Related Posts

The Argument Against Extending ACA Subsidies
A Challenge to Liberals
They'll Be Sorry
Poisoning the Well
A Depressing Campaign
Assorted Links
Challenge Accepted
Purpose of Debate Moderator
This Is Fairness?
Questions I Wish the Media Would Ask
How Can Things Be So Different?
Here's a Surprise
Libertarians versus Liberals
President Obama Mischaracterizes Tax Burdens
Hurricane Katrina Analogy
Obama's Foreign Policy
It's Official. Obama Lied.
Obama's Foreign Policy Grading on a Curve

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Topic: Politics
Content Type: Opinion
Keywords: obama, foreign policy, syria

Obama's Foreign Policy Grading on a Curve

James Carroll believes, against public opinion, and even the prevailing media opinion, that President Obama is succeeding in foreign policy. His case? Syria is rid of chemical weapons. Well, bravo. Back before the re-election (before even Benghazi), I believed that Obama's foreign policy was poor and Romney should have gone after it. The fact of the matter was there wasn't a single ally that we had a better relationship with than when he took over (many saw relations decline), and the headway we'd made with our enemies had amounted to nothing.

He had arguably two accomplishments—capturing Bin Laden, which isn't really foreign policy and getting rid of Qaddafi. Libya hasn't worked out since.

Now, in his second term, things are more obvious. Few would argue that his foreign policy, if he has a coherent plan, has been successful.

Let's be clear, the fact that Syria no longer has chemical weapons is a success. It's a very good thing. Let's not forget, though, that Obama and Kerry sort of bungled their way into it. Also, concentrating on the chemical weapons allowed a civil war where more than 160,000 people have died to continue. It's not exactly a huge win here.