able to shamelessly rebuke other nations for their violent ways, while droning civilians into dust in any number of countries. Who can sell weapons to Saudi Arabia and watch them attack Yemen unilaterally (killing civilians), yet can, at the same time, criticize Syria for their bombing. Who can talk about international rules - and ignore the torture crimes of not only Bush/Cheney but many who still serve in his own administration, as well as the unprovoked attack on Iraq. Who speaks about territorial integrity, but through his own brilliant actions turned Libya into a chaotic disaster, with many civilian deaths, courtesy of the U.S. military-industrial complex. I could go on and on. Obama talks about dictatorships, yet fully supports Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
I understand that for a great many Americans, it's easy as pie to listen to him and see things in very black-or-white terms - it's a lot easier that way than having to deal with complexity and contradiction and complete cognitive dissonance. But I would imagine for most of the people in the audience in the U.N. (surely as corrupt as their United States counterpart) - this must be a big joke. How do they keep from laughing.
For the U.S. to actually have some moral authority in the world, it might be a good idea to perhaps start behaving morally.
I understand that for a great many Americans, it's easy as pie to listen to him and see things in very black-or-white terms - it's a lot easier that way than having to deal with complexity and contradiction and complete cognitive dissonance. But I would imagine for most of the people in the audience in the U.N. (surely as corrupt as their United States counterpart) - this must be a big joke. How do they keep from laughing.
For the U.S. to actually have some moral authority in the world, it might be a good idea to perhaps start behaving morally.
86
What else would we expect but the standard Liberal Progressive diatribe of Chamberlain and Woodrow Wilson. He should have titled his speech: "Can't we all just get along?" His solution to world problems dealing with terrorists and tyrants is diplomacy (which never works except to prolong the disaster or give the enemy a better foothold before the next President has to clean it up and millions of lives are lost in the process).
How he can even have the audacity to show his face at the United Nothing and discuss Syria and point fingers ? It only speaks to his blindness and arrogance. If he is not the cause of the Syrian fragmentation and societal collapse, he is certainly not part of the cure. He has given Russia and Hezbollah a huge hold in Syria; ISIS is now thoroughly embedded. And his answer is to bomb a couple of ISIS chicken coups and talk (oh yeah, and give Iran the bomb). And then open the doors wider to Muslim immigration. Remember who these people are; they are losing side in the never ending Islamic wars against each other.
How he can even have the audacity to show his face at the United Nothing and discuss Syria and point fingers ? It only speaks to his blindness and arrogance. If he is not the cause of the Syrian fragmentation and societal collapse, he is certainly not part of the cure. He has given Russia and Hezbollah a huge hold in Syria; ISIS is now thoroughly embedded. And his answer is to bomb a couple of ISIS chicken coups and talk (oh yeah, and give Iran the bomb). And then open the doors wider to Muslim immigration. Remember who these people are; they are losing side in the never ending Islamic wars against each other.
7
Eventually, Assad will be dead.
So will Khomenei.
So will Putin.
Let's pave the way for a better world without them and their influence.
So will Khomenei.
So will Putin.
Let's pave the way for a better world without them and their influence.
10
But I gather you expect Obama to be hanging in there in 2140.
5
Difference being, the other are not obligated to leave (Khomenei,Assad ) or change the rules when it's time to go (Putin).
Leading from behind again...
1
Putin, Assad, are thugs and criminals not unlike George W. Bush and Cheney. They all should be on trial for murder. We all know that is a fantasy. It will never happen. At least Obama can call out Putin for what he is. I don't think he cares one bit. Sociopaths and psychopaths are blessed with this gift.
2
I'm curious as to why you find Obama blameless whilst convicting Bush. Mr. Obama has bombed (deep breath) Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia ... a record certainly unmatched by his predecessor.
3
Don't confuse them with logic.
So are magical thinkers.
Obama: it doesn't matter how the Syrian war started, it matters that there are now over 100 opposition groups, not counting ISIS. and the reality is UN rules, international diplomacy and elections are not going to end the war. The war will only end when a ruler has the organization, police and military to annihilate the myriad of violent armed opposition groups.
1
We must have hope that this dialog will reveal the strength of human intelligence gathered in numbers, allowing honesty for admitting our individual mistakes and unrealistic beliefs. I heard Putin's talk partially, and believe he has has asked for an honest dialog which is long overdue.
If fanatical factions cannot be tamed with dialog, we are forced to use the justifiable evil of monotony: it's called violence.
If fanatical factions cannot be tamed with dialog, we are forced to use the justifiable evil of monotony: it's called violence.
1
For those who decry Obama's handling of the Syrian crisis, do you honestly think all that is happening would have happened if Bush had not opened the Pandora's Box in the Middle East. The wrong country was invaded, it's secular strongman, Saddam Hussain was toppled and killed, another strongman Gaddaffi was killed, and now another secular strongman Assad is on our toppling list. I am definitely not defending these monsters but at least there was relative peace and prosperity for their people and Middle East as a whole was stable. Just looking at the disparate countries now in turmoil, shows how wrong we were in assessment of the situation in the Middle East. For all the displacements, murders, human misery, mayhem and chaos in The ME the countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan) which should have been our focus has quietly faded away. Insurgency rose everywhere and the Taliban morphed into the deadly ISIS. In countries, where the strongmen had kept these possible insurgencies under wraps became spawning grounds for these murderous thugs. Meanwhile the country, Saudi Arabia which is directly responsible for spreading the toxic seeds and governed by an extreme regime, which openly violates human rights, demeaning women gets our support. Seven years of Obama you say. The fact is even two or three generations of humans cannot overcome the toxicity Bush and his cronies unleashed.
36
""The fact is even two or three generations of humans cannot overcome the toxicity Bush and his cronies unleashed.""
Yes, we know.... you'll still be blaming Bush 20 years from now, while desperately papering over the same crimes committed by Team Blue. we already know of how shallow your actual foreign policy sincerity is.
Yes, we know.... you'll still be blaming Bush 20 years from now, while desperately papering over the same crimes committed by Team Blue. we already know of how shallow your actual foreign policy sincerity is.
Chaos has always lurked just beneath the surface in the Middle East, held in check by the oppression and brutality of tyrants. The removal of Saddam Hussein unleashed the chaos in Iraq, empowered Iran, and encouraged people in Libya and Syria to rebel against their own tyrants. Add radical Islamists who want to take political control to the mix, and you get the chaos we see today. As Obama suggested, the root causes are too deep and complex for the US to resolve alone. Americans should appreciate his prudence.
15
I will as soon as he is.
Obama once again standing on the right side of history, asking anyone with an ounce of sense, compassion, or intelligence to join him.
Meanwhile, the right-wingers in America, along with their moral allies like Putin, China, right-wing hardliners in Iran, and fundamentalist Islamists throughout the middle east, continue jumping up and down in outrage that someone would have the gall to speak the truth.
Its sad that so many so-called conservatives are so blinded by racism they cant even support their own President when he is clearly the greatest leader of the modern age.
It is an amazing time right now, with Obama in the White House and Francis on the Papal throne. Two of the most intelligent, ethical, honest, and compassionate leaders in history leading two of the largest and most powerful institutions in history.
Meanwhile, the right-wingers in America, along with their moral allies like Putin, China, right-wing hardliners in Iran, and fundamentalist Islamists throughout the middle east, continue jumping up and down in outrage that someone would have the gall to speak the truth.
Its sad that so many so-called conservatives are so blinded by racism they cant even support their own President when he is clearly the greatest leader of the modern age.
It is an amazing time right now, with Obama in the White House and Francis on the Papal throne. Two of the most intelligent, ethical, honest, and compassionate leaders in history leading two of the largest and most powerful institutions in history.
119
I have more than an ounce of those things and yet I disagree with much of what you wrote and most of Mr Obama's policies.
Normally I wouldn't take the time to respond to someone who absurdly blames criticism of the president on racism (presidents before Mr Obama were never challenged and only given total support by those who were ideologically opposed to them? In what world), but your comment deserves extra attention.
I can assure you that neither Putin, China, Iran nor Islamofacists have an ally in 99.99% of American conservatives, moral or otherwise. To state as much is ludicrous. While they may disagree on Obama's methods or policies, surely there is no love lost for those entities.
On the contrary to what you believe so fervently, I find Mr Obama's presidential leadership the poorest I've seen in my lifetime. He is petty, possesses and overabundance of idealism, favors form-over-substance, is thin-skinned, and lacks resolve to make really hard decisions on foreign policy. He would very much rather speak about something, which he is, admittedly, very successful at, than take a stand. Unfortunately, mere words do nothing. Never mind his soft spot for Muslims (understandable but oddly manifested), underlying his left-leaning ideological dogma is a strange, overly-critical view of the US which is unsettling for an American head of state. So while I agree in principle with much of what he brought to the UN, I am doubtful his actions will ever live up to the rhetoric.
Normally I wouldn't take the time to respond to someone who absurdly blames criticism of the president on racism (presidents before Mr Obama were never challenged and only given total support by those who were ideologically opposed to them? In what world), but your comment deserves extra attention.
I can assure you that neither Putin, China, Iran nor Islamofacists have an ally in 99.99% of American conservatives, moral or otherwise. To state as much is ludicrous. While they may disagree on Obama's methods or policies, surely there is no love lost for those entities.
On the contrary to what you believe so fervently, I find Mr Obama's presidential leadership the poorest I've seen in my lifetime. He is petty, possesses and overabundance of idealism, favors form-over-substance, is thin-skinned, and lacks resolve to make really hard decisions on foreign policy. He would very much rather speak about something, which he is, admittedly, very successful at, than take a stand. Unfortunately, mere words do nothing. Never mind his soft spot for Muslims (understandable but oddly manifested), underlying his left-leaning ideological dogma is a strange, overly-critical view of the US which is unsettling for an American head of state. So while I agree in principle with much of what he brought to the UN, I am doubtful his actions will ever live up to the rhetoric.
I voted for Obama twice but laughed out loud when you wrote that he is one "of the most intelligent, ethical, honest, and compassionate leaders in history." Are you kidding me? Do you know history at all? And please check his record on drone strikes before you call him compassionate. The guy and his advisors have had a train wreck of a foreign policy in the Middle East, and his ridiculous wavering on Syria a few years ago has helped exacerbate the current disaster there.
2
It might be nice if he admitted America's complicity in creating a lot of the mess. But whatever the warts, the US is still the country of hope. It needs to try to live up to that ideal. And it's difficult.
12
Ugh. "This started" three years ago when Obama drew his infamous "red line" and failed to support Syrian rebels against Assad when they still had a chance at overcoming his brutal regime. Too little too late from this US president.
9
Google would tell you that wasn't in 2012. Try to keep up!
The less, the better, where Obama is concerned.
Stubborn, irrationality, narrow mindness, loss of leadership is the resolve of president Obama and EU leaders that Syrian civil war can end only if president of Syria Bashar al-Assad is removed. Obama/EU leaders did not learn of their colossal mistake as Vladimir Putin pointed out: ISIS is the only organization that will replace Bashar al Assad if toppled. Assad has the infrastructure, police and leadership necessary to settle Syrian refugees in their homes and resurrect Syrian economy. It is cheaper than bringing a million refugees to EU and US.
6
In other words everyone is to blame but Obama. One might ask how removing Assad would have a better result than removing Hussein or how it would even be done? Obama forswears the use of force to the elevation of diplomacy but they are two sides of the same coin. If you cannot back up what you say with the threat of force, who will listen to you? Certainly Assad did not but only doubled down when Obama drew a red line on the shifting sands of diplomacy but then failed to follow through thereby creating an opportunity for Putin, who acts first and then talks. Now Obama lectures the UN General Assembly on the value of diplomacy though he himself is clueless on how to exercise it.
7
Saw part of this speech, and it was a good one, and I think the President is mostly right. The world needs to pull together in several ways, like it or not. Primarily the environment should be the concern, because without it we all die. That is, if it changes enough, it'll eliminate humanity, and we'd rather avoid that.
Secondarily it's vital to limit population growth, by as humane means as possible. Once humane means are exhausted, inhumane means will need to be used, because overpopulation is the basis for all the problems humanity faces.
Tertiarily, it's going to be necessary to eliminate fundamentalism. This will require eliminating the most dangerous fundamentalists first, like the Daesh and the taliban and such murderous barbarians. I'm sorry about this but they just all have to be turned into fertilizer, it's not possible to turn them civilized and they can't be left alive to do as they please. Anyone who jaunts off to Syria to join them must die also, and this will help out with problem #2 above.
The main thing is that the world needs to band together and work on this jointly, leaving out all the psychotic little dictatorships which will also need to be done away with, like Assad's unholy reign. We, the civilized world, can do something about the barbarians, but only if we act decisively and pragmatically. Issuing warnings and such will not work.
Good luck all, it's iffy whether humanity will make it through the next century or two, but there's hope.
Secondarily it's vital to limit population growth, by as humane means as possible. Once humane means are exhausted, inhumane means will need to be used, because overpopulation is the basis for all the problems humanity faces.
Tertiarily, it's going to be necessary to eliminate fundamentalism. This will require eliminating the most dangerous fundamentalists first, like the Daesh and the taliban and such murderous barbarians. I'm sorry about this but they just all have to be turned into fertilizer, it's not possible to turn them civilized and they can't be left alive to do as they please. Anyone who jaunts off to Syria to join them must die also, and this will help out with problem #2 above.
The main thing is that the world needs to band together and work on this jointly, leaving out all the psychotic little dictatorships which will also need to be done away with, like Assad's unholy reign. We, the civilized world, can do something about the barbarians, but only if we act decisively and pragmatically. Issuing warnings and such will not work.
Good luck all, it's iffy whether humanity will make it through the next century or two, but there's hope.
3
“dangerous currents risk pulling us back in a dark more disordered world.”
Diplomacy without the genuine threat of force is little more than chit-chat. The President has proven he has no stomach for genuine diplomacy since he drew his infamous, "red line" in Syria, and then balked.
That the rest of the world has taken his previous rhetoric at it's worth is no one's fault but President Obama's.
No dangerous current threatening to bring about a more disordered world exists today than the leaky-as-a-sieve Iran nuclear deal.
Diplomacy without the genuine threat of force is little more than chit-chat. The President has proven he has no stomach for genuine diplomacy since he drew his infamous, "red line" in Syria, and then balked.
That the rest of the world has taken his previous rhetoric at it's worth is no one's fault but President Obama's.
No dangerous current threatening to bring about a more disordered world exists today than the leaky-as-a-sieve Iran nuclear deal.
2
Putin's view that Assad's atrocities are pure propaganda is worrying, Sure, support Assad's military in the fight against ISIS and co - but then retire him out to a dacha with a high security fence while he awaits trail for the war criminal he is. Denying the atrocities makes Putin a willing collaborator, surely?
1
Go look up what Lincoln did when faced with civil war.
Obama is the one steering us into the dark abyss. He has provided no leadership and has actively undermined American leadership throughout the world. It's all fine and well for him to bemoan the state of the world, but he has yet to show he has any understanding of what it would take from the US to help the world get out of it.
4
With 21st-C wars now 'un-winnable' and such tragedies as migrants' crises and war-related terrorism as rife, the UN General Assembly (GA) cannot ad-infinitum continue plodding the traditional/failed route of relying on divisive national political powers to attain worldwide war prevention.
Also now, irrevocable 21st-C worldwide use of smart phones, social media, Internet, 24-hours TV news coverage, etcetera have indeed made all wars futile -Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, etc. (Pro-war politicians ignore this!)
These 21-st C realities also now make complete worldwide war prevention very feasible.
The GA can now make it IMPOSSIBLE for any national political leader to initiate war: by helping to create a new worldwide apolitical and independent multi-level body only for impartially resolving, between national political leaders, their inevitable and difficult political contentions -the cause of all wars.
(The body's adjudications can also be stringently enforced worldwide without armies. But the leaders' must first forgo their current exclusive war-initiation 'priviledges'.)
Attaining enforceable worldwide war prevention is this simple!
However, the UN GA cannot continue to ignore this possibility by its continual failed and dangerous reliance on national political leaders with their divisive interests. It cannot continue to lead the world on its badly-worn and consistently unproductive path of always relying on national politicians for this vital need.
Also now, irrevocable 21st-C worldwide use of smart phones, social media, Internet, 24-hours TV news coverage, etcetera have indeed made all wars futile -Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, etc. (Pro-war politicians ignore this!)
These 21-st C realities also now make complete worldwide war prevention very feasible.
The GA can now make it IMPOSSIBLE for any national political leader to initiate war: by helping to create a new worldwide apolitical and independent multi-level body only for impartially resolving, between national political leaders, their inevitable and difficult political contentions -the cause of all wars.
(The body's adjudications can also be stringently enforced worldwide without armies. But the leaders' must first forgo their current exclusive war-initiation 'priviledges'.)
Attaining enforceable worldwide war prevention is this simple!
However, the UN GA cannot continue to ignore this possibility by its continual failed and dangerous reliance on national political leaders with their divisive interests. It cannot continue to lead the world on its badly-worn and consistently unproductive path of always relying on national politicians for this vital need.
Many people claim that Obama's strategy has been a disaster. Let's throw in with Putin because neo-soviet totalitarianism looks like a great way to go. About a year ago I had the opportunity to hear a member of the Council on Foreign Relations who is also a respected professor of international relations give a talk on the Middle East and the rise of ISIL. He laid out three potential courses of action. Go all in with strong military intervention. Sit on the sidelines and watch catastrophe unfold. Do a part-way kind of thing (Which he predicted would happen and has). The problem, he told us, was that none of these options is any good. Not one. The US won't stand for another all-out invasion in the ME. Complete lack of involvement is impossible. And the middle way is ineffective. He basically told us that there are no good alternatives and this will be a very long drawn out process. This guy is an expert. Our highly intelligent and competent President consults with experts.Who knows how to stabilize a chaotic region and stem the humanitarian crisis and protect civil liberties without violating the sovereignty of other nations? Maybe Putin does because he's a dictator and not the least bit concerned with any of those factors except possibly regional stability.Our leaders have a much tougher path precisely because we care about all of those issues.Do we abandon our commitments because they're hard and look to dictators for the way forward?Who are we then?
7
There is nothing neo-Soviet about Putin. He has done nothing remotely socialist since coming to office. What he is is a nationalist, and a very, very popular one. He is not a dictator since he was elected over and over again by huge majorities. We pretend to care about the Syrians, Iraqis, Afghans, etc. but the reality is that we don't. We just want to control the resources. Period.
Trying to control the lands of foreigners is ever stupid, that is why we will always fail.
Trying to control the lands of foreigners is ever stupid, that is why we will always fail.
4
Like it or not, the reality is that there are leaders in the world that will always desire expanding power and control even if that means using deadly and barbaric force. It has been this way since the beginning of recorded history, and likely even before that. The smart play is for the US to maintain the most powerful and prepared military in the world. We must not stumble into situations like Iraq, but we also must not allow China and Russia to fill the power void and gain such an advantage over the US. Naiveté is a dangerous thing Mr. President, and it seems to be your defining characteristic with regard to foreign affairs.
35
"we also must not allow China and Russia to fill the power void and gain such an advantage over the US."
I am sympathetic to the sentiment but the real issue is how. Are we supposed to start shooting at the Russians and the Chinese in order to "not allow" them to do whatever we don't want them to do? If so how do we make sure it will not escalate into a nuclear war? If not what can the mechanism be to "not allow" them whatever? We know sanctions don't work, just look at Russia, Ukraine, and Crimea.
I am sympathetic to the sentiment but the real issue is how. Are we supposed to start shooting at the Russians and the Chinese in order to "not allow" them to do whatever we don't want them to do? If so how do we make sure it will not escalate into a nuclear war? If not what can the mechanism be to "not allow" them whatever? We know sanctions don't work, just look at Russia, Ukraine, and Crimea.
We must stop thinking going abroad and ruining the neighborhood will do anything but make enemies. Putin is a clever guy, Obama is cleverer (and good too), but in the end, you break it you own it.
4
It was already broken. We just touched it, it fell apart on its own. Do we get blamed for that?
Lots of comments blaming Obama for the chaos in the Middle East. Believe it or not bad things happen no matter what a US president does. The Iraq invasion got the ball rolling and for that the US is responsible. It is naive to think though, that after the eggs were broken the US can by itself unscramble the mess and that there is an obvious course to follow. The American public will not countenance more military adventures in the region. All the talk of moderate opposition to Assad turned out to be just that, talk. The Arab countries have been less than helpful, some contributing directly to the growth of ISIS. Turkey seems to be more interested in attacking the Kurds than ISIS. The only course of action open to the US is to arm the Kurds but for that it needs to have some way of reaching them with Turkish cooperation. The situation is a tangled mess regardless of what the US choses to do.
19
President Obama's speech is a joke.
President Obama hails the international rules by the U.N. even though the U.S. violates them routinely at its discretion.
Mr. Obama says, “major powers who want to ignore international rules and impose order through force of military power.” Has the U.S. ever done this? What about the last 14 years?
“In accordance with this logic, we should support tyrants like Bashar al-Assad who drops barrel bombs to massacre innocent civilians because the alternative is surely worse,”
Let’s see, just to name a few: U.S. support of dictators in Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, CIA coup overthrowing the popularly elected Mosaddegh and installing the dictator Shah in Iran, U.S. support of the brutal Somoza regime and the gentle contras under President Reagan, the CIA supported military coup over Aristide. For a comprehensive list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_authoritarian_regimes_supported_by...
“War has raged in Syria for four years” - and currently 14 years in the Muslim world by the U.S.
“Mr. Obama made a forceful case for democracy and pointed out that “dictatorships are unstable.”
Noam Chomsky has amply documented during his lifetime that the U.S. almost always prefers dictators over democracies because the latter are too unpredictable when it comes to protecting U.S. corporate interests.
President Obama hails the international rules by the U.N. even though the U.S. violates them routinely at its discretion.
Mr. Obama says, “major powers who want to ignore international rules and impose order through force of military power.” Has the U.S. ever done this? What about the last 14 years?
“In accordance with this logic, we should support tyrants like Bashar al-Assad who drops barrel bombs to massacre innocent civilians because the alternative is surely worse,”
Let’s see, just to name a few: U.S. support of dictators in Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, CIA coup overthrowing the popularly elected Mosaddegh and installing the dictator Shah in Iran, U.S. support of the brutal Somoza regime and the gentle contras under President Reagan, the CIA supported military coup over Aristide. For a comprehensive list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_authoritarian_regimes_supported_by...
“War has raged in Syria for four years” - and currently 14 years in the Muslim world by the U.S.
“Mr. Obama made a forceful case for democracy and pointed out that “dictatorships are unstable.”
Noam Chomsky has amply documented during his lifetime that the U.S. almost always prefers dictators over democracies because the latter are too unpredictable when it comes to protecting U.S. corporate interests.
111
"Mr. Obama warned that “dangerous currents risk pulling us back in a dark more disordered world.”
Yeah, commas matter.
Yeah, commas matter.
1
Mr. President, where does the unbridled and extralegal use of drones by the U.S. (and soon everyone else) fit in our increasingly disordered world?
4
I'm OK with drones once everyone has them and the US is as likely to get burned by them as to accomplish anything.
Reduces the overall population by a small amount. Every little bit helps.
The situation - as beyond correction - perpetuates non performing national entities
2
For the entire first Obama administration, and well into the second, the Obama foreign policy continued that of the Bush administration. This was the neocon policy of world domination sometimes called the Wolfowitz Doctrine as expressed in the "Project for a New American Century". This doctrine is that there must arise no power anywhere in the world capable of thwarting the will of "the last superpower", and that any power that defies our will must be destabilized and overthrown. This doctrine was applied to Iraq under Bush, and then to Libya and Syria under Obama. The result has been the destruction of three functioning states, and the arise of ISIS out of the resulting chaos. What is worse is that our so-called war against ISIS has been completely phony. We have been continuing the neocon policy by allowing our allies Saudi Arabia and Turkey to finance and supply ISIS as an instrument to overthrow Assad. This policy has finally caused Putin to step in to protect Russia's ally Syria and to declare a real war against ISIS. This gives Obama the perfect opportunity to reverse the neocon policies of the last six years. If the U.S. and Russia can form a good working relationship at the U.N. this week, there is no international problem that cannot be solved.
32
Imagine Trump's bluster or Carson's cluelessness at that forum, rather than Obama's thoughtful, reasoned presentation. The US does not exist or operate in a vaccum. The next President must not be another militaristic, bomb first think later, diplomacy is for the weak, don't do historical/cultural research leader like GWB.
24
Mr. Obama threatened at least five nations, Iraq, Iran, China, Russia, and Syria in his speech. I don't think Mr. Trump would top that.
4
Obama's speech, already upon the dustheap of history. He tried to have it both ways on Syria, trying to defeat both ISIS and Assad, and Putin picked up the football Obama fumbled, and is standing in the other end zone as Obama pontificates (sorry, Frank).
14
How ,oh how, is this a "win" for Putin?
Haven't this all started with the US invasion of Iraq? Obama is absolutedly right: we deployed hundreds of thousands of troops and spent trilliions of dollars in the neocon's misguided pursuit "nation building", yet the Middle East is far worse off. And we go in to counter or preempt (your favorite villain nation)'s move, we'll end up escalating it into vietnam style proxy wars only to make suffering of the people worse.
Ultimately, Syria is the problem that Syrian people must solve. Likewise, Iraq. We only can help them help themselves and provide humanitarian assistance however we can. Those who are now clamouring for military intervention obvously haven't learned the lesson from Vietnam and Iraq, or learned a wrong one from WW2 or Korea -- remember the comparison of Sadam Hussein to Hitler? -- like the neocons who brought this mess at the first place.
Ultimately, Syria is the problem that Syrian people must solve. Likewise, Iraq. We only can help them help themselves and provide humanitarian assistance however we can. Those who are now clamouring for military intervention obvously haven't learned the lesson from Vietnam and Iraq, or learned a wrong one from WW2 or Korea -- remember the comparison of Sadam Hussein to Hitler? -- like the neocons who brought this mess at the first place.
16
'Those dangerous currents include major powers who want to ignore international rules and impose order through force of military power, he (Obama) said.'
It is unfathomable that any U.S. president could lecture on such a issue, after our unmitigated failures with the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, the thousands of lives lost, trillions squandered and chaos created.
True, Obama did not initiate these conflicts, but there is still constant meddling on our government’s part throughout the Middle East, deciding who to arm and who not to arm, which leader should remain in power and which should not. The other day the Times noted that we may help an affiliate of Al Qaeda to help quell rising tensions in Syria. Wasn’t Al Qaeda our sworn enemy not so long ago?
This is part of our history of failed aggressions. Before pointing fingers at other nations and their policies, perhaps we should remove the obstruction from our own eyes to aid us in seeing things more clearly.
It is unfathomable that any U.S. president could lecture on such a issue, after our unmitigated failures with the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, the thousands of lives lost, trillions squandered and chaos created.
True, Obama did not initiate these conflicts, but there is still constant meddling on our government’s part throughout the Middle East, deciding who to arm and who not to arm, which leader should remain in power and which should not. The other day the Times noted that we may help an affiliate of Al Qaeda to help quell rising tensions in Syria. Wasn’t Al Qaeda our sworn enemy not so long ago?
This is part of our history of failed aggressions. Before pointing fingers at other nations and their policies, perhaps we should remove the obstruction from our own eyes to aid us in seeing things more clearly.
14
I thought Obama acknowledged our failures in the Middle East, both Iraq & Libya. Syria is another story. The Pope called for the end of the arms industry on his first day in the USA. How many americans even know that we are the world’s top arms exporter? Russia & China are our nearest competitors.
Specifically denouncing Assad by name early on in his speech does not serve Obama well @ this critical juncture in coming to grips yet again with a way of resolving the Syrian crisis. Otherwise, we heard a lofty, lengthy paen to the values of democracy that probably bored many attendees.
7
President Obama pursues peace through strength and strength through peace — which is really the only way.
Kudos to him for monumental progress on Cuba and Iran. John Kerry and Pope Francis also deserve considerable credit and either or both deserves a Nobel Peace Prize.
Kudos to him for monumental progress on Cuba and Iran. John Kerry and Pope Francis also deserve considerable credit and either or both deserves a Nobel Peace Prize.
14
Might as well give Kerry a Nobel. They are worthless after Obama got one.
5
Wrong: Obama pursues Peace through Weakness and Weakness at the expense of Americas and the interests of the World's freedom.
3
Nobel Foundation has gift shops in Stockholm and Oslo, you can buy one in chocolate. Send one to Obama and Kerry, should be fine, they never take the heat, it's always some subordinate. Like the poor geek who got ordered by the SecState to set up an illegal email server in her private home.
1
Obama once again proves himself the fool with his "remember how this started" comment. Syria is not Ferguson, MO, where you can misrepresent the truth and incite and get away with it. Clearly, had Assad been able to stop the rebels fewer people would have died, especially Christians, there would be fewer refugees, if any, and ISIS would not exist. But what did Obama do? He encouraged the rebels, gave them support, and prolonged the misery into this multiyear disaster. Yes, this is a brutal region of the world. We are not going to change that with bullying words.
21
Warrantone, you are completely wrong. Assad instigated the rebellion. There was no rebellion until he started slaughtering people who were simply begging for food.
Your argument is that we shoudl have helped Assad killhis own people, who were starving and hat would somehow have made fewer disontented people who would join ISIS. That is a stupid argument.
ISIS originated in Iraq, not Syria. They came into being before the Iraq war even started, then joined with Al Quaeda to fight the Americans in Iraq.
Pay attention, learn some history.
You just start with the premise that you dont like Obama, and then you find whatever flood of nonsense you can to support that.
Your argument is that we shoudl have helped Assad killhis own people, who were starving and hat would somehow have made fewer disontented people who would join ISIS. That is a stupid argument.
ISIS originated in Iraq, not Syria. They came into being before the Iraq war even started, then joined with Al Quaeda to fight the Americans in Iraq.
Pay attention, learn some history.
You just start with the premise that you dont like Obama, and then you find whatever flood of nonsense you can to support that.
3
Assad must go. Why is he still there? He is the cause for the exodus in Syria because people do not want to die under his wing and his bombs of gas.
it is baffling to me. Also obvious how Russia still takes the side of tyrants. In a sense Putin is not much better. Why is he still in power after all these years?
it is baffling to me. Also obvious how Russia still takes the side of tyrants. In a sense Putin is not much better. Why is he still in power after all these years?
2
With connections in Boston and Frankfurt, you could be in Beirut first thing Wednesday morning! Go on, make sure Assad goes! Brave man. What's that smell? Oh, you should have gone before we left the house.
3
The fantasy never dies, no matter how many people do. The U.S. military can accomplish anything, ANYTHING! if politicians would not limit it with this various forms of cowardice. This was the drone during and after Vietnam, and it hasn't subsided despite all evidence to the contrary, the testimony of even the Generals, and the immorality of the idea in the first place. This is the irrational belief in our presumed destiny to Make the world our militarily enforced empire. Based on the even more irrational belief that all problems can be solved via war. Based on the even more immoral belief that only we (the U.S. military) know what's good for all the peoples of the earth.
17
Really? Mr. Obama. Diplomacy? Really?, You who are commander in chief of 45% of military spending in the world, 65% of spending on war? Your army has bases in or active presence in 80 countries? You who are an terrorist assassin of people you don't like without trial, even your own citizens, by means of the most terror causing weapon in the world, drones? You who send our bombers to kill people half way around the world? Really, Mr. President? Your call for diplomacy to solve conflicts around the world rings hollow, perhaps even hypocritical. But I note it is not just you. The republicans are even greater war mongers than even you. You are just reflecting your (our) penchant for moral supremacy that gives us the "right" even "obligation" to "set things right". But that is what war is all about, because not everyone agrees with you (us) about what is indeed right and wrong. Really, Mr. President. Diplomacy? If you believe it then cut our military budget by about 90 percent to match the budgets of everyone else, including Russia and China.
18
Nothing accomplished at the UN. Every country talking for/to itself, actually reminds me of the Republican Presidential Candidates, about 15, recently advertising themselves at the Reagan Center. Waste of time.
1
Mr. Obama went to the UN and had nothing concrete to say.
18
I thought his speech was comprehensive and thoughtful. We are fortunate to have such an articulate and thoughtful President.
4
Hugh: his speech was lies beginning to end. Really: do your homework.
1
This is the problem of having an morally superior orator-in-chief. US leadership is fundamentally weaker today than it has been in my lifetime. Through meaningless redlines and an inability to decisively affect strategic outcomes, the US has been out maneuvered-again. We could cite the examples of the Ukrainian annexation by Russia, failure to achieve a SOFA in Iraq that could have bolstered the pitiful Iraqi Army, or conducting an expensive air war that has produced little in the way of result.
Self-righteousness alone is not a solution to international or domestic politics. We must stop believing in the moral purity of academic safety and we begin to live in the world as it is.
Self-righteousness alone is not a solution to international or domestic politics. We must stop believing in the moral purity of academic safety and we begin to live in the world as it is.
2
Can we get the Pope to come back?
All of this U.N. talk is just such a buzz kill after such an uplifting week listening to the Pope. And I am not even a Catholic.
All of this U.N. talk is just such a buzz kill after such an uplifting week listening to the Pope. And I am not even a Catholic.
1
The picture in this article is supposed to make us hate Assad? Yes, when there are rebels in a region, using civilians as human shields, there will inevitably be innocent bloodshed. By the same logic, this article should show pictures of Palestinian children bleeding in the streets of Gaza. But then again, propaganda...
And where are the pictures of American (mostly black American) civilians, bleeding in the streets of Ferguson? Oh wait, there aren't very many because the land of the free, which allows freedom of the press, arrested 11 journalists for trying to do their job. Those "journalists" who were not arrested obliged to instructions to stay withing the "press pens" and report from a perspective that was essentially theatrically coerced and shoved down their throats and, subsequently, down the throats and into the closed minds of the "'Muricahn" public.
A sad state of affairs.
If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.
--Josph Goebbels, Nazi propaganda minister
And where are the pictures of American (mostly black American) civilians, bleeding in the streets of Ferguson? Oh wait, there aren't very many because the land of the free, which allows freedom of the press, arrested 11 journalists for trying to do their job. Those "journalists" who were not arrested obliged to instructions to stay withing the "press pens" and report from a perspective that was essentially theatrically coerced and shoved down their throats and, subsequently, down the throats and into the closed minds of the "'Muricahn" public.
A sad state of affairs.
If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.
--Josph Goebbels, Nazi propaganda minister
5
Ah, sorry to interrupt your propaganda, but Assad is raining munitions down upon civilians quite randomly, and has used chemical weapons, and has the blood of tens of thousands at least on his hands. Don't stand up for a mass murderer, please.
And in Ferguson in the last protests, the black civilians who were injured were pretty much all injured by other black civilians who took the opportunity to engage in some looting, burning, and gunfire. So beware propaganda coming from any extremes, I'd say.
And in Ferguson in the last protests, the black civilians who were injured were pretty much all injured by other black civilians who took the opportunity to engage in some looting, burning, and gunfire. So beware propaganda coming from any extremes, I'd say.
1
So many readers here reach for easy solutions and critical explanations. THe reason America has not solved all the world's problems is not because of failed policies or weak leadership by Obama's administrations. The problems resist simple fixes and Obama and his team work at them and labor away, trying to build the relationships and trust that Bush and his horrible team so abruptly squandered away.
Obama is also saddled with a traitorous GOP in the house or senate that only works to undermine every initiative he undertakes (such as the red line he sought to draw in Syria and that crazy letter the GOP senators sent to Iran about the nuclear deal).
Restoring the relationships that Cheney and Bush frittered away for eight years will take another decade: Go Hillary!
Obama is also saddled with a traitorous GOP in the house or senate that only works to undermine every initiative he undertakes (such as the red line he sought to draw in Syria and that crazy letter the GOP senators sent to Iran about the nuclear deal).
Restoring the relationships that Cheney and Bush frittered away for eight years will take another decade: Go Hillary!
2
"The Buck Stops Here"H. Truman, President of the United States Mr. Obama has been in office for seven years, allowing for rounding up. Stop blaming others for his failures.
1
The 800 pound gorilla in the room: Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, BAhrain, Qatar and Kuwait. Very oil rich Arab states. States, who one way or another have contributed to the destabilization of the region and help, over time, create ISIS, Al Quida, the Tallivban, etc. Not to mention, indirectly supporting dictators in the region, like Assad.
The biggest fear is that these authoritarian, oil rich monarchies will have to cede power to the masses. Add to this, they are playing the UN, the US, Russia, et. all against each other to keep power. Caught in the middle, Arabs of poor countries, who they want repressed, as they do not have an uprising within their own borders. Their weapon? Threats to cutting off the oil supply.
The Secretary General said what he had to say, but glossed over what needed to be said about About the world's true evil empire, the oil rich Arab states of the middle east and and their exportation of militant Islam.
The latest agreement between Russian, Iraq, Iran and Syria is a classic example tactics to keep the status quo. The US, and its coalition being the other sphere of influence. Similar to what we had with the "Cold War". Meanwhile, the oil rich Arab states laugh all tthe way to the bank.
What happened last week, in Mecca, hundreds killed so a royal procession can pass through, is a glaring example of what the Hajj has become. A Saudi Arabia version of Las Vegas; complete with garish hotels. This while migrants die and starve to get away from ISIS.
The biggest fear is that these authoritarian, oil rich monarchies will have to cede power to the masses. Add to this, they are playing the UN, the US, Russia, et. all against each other to keep power. Caught in the middle, Arabs of poor countries, who they want repressed, as they do not have an uprising within their own borders. Their weapon? Threats to cutting off the oil supply.
The Secretary General said what he had to say, but glossed over what needed to be said about About the world's true evil empire, the oil rich Arab states of the middle east and and their exportation of militant Islam.
The latest agreement between Russian, Iraq, Iran and Syria is a classic example tactics to keep the status quo. The US, and its coalition being the other sphere of influence. Similar to what we had with the "Cold War". Meanwhile, the oil rich Arab states laugh all tthe way to the bank.
What happened last week, in Mecca, hundreds killed so a royal procession can pass through, is a glaring example of what the Hajj has become. A Saudi Arabia version of Las Vegas; complete with garish hotels. This while migrants die and starve to get away from ISIS.
7
For once I wish we'd dispense with the blame game in the Middle East. We spend too much time and good will within our own country as to whether it is Assad who gave rise to ISIS. Or it was the U.S. actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. I don't know whether Putin has this right about Syria or Obama does. We should have learned by now that actions we think are correct can and do often lead to unintended and unwelcome consequences. Just as we didn't consult Russia before taking our actions in Syria with regard to ISIS, Putin is now doing the same by not consulting with us. I wonder when the two greatest powers in the world will align around the common goal of eliminating the barbarism and human toll taking place there.
103
When Obama is gone.
ISIS does not think they are barbaric, they think we are. I guess we are right (WAR) and they are wrong (TAW) ---- WAR-TAW, the cry of every dictator, emperor, king, and president.
If you read what is happening in Syria you;ll find that Assad is slaughtering his own people when the they demonstrated for peace. Even his own people were appalled at his actions.
According to the article I read, his assassins went right to the demonstration and mowed every one of them down. He is denying them food, not permitting them to leave. In the meantime he sent his family to Jordan in order to save his own kids. He turned out to be a monster.
According to the article I read, his assassins went right to the demonstration and mowed every one of them down. He is denying them food, not permitting them to leave. In the meantime he sent his family to Jordan in order to save his own kids. He turned out to be a monster.
It’s hard to tell what the US president is trying to accomplish in Syria.
We do not have the guts to send on the Marines, and clean up this mess. We could do it, but we won’t.
Then Russia sends her Marines to do this job, but we’re getting on the way.
Why? What is our government doing there, that they so scared someone else will find out?
The position of the US is that we will not help, unless Assad walks away, and we shame anyone who tries to step in.
Meantime, ISIS continues their reign of terror. Or not, depending on which NYT article you want to believe; Sunday’s article said ISIS had lost momentum, today’s article says ISIS continues to expand unabated.
Fact is, the Marines are not coming. Time for us to stop being a hero, and move aside, let someone else take the lead.
We do not have the guts to send on the Marines, and clean up this mess. We could do it, but we won’t.
Then Russia sends her Marines to do this job, but we’re getting on the way.
Why? What is our government doing there, that they so scared someone else will find out?
The position of the US is that we will not help, unless Assad walks away, and we shame anyone who tries to step in.
Meantime, ISIS continues their reign of terror. Or not, depending on which NYT article you want to believe; Sunday’s article said ISIS had lost momentum, today’s article says ISIS continues to expand unabated.
Fact is, the Marines are not coming. Time for us to stop being a hero, and move aside, let someone else take the lead.
3
We did send in the Marines and the result is ISIS.
Aside from that, this country doesn't have the stomach to go to war and we don't have the money to pay for it.
Aside from that, this country doesn't have the stomach to go to war and we don't have the money to pay for it.
2
Why should it always be American boots on the ground? Good on Russia for stepping up to the plate. Too many Americans have lost their lives for a group of people who don't even want democracy.
1
Obama has let the enemies have free rein. He wants US to be 2nd class power.
2
I believe that we will never have peace in the Middle East in my lifetime. It has been a boiling pot of different what? - tribes, sects, whatever - forced to live under unnatural boundaries since WWII. No government, or group, in any of those nations lives by our ethical or moral codes. We will never be successful there. Let them fight it our and leave the strongest groups standing. We would be fools to go back. How much money and blood do we need to throw away?
2
Just listened to President Obama addressing the world's political leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in which he proudly asserted the United States is the #1 economic and especially military power in the world and America intends to maintain that status -- by force if necessary. Obama offered mere abstract reference to the dangers of man-caused Climate Change -- abstract inasmuch he did not state that the United States will take the overwhelming and necessary action to not only halt this growing disaster, but reverse it.
Meanwhile, as today's article in the Guardian newspaper state, the planet may have not only reached the environmental tipping point of little hope, but surpassed it. It may well be that all is already lost as far as the future of humanity is concerned!
Meanwhile, as today's article in the Guardian newspaper state, the planet may have not only reached the environmental tipping point of little hope, but surpassed it. It may well be that all is already lost as far as the future of humanity is concerned!
1
I don't care who brings stability to Syria and the Middle East. It's not a contest. It's a global imperative. Many commenters, here, appear to be fixated on the blame game and the need for US superiority. It's time to let these immature reactions go and support whatever is working.
5
ISIS is Saudi Arabia without the legitimacy; to visit the beheading capitol of the world, go to Riyadh. ISIS is a creation of Saudi Arabia's relentless spread of Wahhabism using petrodollars supplied by the West.
5
Seems that is what happens when US leadership, action rather then talk, happens. Seems O, as always, is political 24/7. Best the GOP focus on 2016 so we can avoid his 'dangerous and dark current' that are pulling us into a disordered country.
3
Full Barack Obama's speech at the UN http://moevideo.net/video/06896.0306b6ad0e98420fe01d8d3c144f
It should be no surprise that Russian, Iraq, Syria and Iran are sharing intelligence information with. Russia and Iran have always been allied with Assad and ever since GWBush turned Iraq into a client state of Iran it basically does whatever Iran wants them to do.
But in reality better they are stuck in the middle east quagmire of what is little more then a 1000 year old sectarian war between Sunni and Shiite then we are, and better to let those who live in the middle east fight their own battles instead of us doing it for them.
You would think Russia would have learned something from its experience in Afghanistan but clearly the rightwing her in America hasn't learned anything from it so why should they. I guess whenever you can send other people's kids to die in war its easy for them to go to war.
But in reality better they are stuck in the middle east quagmire of what is little more then a 1000 year old sectarian war between Sunni and Shiite then we are, and better to let those who live in the middle east fight their own battles instead of us doing it for them.
You would think Russia would have learned something from its experience in Afghanistan but clearly the rightwing her in America hasn't learned anything from it so why should they. I guess whenever you can send other people's kids to die in war its easy for them to go to war.
Were the Israelis kind enough to have someone listening to Obama this time? Or was their seat again empty, just their usual nuanced way of letting America know who runs the show in America?
5
Too much hypocritical hubris from the American Drone King Prison Warden Big Brother Spy Barack Hussein Obama.
15
Putin has always been wily. He knows when he comes to the UN he will be taken to task about Crimea and Ukraine. So he makes a deft move for a different solution to the Syrian crisis. He is killing many birds with one stone - focus the light away from Crimea, a likely solution to the murder and mayhem in Syria, rein in the ISIS, justify support to Assad, be the Leader to initiate a possible workable solution to beat the ISIS and above all steal the thunder from right under our noses. Sounds like a great plan - for him and Russia !!!
President Obama has and is making the best of a difficult job, walking a tightrope between what he can do and all the delusions of a nation that thinks he can just walk over all of history and complain when he can't.
Encouraging Democrats to blame him for not being superhuman is a favorite activity of Republican strategists.
It is amazing to me that so many people think a self-publicizing shyster can do what he says, just because he says it. Just like televangelists, he is ugly to the core. Making quieter but ignorant and bigoted opponents like Carson and Fiorina look good is not providing us with options to move towards a reasonably public entity that will act for the common good in the years to come.
I am horrified that we are willing to trash our hospitable home, the planet, to submit to the marketing apparatus and make the wealthy wealthier.
We, the human family, need to care for ourselves and our planet, not hate anyone who steps in to say, hey, there's work to be done, stop with screaming for the products of hair and makeup as if that world was more real than the one we occupy.
Obama is not to blame for not making us more aggressive; we cannot police the world. Putin is a wily guy, but he's interested in Russia, especially in its previous glory, and willing to take advantage.
Please take thought about the world of the possible and realize it is you and your families that are at risk.
Encouraging Democrats to blame him for not being superhuman is a favorite activity of Republican strategists.
It is amazing to me that so many people think a self-publicizing shyster can do what he says, just because he says it. Just like televangelists, he is ugly to the core. Making quieter but ignorant and bigoted opponents like Carson and Fiorina look good is not providing us with options to move towards a reasonably public entity that will act for the common good in the years to come.
I am horrified that we are willing to trash our hospitable home, the planet, to submit to the marketing apparatus and make the wealthy wealthier.
We, the human family, need to care for ourselves and our planet, not hate anyone who steps in to say, hey, there's work to be done, stop with screaming for the products of hair and makeup as if that world was more real than the one we occupy.
Obama is not to blame for not making us more aggressive; we cannot police the world. Putin is a wily guy, but he's interested in Russia, especially in its previous glory, and willing to take advantage.
Please take thought about the world of the possible and realize it is you and your families that are at risk.
2
Obama is still stumping for ISIS over Assad. It's time for him to admit that his support of the rebels, who now fight alongside AQ, Al-Nusra and ISIS, has deepened the civil war. He had no business getting involved in Syria (or Libya), but he is too proud to admit he's wrong. He joins Bush and Cheney in the warmongers Hall of Fame.
3
" the United States could not solve the world’s problems on its own, he said."
Really, all the rest of the world is asking, is that the United States not make the problems worse. But, once it has made them worse, at least assume the responsibility of the problems it has created.
"He pointed to the war in Iraq where, despite sending more than 100,000 troops and spending trillions of dollars, the United States was unsuccessful in stabilizing the country."
If he really said this, this is not serious. The U.S. sent more than 100 000 troops and spent trillions of dollars to *destabilize* the country first and then, half-heartedly, stabilize it.
Really, all the rest of the world is asking, is that the United States not make the problems worse. But, once it has made them worse, at least assume the responsibility of the problems it has created.
"He pointed to the war in Iraq where, despite sending more than 100,000 troops and spending trillions of dollars, the United States was unsuccessful in stabilizing the country."
If he really said this, this is not serious. The U.S. sent more than 100 000 troops and spent trillions of dollars to *destabilize* the country first and then, half-heartedly, stabilize it.
49
Correct: the warmongering Cheney/Rumsfeld/Dubya contigent, caught flatfooted in kindergarten on 9/11 launched Iraq 2 "Desert Mongrel" to find non-existent WMDs, destroy the Baathists, encourage a new religious war among those predisposed to kill each other and throw the whole thing in the laps of Americans with the Patriot Act making meaningful dissent illegal and destroying the Constitution. I recommend prosecuting those who called for this "messianic" crusade against the wrong people for the wrong reasons for the treason against the national interest that it truly was, and still is. Nuremburg still has a courthouse we can use.
Unfortunately, there never were any words about stabilization. The main tasks were the overthrow a intractable leader and took control over oil. That's it, the missions is accomplished.
President Obama's speech at the UN this morning was one of his very best. I felt very proud. Bravo! (Notice that no representative of Syria, Iran, Russia, or Cuba applauded him. They hate it when he's right. It's embarrassing.)
19
What happened to the access to video stream from this UN session? I listened to Obama's speech, now I want to go back and listen to Tusk and hopefully to Putin too (since one can never find anything in direct speech from the guy in the mainstream papers) and there is no more access to the video stream! How come! Don't you want your readers to form their own opinion about world leaders views on numerous crises and their ideas on how to solve those? I have to go to RT now with hopes that they are streaming it live continuously. I hope you will reinstate the access. Thank you.
7
"Don't you want your readers to form their own opinion about world leaders views on numerous crises and their ideas on how to solve those?"
Not if you are a media executive and know even better than Obama what he meant, so all their hired, well paid talking heads must tell what he and every other politician said and meant because "we the people" are too stupid to figure it our for ourselves.
Not if you are a media executive and know even better than Obama what he meant, so all their hired, well paid talking heads must tell what he and every other politician said and meant because "we the people" are too stupid to figure it our for ourselves.
2
The UN is justly criticized as a do-nothing body with a wasteful bureaucracy. But its real value is, in addition to its humanitarian relief efforts, to serve as a forum for world leaders to air their disputes and fight each other with words and political maneuvers. If that has saved us from even one war, the UN has amply paid for itself.
4
Only intellectual dishonesty can deny that the US president lack leadership.
32
I say they need to put all of them on a Island and that way they well all be together and they can and keep the bad people out of the USA! We are having enough problems with the mexicans! And the person who said he likes Putin he needs to go to Russia, I am sure he would change his mind very fast.
2
Largely because of Obama's failed foreign policy.
24
At this rate, by the time Obama leaves office you won't be able to find a single person who will admit to having voted for him. Let's all think about that before we rush to anoint HRC, the chief architect of Obama's Foreign "Policy".
48
You live in the wrong neighborhood or travel in the wrong circles: I don't know very many people who don't still brag about supporting him and who also don't shake their heads in astonishment at the haters and the reasons they invent for hating him.
3
In another decade, you may not be able to find a single person had voted against him.
1
I disagree with you about Obama eventually not having a single person who admits to voting for him. I do agree with your indicated sentiment that he is a failure but there are those, and unfortunately numbering in the millions, who are so stupid and/or short sighted that they still back him and will continue to back him regardless of his and their idiocy.
3
Putin maintained Assad's forces were "the only legitimate conventional army there". The Western-led airstrikes so far have avoided targeting Assad's "positions on the battlefield". This allows the regime forces to wipe out all enemies with ferocity. Perhaps this is the first step to "ethnic cleansing"!
Will Putin be able to convince Obama to put aside their differences and join together in the fight against Islamic State? He wants to come in from the cold - rebranding Russia from pariah to partner and diverting attention away from Ukraine, while retaining a degree of influence in Syria and boosting Russia's international image. The question is whether the Sunni Arabs would let him have his way!
Will Putin be able to convince Obama to put aside their differences and join together in the fight against Islamic State? He wants to come in from the cold - rebranding Russia from pariah to partner and diverting attention away from Ukraine, while retaining a degree of influence in Syria and boosting Russia's international image. The question is whether the Sunni Arabs would let him have his way!
3
Sadly, Obama had an open canvas to create a masterpiece of Middle East policy, and instead he finger painted like an elementary student. Imagine if he had gone into Syria in allegiance with the government of Syria, used all possible means to defeat Isis, and then sought legitimate changes in Syria. In other words, let's save your country first, then worry about the government. Putin will be the hero defeating Isis, and Obama the fool.
We try to fight a war with armed drones, Russia uses drones for surveillance then hammers the terrorists with the SU-25. We choose to retire the A-10, our most effective ground attack aircraft. As an airline Captain and former military pilot I am baffled by our decisions and our President. More significantly, I am ashamed I voted for him.
We try to fight a war with armed drones, Russia uses drones for surveillance then hammers the terrorists with the SU-25. We choose to retire the A-10, our most effective ground attack aircraft. As an airline Captain and former military pilot I am baffled by our decisions and our President. More significantly, I am ashamed I voted for him.
34
Minor technical detail: ISIS didn't start the Syrian civil war. They didn't even exist at the time.
4
"We choose to retire the A-10, our most effective ground attack aircraft."
The "Fighter Mafia" which dominates the Air Force high command absolutely hates the A-10 because it has no air to air capability, but at the same time refuse to turn it over to the US Army, who would love to have it, because they do not want competition from the Army.
The "Fighter Mafia" which dominates the Air Force high command absolutely hates the A-10 because it has no air to air capability, but at the same time refuse to turn it over to the US Army, who would love to have it, because they do not want competition from the Army.
1
Sorry Robert you might want to check your facts,Founded in 1999, by Abu Ayyub al-Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir. You are right, Daesh did not start the Syrian civil war, they only exploited the war to conquer as much as they could while the world was sitting on their hands.
World leaders are simply laughing at Obama and his empty words at the U.N. Putin ignores Obama's red lines in the sand of Syria and continues to arm the Assad regime while establishing Russian bases there for future use. Meanwhile Crimea is now a Russian satellite state, and Ukraine is not far behind. China takes us to the cleaners in manufacturing and exports while we import nearly everything we consume from them. They own vast amounts of our federal debt which Obama has increased from $11 trillion to $18 trillion in 6 short years, and Obama has "negotiated" a pass for them on greenhouse gas emissions until 2026, while simultaneously tightening controls on U.S. energy and manufacturing companies. Obama capitulates to Iran's nuclear ambitions and turns over $150 billion to them for their purchase of more arms and munitions from China and Russia to further their terrorist activities world wide. The list of foreign policy blunders goes on and on. The Obama administration will go down as the most inept foreign policy presidency in our history.
17
This is dross of the worst sort. Only 2.7% of American consumables are imported from China. Only 7% of our debt is held by China (less than that held by Japan). China has done far more in recent years to reduce it's greenhouse gas emissions than the USA--most recently by preparing to impose a cap and trade system on its worst industrial polluters. There is plenty to criticize the Obama administration for--especially on the international front--without lying and fear-mongering.
Diplomacy should always have its place in the U.S. approach to world affairs and in our dealings with other countries. But, diplomacy, particularly the kind of diplomacy that is predicated on naivete, lack of deep understanding of your opponents, and fear of action, soon leads to "paralysis by analysis". This may create a sense that our engagements/disengagements (Iraq, Iran, Syria, Russia, Ukraine, China, etc.) are reasonably quiet and progressing on some satisfactory trajectory towards some kind of undefined success. Unfortunately, diplomacy can only take you so far. When carried on too long, coupled with you opponents knowledge that you will not act assertively, they start to behave like the bad actors they are. Obama dosen't seem to understand that Putin, Khomeini, Xi Jinping, Assad, Issis, et al., are playing both the short and long games. They will not hesitate, under cover of diplomacy, to remake the world in their demented image.
8
So what do you suggest? We should invade them all?
1
"They will not hesitate, under cover of diplomacy, to remake the world in their demented image."
Just like us and our presidents, from both parties, reflecting quite well the American view of exceptionalism, especially moral exceptionalism (the 16th century enlightenment and reformation). We are often the pot calling the kettle black.
Just like us and our presidents, from both parties, reflecting quite well the American view of exceptionalism, especially moral exceptionalism (the 16th century enlightenment and reformation). We are often the pot calling the kettle black.
Obama created the problems that he is talking about resolving with his failed middle east policies and lack of leadership. Allowing thousands of undocumented refugees to enter the US will further compound the problem and potentially allow terrorists to enter our country.
He is an arrogant, pompous, socialist ideologue who has jeopardized the safety of all Americans.
He is an arrogant, pompous, socialist ideologue who has jeopardized the safety of all Americans.
44
Obama's 'failed middle east policies'? What about the two Bushes? How did they do? Obama has just been trying to clear up the incredible mess they left behind.
267
Obama has done nothing but make the problem much worse. His policy of disengagement is a disaster, for which we will pay a huge price. Everything he has done is purposeful toward making the US a second tier power in the world. It is his transformative purpose and policy, pure and simple.
3
Give it up tom. Even Obama has stopped trying to blame Bush for his failures.
You conveniently forget that based on the evidence all the top democrats including Hillary voted for the war with Iraq etc.
You conveniently forget that based on the evidence all the top democrats including Hillary voted for the war with Iraq etc.
If the. USA is not planning to lead then it's fine to follow Putins plans. It's sad to say our leadership is diminishing, however we clearly have trouble developing a strategy that's works.
16
America has no strategy unless it's sponsored by major corporations and banks. With moneyed interests not standing to benefit in the outcome in most of the middle east, there will be no "strategy", just a continued tactical destabilization everywhere that arms sales can be drummed up.
What should emerge from the U.N. opening and its endless speeches is that the U.S. and the West it putatively leads has lost all semblance of real leadership in the Middle East to a Russia headed by Vladimir Putin, and his allies of convenience for the moment, Iran, Syria and the Shiastan portion of Iraq.
Mr. Obama can rail against the destabilizing forces of the region, largely ISIS, but clearly has little interest or intention of doing anything about them OTHER than complain. That leaves the only interested approach to be Russia's; and Russia's interests will remain in keeping Bashar al Assad's Syria viable so long as Assad kills Islamist jihadists in Syria, allowing Putin to avoid that chore in Russian enclaves.
To what miserable levels have we sunk.
Mr. Obama can rail against the destabilizing forces of the region, largely ISIS, but clearly has little interest or intention of doing anything about them OTHER than complain. That leaves the only interested approach to be Russia's; and Russia's interests will remain in keeping Bashar al Assad's Syria viable so long as Assad kills Islamist jihadists in Syria, allowing Putin to avoid that chore in Russian enclaves.
To what miserable levels have we sunk.
65
If I understand correctly, Russia has broken international law by invading Crimea and Ukraine. However, some members of the Security Council would say that a country has the right to influence its part of the world, particularly where it once held power. (We fought a Civil War to keep southern states as part of the Union.) Also, NATO has armed forces on the border of Russia, which has to live with that reality.
The US has a long history of interfering in other countries to install leadership that we want. None of that has proved effective in the long run. Cooperation might solve the Syria tragedy if the US would not insist in having its own way about the future leadership.
It is naïve to think that the US can make powerful countries in other parts of the world do what we want them to do. Diplomacy is the only way to hope to come up with a palatable balance in a fragile world. In today’s world military force can’t work as it did in WW II.
The US has a long history of interfering in other countries to install leadership that we want. None of that has proved effective in the long run. Cooperation might solve the Syria tragedy if the US would not insist in having its own way about the future leadership.
It is naïve to think that the US can make powerful countries in other parts of the world do what we want them to do. Diplomacy is the only way to hope to come up with a palatable balance in a fragile world. In today’s world military force can’t work as it did in WW II.
2
Sadam was on our pay roll for years, fighting Iran at our behest. Once he thumb-nosed Old-man-Bush, hell broke lose, Bush egos were bamboozled. George W. shafted Sadam, used our Ambassador April Gulisspi to convey a mixed message to Sadam re: his attack on Kuwait (which historically was a part Iraq), then Dubya had the stupid nerve to hang way up on the jail wall his own photo to tantalize Sadam before his execution. This evil father and son team is now pushing their little boy Bush to run for our Presidency, as a pay back for helping Dubya become a president. THEY HAVE NO SHAME. They got us in this mess, and THEY should be tried in the court of Law.
while the US plays in democracy in Libya, Iraq, Syria, etc. - Millions of people were killed.
The Islamic State terror and the civil war in Syria seem to be the biggest destabilising factors threatening global peace and stability today, as to be seen in tens of thousands being slaughtered in Syria/ Iraq, and millions more being displaced causing an unprecedented flood of refugees inundating the European shores. The master key to solve this complex Syrian conundrum, in particular, and the Middle East turmoil lies with the US and Russia as they happen to be the main players and rest of the forces their proxies in the region. The US President Obama and the Russian President Putin, whatever their differences should seize the moment and join hands, like on the Iran nuclear deal, to seek a peaceful diplomatic solution to the Syrian crisis. The UN should play an active supportive role at that. The UN General Assembly session may be the right neutral forum for the task.
5
And before that it Libya, Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and of course Israel. It clear this president has no clear vision or plan to extract the world from this mess.
2
"The master key to solve this complex Syrian conundrum, in particular, and the Middle East turmoil lies with the US and Russia as they happen to be the main players"
I thought the Syrian and Iraqis were the main players. My bad.
I thought the Syrian and Iraqis were the main players. My bad.
I have no great regard for Putin, but he is right.
The intervention by the Coalition forces in Iraq and Libya has proven a disaster. The strong but unacceptable dictators have been removed and now there is mayhem.
The USA and the West simply cannot understand the concept of democracy will never be embraced by middle east countries. It simply does not fit.
Assad is highly undesirable, but a better alternative to Isis.
The intervention by the Coalition forces in Iraq and Libya has proven a disaster. The strong but unacceptable dictators have been removed and now there is mayhem.
The USA and the West simply cannot understand the concept of democracy will never be embraced by middle east countries. It simply does not fit.
Assad is highly undesirable, but a better alternative to Isis.
59
They, even in Sharia law, have "fairness" even democratic tendencies. It's just that their expression of democracy and fairness is far different than ours. So I guess We Are Right (WAR) and they are wrong.
Let's all eat humble pie and get together to destroy the ISIS. There is no use crying over spilled milk. There is blame to go all around. But we can together stanch the scourge, which is the ISIS. There is more of a possibility to rout the ISIS with an all round effort than it is with Russia supporting Assad or us trying to train and arm the moderates especially when we cannot identify them. This could also perhaps solve the refugee crisis, with each country pitching in, instead of just being critical of Europe for it's inability to cope. Maybe, there is still hope. For repeating the same endeavors over and over, expecting a different result is stupidity and a fool's errand.
3
Why bother? ISIS or Ashad or the Islamic Brotherhood there is little or no difference to those on the ground. ISIS is built on the model of warfare developed by Iran for insurgencies. This chicken has come home to roost.
Bush got us into this mess and Obama did nothing to help the opposition until it was too late. I would not like to see Putin have great influence in the Middle East but maybe he is the man necessary to do something effective to fight the enemy.
3
Syria was at peace when Bush Left, The Arab Spring deteriorated into the Syrian civil war - Not Obama's fault but it did.
4
I vote we let Vlad handle it.
The US has had enough of the Persian Wars and Afghanistan and ISIS and Libya and Egypt and Iraq and Yemen and Syria and Baltimore.
Vlad can do it and we will give moral support. Go Vlad, go. We love you.
The US has had enough of the Persian Wars and Afghanistan and ISIS and Libya and Egypt and Iraq and Yemen and Syria and Baltimore.
Vlad can do it and we will give moral support. Go Vlad, go. We love you.
13
Perfect. Maybe we can build a couple of roads, pave a few million of them and make a few bridges structurally sound, and while we are at - educate our kids and help those kids in Baltimore have a more promising future! Go Vlad!
I am so proud to have Obama as my president. I just wish my fellow citizens had one ounce of intelligence. There truly is no hope when a man of this stature is denigrated and ridiculed. The dark nature of humanity infects all of us, it seems some more than others.
328
POTUS us a very nice man and that doesn't mean that all of his polcies are seen as effective by everybody but by insulting other posters saying that they don't have one ounce of intelligence you and denigrating and ridiculing them.
8
Perhaps if y'all stopped screaming incoherently at the President, and quit rewriting history to suit bizarre purposes?
Harry, I agree with you. There are too many Americans who would prefer the fake toughness of Putin, who can always depend on Russian peasants who have been used to propping up their leaders for centuries, to keep him in power in spite of a faltering economy.
Think of how different the world would be today if the US had supported the USSR's effort to modernize Afghanistan.
112
Through the USSR's liberal use of the Hind helicopter?
2
If your definition of modernize means occupation, suppression and imperialism.
1
The USSR invaded Afghanistan to “modernize” it? Just liked it invaded Czechoslovakia and Hungary to “liberate” them from the tyranny of political democracy and a free press?
1
Our relationship with Russia should be deeper and more cooperative than it has been. Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev worked together hand in hand to make the world a safer place. All that effort thrown away over poor decisions and no communication.
I did not support President Obama for office, however, I absolutely thought he would do a better job than I have witnessed. Putin has done for Russia what is correct and within the Russian sphere of influence. Our country in trying to punish Russia has punished the world.
Le us go beyond our parochial interests and work with strong partners to achieve our desired results, not with the vacillating group of countries known as Nato and Europe.
I did not support President Obama for office, however, I absolutely thought he would do a better job than I have witnessed. Putin has done for Russia what is correct and within the Russian sphere of influence. Our country in trying to punish Russia has punished the world.
Le us go beyond our parochial interests and work with strong partners to achieve our desired results, not with the vacillating group of countries known as Nato and Europe.
18
"Our relationship with Russia should be deeper and more cooperative than it has been."
At one time, there was talk of a Grand Alliance of the US, Russia and India against a militant Islamic Caliphate, but Obama destroyed US / Russian relations. Hopefully the next US president will be able to improve them.
At one time, there was talk of a Grand Alliance of the US, Russia and India against a militant Islamic Caliphate, but Obama destroyed US / Russian relations. Hopefully the next US president will be able to improve them.
1
Overweening hubris in the White House, particularly in foreign affairs, gets people killed. When an inexperienced President who thinks he's the smartest guy in the room starts playing hunches outside his depth, and surrounds himself with amateurish political sycophants instead of a knowledgeable and experienced national security apparatus, you get the current set of disasters. At this point, the best we can probably do is hope that the President figures out how not to make it worse and that the next president is a experienced adult with a modicum of humility and common sense.
11
Gee, you mean like Jeb Bush?
and just who might that competent leader be among the folks running for president, other than Bernie, possibly?
2
You are of course speaking of George W. Bush and his chosen coterie of "amateurish political sycophants" (otherwise known as the chicken hawk neocon contingent). Well said!
1
The other night on Bill Mahr's show, John Cleese hit the nail on the head when he summarized the state of the world in one word: Hopeless.
If, instead of the UN's empty chairs talking without end in circles that go nowhere other than letting each of them getting to hear the sound of their own voices translated into different languages, they just shut up and conceded the inevitable, people around the world would give up pinning their hopes on some imaginary myth of organized world peace and just make what's real for themselves on their own and without the interference of ineffectual politicians.
If, instead of the UN's empty chairs talking without end in circles that go nowhere other than letting each of them getting to hear the sound of their own voices translated into different languages, they just shut up and conceded the inevitable, people around the world would give up pinning their hopes on some imaginary myth of organized world peace and just make what's real for themselves on their own and without the interference of ineffectual politicians.
3
The United States has provided more fighters for ISIS than against it. Our efforts to train "moderates" is pitiful. Now we have only the choice between Assad (horrible) and ISIS (worse.) We must work with the Russians and Iranians to defeat ISIS and then worry about Assad.
151
Folks in region are leaving Assad's government and joining the jihad ISIS forces to overthrow his rule and start a new nation..... I'd stay out of it and let the folks over there figure things out...it's theirs to destroy or build.
1
Under Assad Christian and ALL religions are free and safe to practice their religion. Women are free to drive, get educated, and not cover up as the grotesque practice forces women in lawless Saudi Arabia, our "free" ally against Assad. Who are we kidding? Nobody takes us seriously.
You can't do one without the other because Assad unites all the opposition. From ISIS to everyone else. The Russians have to install someone else who the opposition will negotiate with or watch this situation get more dire for their client state IMO.
In my book, Putin will never have the stature of Gaddafi, Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro or Che Guevara. But he's still one of the most dynamic world leaders of our generation. I wish he could be my President instead of that lying, cowardly jackal, Obama.
David Blomstrom, Candidate for Washington State Governor, www.governor5.com
David Blomstrom, Candidate for Washington State Governor, www.governor5.com
4
I suspect the ability to control Russia since 1999 has probably involved a lot more lying and jackal-like behavior than the amateur, Obama. He could be your President if you had the guts to move to that beacon of freedom, Russia.
Whatever it takes, ISIS has to be destroyed. And if takes Putin, so be it!
9
Even if it requires the use of tactical nuclear weapons to do so.
You don't honestly believe Putin would stoop to those measures do you?
We are making the same mistake the British did. The British tried to play kingmaker in the middle east and south Asia and created many of the conflicts we see today. It is a tragedy that people fail to realize over and over again that domestic conflicts cannot be solved by outsiders militarily.
6
the world needs to do anything they can to stop this all these people keep dying for nothing and it needs to be stopped as soon as possible
1
"the twin crises it has helped spawn: the unyielding spread of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, and the surge of refugees"
This overlooks the vast spread of al Qaeda. We fought for a very long time in Afghanistan justifying that to prevent re-establishment there of al Qaeda, only now to see it re-established and vastly enlarged in Syria and Iraq.
This also overlooks the vast suffering inside Syria and Iraq. They count too.
This overlooks the vast spread of al Qaeda. We fought for a very long time in Afghanistan justifying that to prevent re-establishment there of al Qaeda, only now to see it re-established and vastly enlarged in Syria and Iraq.
This also overlooks the vast suffering inside Syria and Iraq. They count too.
6
Mr. Putin left obama an open field to paint his own image on the ME for the last three years - The refugees streaming by the millions originating from Afghanistan to Libya - is the proof of his personal failure.
Europe paid the ultimate price --- chaos. The entire obama foreign policy organization should resign from Samantha Power to the rest in Washington.
The vilification of Mr Putin since the Sochi Olympics by this administration and more importantly the NYT - has been outrageous and shameful - An apology is in order on the Editorial Page - before He leaves town.
Europe paid the ultimate price --- chaos. The entire obama foreign policy organization should resign from Samantha Power to the rest in Washington.
The vilification of Mr Putin since the Sochi Olympics by this administration and more importantly the NYT - has been outrageous and shameful - An apology is in order on the Editorial Page - before He leaves town.
79
Why apologize? Putin may be "right"/strategically correct about Syria but the guy is a near dictator and should be called out on it. Nothing shameful there.
"the guy (Putin) is a near dictator.." Says who? Your media? Did you ask the Russian people? Ah, 88% of 140 million of Russians seem to like him. But what do we, Americans, care about what the Russian people think who there leader should be? We, the Americans, are exceptional, therefore we call the shots. As we did in Iraq, Lybia, now trying for the past 4 years in Syria, to free these poor oppressed people of the dictator Assad. Never mind those people voted for Assad recently. We just keep on dropping our democratic bombs until Assad falls. Then there will be no unified Syria, no government, no future, millions dead and displaced, but Hey! We overthrew Assad!
1
What if the Russians are right?
Can I say that?
I just did.
Can I say that?
I just did.
180
Poor Barack...the most ineffective, unrespected US president in many decades. "Impotent" comes to mind.
“The general thrust was, if the Russians are going to be more engaged in the theater, we have to deconflict militarily and have a political way forward,” a senior State Department official said of the meeting, speaking on the condition of anonymity under the agency’s rules for briefing reporters. “We’re just at the beginning of trying to understand what Russian intentions are in Syria, in Iraq, and to try to see if there are mutually beneficial ways forward here.”
The general thrust in the White House was, "What just happened...again?"
“The general thrust was, if the Russians are going to be more engaged in the theater, we have to deconflict militarily and have a political way forward,” a senior State Department official said of the meeting, speaking on the condition of anonymity under the agency’s rules for briefing reporters. “We’re just at the beginning of trying to understand what Russian intentions are in Syria, in Iraq, and to try to see if there are mutually beneficial ways forward here.”
The general thrust in the White House was, "What just happened...again?"
8
We are so clueless in our sense of what is going on in the world. Imagine what will happen when we "trust" the Iranians to police their own nuclear arsenal ....
5
I have great respect for Putin despite all the western propaganda trying to cast him as an "enemy" of democracy, and a wily, unsavory character when he is not any of those things. He has consistently supported Assad because he's right: every ME nation that has suffered the overthrow of established governments has turned into a quagmire of poverty, chaos, fear and violence. And if I had to speculate, I would say that certain western interests involved in the toppling of Middle Eastern established governments did so in with the objective of crippling those countries both socially and militarily through dysfunction and poverty. The objective was to make a more pliable, grateful atmosphere for western oil interests and Israeli domination. It's impossible not to notice how the declared Middle Eastern enemies of the west are always countries with governments that won't kowtow to western interests or Israeli demands.
Assad in not our enemy. Syria was a civilized country with a functioning, educated population until the U.S. undermined his regime. Iraq, Yemen and Libya were stable countries until the west interfered both militarily and by fomenting rebellion, probably through the CIA. Regardless, I think that President Obama is starting to realize the value of being a more honest broker on global affairs, and rejecting selfish and often evil militant interests. Given the alarm in the rise of ISIS, it's time to work with Russia as equals for the sake of peace and sanity.
Assad in not our enemy. Syria was a civilized country with a functioning, educated population until the U.S. undermined his regime. Iraq, Yemen and Libya were stable countries until the west interfered both militarily and by fomenting rebellion, probably through the CIA. Regardless, I think that President Obama is starting to realize the value of being a more honest broker on global affairs, and rejecting selfish and often evil militant interests. Given the alarm in the rise of ISIS, it's time to work with Russia as equals for the sake of peace and sanity.
385
So I guess you felt great about Putin's forces shooting down the Malaysian jetliner over the Ukraine because, heck, he's just misunderstood and maligned by the US press?
Or Assad shouldn't be held accountable for war crimes against his own people such as using chemical weapons and cluster bombs in highly populated areas because, gee, anyone would have done the same thing in his position?
Or Assad shouldn't be held accountable for war crimes against his own people such as using chemical weapons and cluster bombs in highly populated areas because, gee, anyone would have done the same thing in his position?
12
Dont forget the "elephant in the room", the saudi sunni wahabbis and the house of saud with all the oil money
23
Ay yes, those Israeli demands. The demand not to be killed and the desire to live in peace. Those are their only demands. But some feel the desire not to be expelled and/ or killed is just so unreasonable when proffered by Israelis.
6
Obama over-learned the lesson from the invasion of Iraq. He is a complete and utter failure in the Middle East and areas nearby.
In Iraq, Obama didn't leave a residual force and let Al Qaeda arise from the ashes to be reborn as ISIS, which quickly overtook Iraq's second largest city Mosul. Just 200 special ops troops spotting for our bombers would have prevented ISIS from taking over Mosul. Thousands of American troops thus were lost in vain.
In Libya, Obama intervened, overthrew a government and the result is chaos, mass emigration to Europe, and ISIS overtaking the remnants.
In Syria, Obama drew a redline and stands meekly by as Assad (a tiny tin-pot dictator) stomps all over it. Syria is a disaster with ISIS largely in control. Assad killed thousands of children with WMDs (the redline) yet Obama flailed everywhere for an out, eventually settling for Russia. Of course Russia understandably took this as weakness, which brings us to Ukraine.
In Ukraine, Russia invades Europe and massacres an airliner full of civilians and Obama does nothing (a couple minor sanctions in comparison to an invasion counts as nothing).
In Iran, Obama gives us a horrible deal. Everyone (including the Iranians) knew that Obama was going to eventually sign some deal , so we had little leverage at any point.
All in all, a complete embarrassment. And I say this with regret as I voted for him.
In Iraq, Obama didn't leave a residual force and let Al Qaeda arise from the ashes to be reborn as ISIS, which quickly overtook Iraq's second largest city Mosul. Just 200 special ops troops spotting for our bombers would have prevented ISIS from taking over Mosul. Thousands of American troops thus were lost in vain.
In Libya, Obama intervened, overthrew a government and the result is chaos, mass emigration to Europe, and ISIS overtaking the remnants.
In Syria, Obama drew a redline and stands meekly by as Assad (a tiny tin-pot dictator) stomps all over it. Syria is a disaster with ISIS largely in control. Assad killed thousands of children with WMDs (the redline) yet Obama flailed everywhere for an out, eventually settling for Russia. Of course Russia understandably took this as weakness, which brings us to Ukraine.
In Ukraine, Russia invades Europe and massacres an airliner full of civilians and Obama does nothing (a couple minor sanctions in comparison to an invasion counts as nothing).
In Iran, Obama gives us a horrible deal. Everyone (including the Iranians) knew that Obama was going to eventually sign some deal , so we had little leverage at any point.
All in all, a complete embarrassment. And I say this with regret as I voted for him.
151
Obama didn't leave a residual force in Iraq because he was honoring the agreement GWBush signed with the Iraqui government.
7
Hmm. Why do I think you probably didn't vote for him?
1
There was never, before the invasion or after, any realistic scenario in which Iraq without Sadam would not dissolve into civil war, or in which our intervention would not have served the purposes of terrorist groups.
5
The focus to eliminate ISIS and its kind is far more important to civilized countries than the need to oust Assad.
The coalition of Russia, Iraq, Iran and Syria to combat the Sunni terrorism is Machiavellian to be sure, but the key issue is whether that alliance will snuff out the ISIS terrorists. Eliminating ISIS and the clandestine apparatus of private, religious and government funding of ISIS by Sunni extremists will do more to end the exodus of Middle Easterners from their native lands.
A decade after W's war of ambition, after the neo Cons' demonstrated failure of occupation and pacification of the region, after the radicalization of the so-called "Arab spring," the harboring of bin Laden and his cronies by Pakistan, the attacks by Pakistan's terror proxies into India, and the rise of ISIS level barbarism, it should be evident to the world that further support of Sunni theocracies is just dumb. It's not even effective from a geo political standpoint. It's just dumb.
So we now have a world where the US is reducing its military and spending profile in the Middle East while Russia is increasing its own, albeit on a much smaller scale. Good.
Rest assured that the Shiite alliances with Russia will prove just as transitory as once the Machiavellian necessity of the moment wears off. Shiite theocrats, like their Sunni counterparts, if they are honest to their religious tenants, find the atheistic Russians just as much a people of "non believers" as they do Americans.
The coalition of Russia, Iraq, Iran and Syria to combat the Sunni terrorism is Machiavellian to be sure, but the key issue is whether that alliance will snuff out the ISIS terrorists. Eliminating ISIS and the clandestine apparatus of private, religious and government funding of ISIS by Sunni extremists will do more to end the exodus of Middle Easterners from their native lands.
A decade after W's war of ambition, after the neo Cons' demonstrated failure of occupation and pacification of the region, after the radicalization of the so-called "Arab spring," the harboring of bin Laden and his cronies by Pakistan, the attacks by Pakistan's terror proxies into India, and the rise of ISIS level barbarism, it should be evident to the world that further support of Sunni theocracies is just dumb. It's not even effective from a geo political standpoint. It's just dumb.
So we now have a world where the US is reducing its military and spending profile in the Middle East while Russia is increasing its own, albeit on a much smaller scale. Good.
Rest assured that the Shiite alliances with Russia will prove just as transitory as once the Machiavellian necessity of the moment wears off. Shiite theocrats, like their Sunni counterparts, if they are honest to their religious tenants, find the atheistic Russians just as much a people of "non believers" as they do Americans.
4
Russia, Iraq, Syria and Iran have reached an agreement to fight ISIS. Is there even the remotest possibility that we could just let them? How brave and unique a move would that be. NOT to get involved for a change.
As a realist I doubt that this could happen. Four egomaniacal men pounding their chests against a terror organization. I can't imagine the military leaders of this nation allowing these men to strut their stuff upon the world stage without getting involved. You don't get to be a major player in the U.S. Defense dept. by being a pacifist. But it sure would be refreshing to see. Might be the best solution all the way around.
As a realist I doubt that this could happen. Four egomaniacal men pounding their chests against a terror organization. I can't imagine the military leaders of this nation allowing these men to strut their stuff upon the world stage without getting involved. You don't get to be a major player in the U.S. Defense dept. by being a pacifist. But it sure would be refreshing to see. Might be the best solution all the way around.
19
Let's see now. The President has thus far succeeded in empowering Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, Assad, Russia and China, while ISIS runs amok, Lebanon and Jordan fill with refugees, and Iraq dissolves into its component parts.
But for his dubious victory over Netanyahu, he
would be bereft of things to brag about.
Some record, some legacy.
But for his dubious victory over Netanyahu, he
would be bereft of things to brag about.
Some record, some legacy.
5
None of that springs from the mindless invasion and 9-year occupation of Iraq by a brutal fool whose legacy it was to let Obama capture Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, does it.
Thank you for clarifying that.
Thank you for clarifying that.
5
Most countries that wage war run out of arms and munition quite rapidly. An industrial military complex is necessary for sustaining any kind of war over the long term. The Afghan mujaheddin needed a fairly endless supply of resources from the US, funneled to them via Pakistan (which kept most of the money and arms anyway).
Yet we are fighting these forces with no navy, no air force, no drones, no real access to communication technology or intelligence for 15 years. Taxes, oil, and abandoned munition does not explain their ability to thrive. Yes we paid a lot of money to people to not shoot at us, but neither is that a full explanation.
It is Saudi Arabian and Emirati cash. They buy and pay for ever IED, bullet, RPG, gun, and bomb used against us, pay for the training and upkeep of the Taliban, AQ, and to a great extent, ISIS.
Russia is not interested in a solution; Russia is interested in gaining control and leading in an environment that no one controls or leads. I welcome their intervention; not as a way of gaining their cooperation - but as a way for us to exit that entire theater. I really have had enough of seeing our boys and girls, and our coin wasted in that region. If Russians want in, let us greet them as liberators and vacate rapidly. One crazy might defeat the other.
This will not be their second Afghanistan, this will be their second Chechnya.
Kalidan
Kalidan
Yet we are fighting these forces with no navy, no air force, no drones, no real access to communication technology or intelligence for 15 years. Taxes, oil, and abandoned munition does not explain their ability to thrive. Yes we paid a lot of money to people to not shoot at us, but neither is that a full explanation.
It is Saudi Arabian and Emirati cash. They buy and pay for ever IED, bullet, RPG, gun, and bomb used against us, pay for the training and upkeep of the Taliban, AQ, and to a great extent, ISIS.
Russia is not interested in a solution; Russia is interested in gaining control and leading in an environment that no one controls or leads. I welcome their intervention; not as a way of gaining their cooperation - but as a way for us to exit that entire theater. I really have had enough of seeing our boys and girls, and our coin wasted in that region. If Russians want in, let us greet them as liberators and vacate rapidly. One crazy might defeat the other.
This will not be their second Afghanistan, this will be their second Chechnya.
Kalidan
Kalidan
14
it is also the USA propping up ISIS via the rebels.
We send weapons, munitions and cash to the rebels of our choice via the CIA.
Then these rebels turn around, sell their weapons and ammo, or just plain hand them over, together with their cash. Then we give them some more.
This we need to stop doing now.
Russia wants what Russia wants. Just like the USA does what it wants. Neither country respect the sovereignty of other countries. The only difference is Russia has boots on the ground, ready to play Terminator on ISIS. The USA just wants to talk about it. Let Russia take the lead. Or else, keep talking about it while people die.
We send weapons, munitions and cash to the rebels of our choice via the CIA.
Then these rebels turn around, sell their weapons and ammo, or just plain hand them over, together with their cash. Then we give them some more.
This we need to stop doing now.
Russia wants what Russia wants. Just like the USA does what it wants. Neither country respect the sovereignty of other countries. The only difference is Russia has boots on the ground, ready to play Terminator on ISIS. The USA just wants to talk about it. Let Russia take the lead. Or else, keep talking about it while people die.
3
anybody want to bet that the Americans will underhandedly do all they can to make things as difficult as possible for the Russians in Syria, out of their national rivalry, if not just out of common spite? Will they even support ISIS after a point if the Russians enjoy too much success?
3
Sure will, just like the CIA did in Afghanistan, and countless other places.
But remember, the CIA is beyond the reach of the law, domestic or international.
But remember, the CIA is beyond the reach of the law, domestic or international.
1
Why has the media, in general, stopped reporting the total death toll in Syria? Too embarrassed? Too ashamed of their part in this tragedy? Certainly the Obama administration is not too embarrassed and ashamed to allow this great humanitarian crisis to continue. I salute the Secretary General for calling out the nations, including the United States, who could have put an end to this years and hundreds of thousands of innocent dead and millions of displaced persons ago.
Years in the making, destroyed Syria will be decades in the fixing. And the humanitarian crisis will continue.
Years in the making, destroyed Syria will be decades in the fixing. And the humanitarian crisis will continue.
31
Please describe President Obama's policy for ISIS and Syria. Anyone?
19
Step one: make it up as you go along.
Step two: repeat step one.
Step two: repeat step one.
7
Step one: pull thumb from ear.
Step two: suck thumb.
Step two: suck thumb.
1
Nothing will come of it. Reading all the comments from American officials yesterday regarding news of Iraq sharing intelligence with Russia, Iran and Syria to combat ISIS, it is very clear America is more interested in topple Assad than stopping ISIS. And dare I say some are hoping ISIS do the job for them.
27
As someone who voted for Obama twice and has stuck by him and defended him against being called weak I have to say over the last year to year and a half Obama seems to have lost his spine in regards to foreign policy. I hate to say it be in this last year, especially in regards to Russia, Obama has projected American weakness. He seems to be unable to break from some ideological perspective, that the world really wants to get along, and seem to think showing weakness is a type of strength. I sadly wonder if this is the real Obama and the tough one was just a front to get elected and reelected? We need stronger leaders with the ability to confront and beat Russia
8
We don't need to beat Russia but we do need Obama to grow a spine to keep his house in order. The current fallout with Russia and China happened because someone lower down than Obama decided to take matter into their own hands and lit fire everywhere. So far the US haven't got a thing over Ukraine and South East Asia but it sure agitated Russia and China. The worst part, Russia and China don't want to talk to Obama because they know he is already a lame duck.
3
Western countries should find first who will fill the of power vacuum in Iraq and Syria after ISIS and start the meeting with an solemn atonement about their role in this unspeakable chaos and tragedy.
1
Who? that's very easy.
Iraq - Iraq should fill the void there. Syria - Syria should. it's their countries, why would we dictate who rules there?
Let's not give another excuse for why we should do nothing in Syria, like we have done so far.
Iraq - Iraq should fill the void there. Syria - Syria should. it's their countries, why would we dictate who rules there?
Let's not give another excuse for why we should do nothing in Syria, like we have done so far.
3
Many missed opportunities because of an all or nothing approach. Deciding if Assad should stay or go should be a decision made by the Syrian people, not by countries like the US, Turkey, or France, which have ulterior motives. US foreign policy has dwindled down to putting the interests of corporations to "open markets and promote democracy" rather than compromising and negotiating for peace. Sadly, the war cannot end; there are too many interests.
177
Syria made that decision, that's why there is an ongoing civil war there. It has less to do with us than many people would like.
The Syrian people have voted.
With their feet.
With their feet.
The people of Syria are indeed deciding if Assad should stay or go, and the formal title of that process is called Civil War with hundreds of thousands more to be slaughtered. The United States went through this in 1860-64, and the mid-East is going through it now, nation by nation.
A real, live game of thrones. Not much fun, is it?
4
So the people who are responsible for creating all of the current World problems are meeting to discuss how to solve the very problems they created.
Should be an interesting dynamic.
Should be an interesting dynamic.
12
How true!
True, but who else would you suggest instead?
2
The world needs an international army made up from US, UK, France, Russia and China that will supersede national interests in the face of genocides.
No more do we need to listen to the rich of each nation on how the world should be run.
Another point to be made is that Turkey, Iran. Saudi Arabia and Israel, have utterly failed to help Syria and just watch them getting slaughtered. Shame on them and shame on the UN for not acting so far.
No more do we need to listen to the rich of each nation on how the world should be run.
Another point to be made is that Turkey, Iran. Saudi Arabia and Israel, have utterly failed to help Syria and just watch them getting slaughtered. Shame on them and shame on the UN for not acting so far.
20
What does Israel have to do with this? Syria is an enemy. Since when does a country have to fix the problems in enemy's country? Israel has been treating civilian casualties for a long time. The Israeli ambulances pick up people by the border and treats them in Israeli hospitals for free. The Syrians who return have to keep it a secret that they have been to Israel for medical treatment.
Shame on the surrounding Muslim countries for not doing anything constructive but this is not Israel's fight. I knew that somehow Israel would be blamed for this.
Shame on the surrounding Muslim countries for not doing anything constructive but this is not Israel's fight. I knew that somehow Israel would be blamed for this.
7
@ M in NC:
NEWSFLASH !! What you called for with such inspired wisdom, "an international army" is... ... the UN Dept of Peacekeeping.
As a serving Marine and someone who did an assignment at UNHQ, combined in numbers btw the score of UNDPKO deployments around the glove, IS the largest deployed force today in hot-spots. That was true during the heights of the IRQ and AFG wars, and is even more so today.
You know not of what ye speak. Literally, 100,000s of troops from the 110 TCC (troop-contributing-countries) are and have been deployed since 1945.
NEWSFLASH !! What you called for with such inspired wisdom, "an international army" is... ... the UN Dept of Peacekeeping.
As a serving Marine and someone who did an assignment at UNHQ, combined in numbers btw the score of UNDPKO deployments around the glove, IS the largest deployed force today in hot-spots. That was true during the heights of the IRQ and AFG wars, and is even more so today.
You know not of what ye speak. Literally, 100,000s of troops from the 110 TCC (troop-contributing-countries) are and have been deployed since 1945.
4
Did you just invent the UN Security Council?
7
To prop up Assad, Putin will suggest US - Russia moves against ISIS.
Putin has, and continues, to outwit and outmaneuver Obama, who thinks that his lectures and moral arrogance will protect US interests and the world.
Putin has, and continues, to outwit and outmaneuver Obama, who thinks that his lectures and moral arrogance will protect US interests and the world.
59
Would you be satisfied if Obama walked into the room and punched Putin in the nose?
You, and many others, harbor the delusion that the US is omnipotent. That the right leader can just impose his will on the world and, more specifically, Russia.
Read your history. Russian leaders have always done pretty much anything they wanted to do. Eisenhower couldn't stop the Soviet Union from invading Hungary. Johnson couldn't keep them from invading Czechoslovakia. Clinton couldn't keep Russia out of Chechnya. Your hero George W. Bush couldn't keep them out of Georgia.
You, and many others, harbor the delusion that the US is omnipotent. That the right leader can just impose his will on the world and, more specifically, Russia.
Read your history. Russian leaders have always done pretty much anything they wanted to do. Eisenhower couldn't stop the Soviet Union from invading Hungary. Johnson couldn't keep them from invading Czechoslovakia. Clinton couldn't keep Russia out of Chechnya. Your hero George W. Bush couldn't keep them out of Georgia.
436
Well said. Took the words right out of my mouth.
5
As entertaining as flying fists might be to watch - and a real exciting departure from the usual tedium of scripted diplomacy - I doubt that will happen as Obama just doesn't seem like the type to resort to republican theatrical tactics. I guess we'll just have to be stuck watching a repeat of the Bobby Fisher/Boris Spasky staring contest.
8
From one article (WSJ): “The utter failure of Western policy in both Libya and Syria has to be seen for what it is: not just a political blunder but a humanitarian crime.” The Syrian civil war has produced well over 5 million displaced persons and over 240,000 deaths. "In May last year [2012], Senator Rand Paul was one of the first to speculate … weapons being trafficked to terrorists in Syria as part of the United States’ proxy war against the Assad regime." (GlobalResearch.) The Obama administration admitted in congressional testimony that it had funneled over 600 tons of weapons to Islamist fighters in Syria, claiming that this wasn’t illegal arms trafficking by citing a ten year old congressional authorization given to the Bush administration for the war in Afghanistan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko5W_1Y47O8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko5W_1Y47O8
59
There is a lot of quarter backing going on here. The sad reality with ISIS is that it was born out of the Iraq invasion principally its leader who was detained by US led allied forces for some time. Then the Arab spring. If there are past lessons about opportunistic infections in failed states there are many Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Iraq etc. When bad governments fail they are replaced by ISIS or Al-qaeda. Who can bring peace to the middle east, its NOT the French or the EU and NOT the UN and definitely NOT the USA. All are compromised by their alliance with Israel and also they have for purposes of utility and other reasons sided with the Sunni sect of Islam. With that in mind who in the Shia world would want to be a friend of the USA?? So far no one. Obama has no one to side with in the military conflict in Syria where loyalties to are feeble or non-existent. The Obama approach has been messy but its the only rational choice. The Iraqis are going with the Iran, Syria and Russia alliance becoz it makes sense to them but an embarrassment to the USA yes it is. I do not agree with Donald trump but he is right to say let Putin deal with Syria. Russia and Iran are the only ones with a reliable although also very evil friend in Syria.
4