Pending Invasion

[tw]

Many of Obama's actions do not play well in the court of soundbytes. However he has been roundly successful (could not have done better) in some arenas where soundbyte logic is so critical.

For example, a Red Line in Syria was a stunning success. It has completely defanged Assad’s chemical weapons (except maybe in one location that even the Russians are suspicious of). Assad's chemical weapons are now something like 85% removed. A ten nation flotilla of naval ships will be protecting destruction of those weapons. The world got on board a solution, in part, because America did not take a Cheney 'big dic' attitude.

Another serious problem should have been addressed long ago. Other NATO nations are now so toothless than France and Britain had to go begging to the US even for bombs in the first week of operations in Libya. Obama is sending a clear message to many nations who then foolishly question America's resolve. Get your own military in order. America is not a first line of defense for Saudi Arabia, Turkey, or Japan. If these nations cannot defend themselves, then their conquest is their own fault. American may invade to liberate the nation much later. But America is not what so much of the world believes - the world's policemen.

Obama’s effort to fix this problem now has some foolishly questioning America’s resolve rather than address their own shortcomings. Although not discussed, even residents of Singapore should be listening to what Obama is saying.

Great nations solve problems diplomatically. Some of the world's greatest conquerors achieved greatest victories by negotiating; not by military confrontation. Rarely threatening with military force and not using it. But that reality does not play well in soundbyte logic where being a man is proven by fisticuffs.

Few appreciate future consequences if the Sprately, Scarborough Shoal, Parcel, Senkaku, Second Thomas Shoal, and other islands are not addressed now. Obama has apparently skillfully addressed those islands, got many parties for the first time to start talking, and did so by encouraging more positive engagement with China. By not making China feel isolated or encircled. That is also a major accomplishment little appreciated in soundbyte logic. Because it may have averted a problem so many will only understand when war breaks out. Many are still unaware of so many military confrontations over these islands including confinement of a Philippines Coast Guard ship by the Chinese Navy. And a military battle between Vietnam and China.

Obama's biggest failures are in image. He does not schmooze in a manner that so many domestic politicians want. Clinton was probably the master. George Sr was not that good at it. But all three were quite good presidents with various accomplishments and achievements. All three set America in a positive direction.

Little good can be said about George Jr. He was all image and zero substance. To ignore those eight disastrous years is to be naïve or ignorant. Anyone could have seen that coming by simply reading his 1999 autobiography "A Charge to Keep". Virtually unreadable with no structure or organization. All image.

He did great harm to the American military, economy, international respect, political relations, and integrity. He even endorsed extraordinary rendition and Nazi like torture. How does one destroy a budget surplus and create a massive government debt? How does one massacre 5000 American servicemen for no purpose? And still some foolishly admired him? Whereas Clinton would go to Vietnam and attract delighted thongs. George Jr went to Vietnam and was all but ignored. Almost nothing good to be said about one of the worst American presidents since Nixon. Unfortunately a majority did not see it when it was time to avert a tragedy.

Apparently even George Jr recognized the problem in his last year. Relations between he and Cheney have clearly soured.

Returning to the topic, a serious problem in Ukraine. Since a forceful American response is only possible when local ‘powers that be’ want that response. Europe does not want to antagonize the Bear. Only leader coming close to confronting the threat is Merkel. Even Germany has backed down as made bluntly obvious by their foreign minister Steinmeier. This is first and foremost a European problem. But soundbyte reasoning criticized Obama.

Eastern Ukraine will be annexed by Russia. That is a forgone conclusion. How much of Ukraine will be annexed is the remaining question. Russian military is operating a world class operation. A resulting civil war will probably be followed by a Russian occupation. We should be moving on to what will happen next. Moldova, Bulgaria, and Rumania are at risk. But at much greater risk is national sovereignty of the Baltics (Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania). Poland is quite adamant about the threat. I suspect after Moldova the Baltic states are next. And may capitulate in some manner. Since so much of Europe is so militarily toothless combined with weak leadership in Britain, France, and Italy.

Cheapshots from an obvious wacko extremist are irrelevant. He obviously has nothing useful to contribute - other than entertainment. The topic is Ukraine.