Maynard contemplates
You’ve heard the news of advances in Iranian missile and nuclear technology. George Bush had planned a missile shield to protect Europe from the growing threat, but those plans have now been shelved, apparently because of Russian objections. Meanwhile, Russia has been beefing up the Iranian military.
Obama is looking very much like an appeaser; a modern Neville Chamberlain. Critics argue that Obama’s cancellation of the missile shield will empower Russia and Iran.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and allow for the possibility that things are not quite as they seem, and that Obama may be acting for good reason. (Note that this is a Maynard post; Tammy and Pat may think I’m crazy.)
First of all, although I deplore Obama’s domestic policy, I’ve got some positive comments about his foreign policy. Prior to getting elected, Obama was consistent in asserting Afghanistan was not getting the attention it deserved. This was, in as much as I could understand these things, a correct assessment: The Taliban was rebuilding, and Bush-era control beyond Kabul was limited. The Taliban resurgence was a real problem, not one created by Obama’s weakness. Upon becoming president, Obama has been willing to launch military strikes against terrorist strongholds not only in Afghanistan, but in Pakistan and Somalia. So he understands there are times when the only thing to do with bad guys is blow them up.
Thus far, Obama has gone the extra mile to make nice with Iran. We regarded his efforts as stupid and dangerous, but I’ll concede that all paths are very dangerous, and war is a nasty thing. The real question is where the line in the sand is. Is there a point where we act (or allow Israel to act) militarily, or do we eventually shrug and accept Iran and its nuclear missiles?
Everybody understands a nuclear Iran would be a catastrophe. Either Iran would become the big dog that controls half the planet’s oil, or there would soon be a regional nuclear war. Nobody wants this, not even Iran’s erstwhile allies. (I’m thinking of Russia in particular. Keep in mind that Russia and Iran are, by nature and history, enemies rather than friends.)
If Obama is yielding to Russia on Europe’s missile defense, is he getting anything in return? I would hope the answer is yes. On a defensive point like this, I’ll hold open the possibility that Obama did indeed get something. But if so, what might that something be? If it exists, it would be a behind-the-scenes concession.
The buzz in the news is that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made a secret visit to Russia last week. This would suggest an attempt to come to terms with a vital ally of Iran.
It may be that what we’re seeing is a run-up to the much-anticipated Israeli strike on Iran. In preparation for such an event, it would be vital to have damage control prepared in advance, so as to contain the conflict. Making concessions to Russia in exchange for a pledge of minimal Russian reaction to an Israeli strike would be an essential part of that preparation. And a weakened Iran would quell the immediate need for the missile shield.
Have we witnessed a careful strategic move in a global chess game? Or has Obama merely made a pointless concession to our enemies? As much as I’m not fan of Obama, I’m not ruling out the former scenario.
False, and important!
Protection against Russia is what the Russians are claiming the shield is for. It is actually for protection against Iranian missiles. It is impossible to protect against Russian missiles with the comparatively small installations contemplated; they would be quickly and easily overwhelmed by the numbers and sophistication of Russian systems. But they would have some value against the numbers and types that Iran could field.
“(Note that this is a Maynard post; Tammy and Pat may think I’m crazy.) Well Maynard, after some contemplation on your contemplation – decided I’d stick with the other bitchdogs. O’Fool me once…blah blah blah WOOF.
About that “fool” thing…I’m not so sure it’s not what I am, but I can promise it’s not what I do. As for Tammy and Pat…well, let’s just say their bite is worse than their bark. A word to the wise…
Maynard – always willing to give u benefit of doubt, O-Hope has no chits left for that account. Oh, and re: Tammy and Pat – Woof-On, a good bitchdog knows how to snarl judiciously. Alpha dogs aren’t necessarily the meanest canines in the pack – but probably the wisest.
John Bolton on Glenn Beck today – said he thinks we gave this one away for nothing.
I think Obama believes it as a strategic move but in fact it is a useless concession. His worldview is imbued with the anti-American animus of the Left. America has been a bully and deserves to be hated. Poor Russia has been misunderstood and really wants peace if we will just stop threatening them. The Iranian nuke program is bravado that can be diffused by a handshake from a sincere American President.
If only reality had crashed through and Obama recognized the prospect of a leftist America isn’t enough to placate tyrants. We might then expect a change in his overall approach. That isn’t the case. He is panicked about time running out to implement his asinine plan to charm the world into happiness forever. Israel is not going to be pushed to the point of no return in accepting a nuclear Iran. This is life or death for them. They will act and Obama knows it.
His action is panic driven. We are rapidly approaching the decision point for Israel and there isn’t much chance for working in a friendly handshake with Iran before then. He needs Russian backing for the fig leaf of stronger sanctions against Iran to buy time. The Russians were disinclined to support stronger sanctions and the missile defense was the only leverage available to a weak America with a conciliatory President. We gave up something tangible and kicked Eastern Europe in the face. They would be fools to ever trust us again. They will now have to make concessions themselves in an attempt to dodge the bear’s claws. An unreliable friend is no friend at all.
I think the most that will come out of this deal is a Russian yes vote in the UN for harsher sanctions against Iran which will have no effect whatsoever. We gave up something for nothing. The real bullies of the world have us pegged. This administration has us in a death spiral. The economy is going to hell, the military is being bled dry, we won’t stand in the way of ambitious thugs. Obama will do more damage to America than any enemy we have ever known.
Just call him Neville Chamberlain Obama. In one day, he overturned much of what Reagan did in winning the Cold War. Just like in Iran and Honduras, he has sold freedom down the river in return for…….well, something.
Obama’s scrapping the missile shield might have to do with his father. “Read” me out.
Maybe he’s partial to Muslims because they represent his father. That’s why he defers to Muslim leaders [remember the bow to the Saudi king]. He praises Muslim cultural advances with superlatives, or erroneously credits them to Muslims [the speech at Cairo University earlier this year]. And rarely credits American culture or scientific advancement [during the 2008 campaign, Obama did acknowledge that only in America could his incredible story be lived]. Except for a few beneficial things, he rejects his mother: represented by America. And in stiffing the Poles, he just might imagine himself to be standing up to his father’s enemies. He gets back at the Europeans, who would also have benefited from the missile shield, for not being overrun by Muslims centuries ago. One cannot ignore that that is not the case today. Charles Martel must be spinning in his grave.
So now, Obama’s getting back at the Poles because they helped the Austrians defeat the Muslims [Ottoman Turks, Tartars, Maylays] at the Battle of Vienna in 1683. The fact that this man announced the scrapping of the missile shield on the 70th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Poland is simply salt on the wound. A sort of, “So there!”
G-d help us all.
I think Ohblahmah is the equivalent of a Jr. High Student Council President who schedules “mock UN” type assemblies for his foreign policy fantasies, and we are seeing him play out his fantastical, moronic moves. Though he has history and insight and intel at his fingertips, his ego thinks that his faux-noble higher calling buys him some sort of pass and these kinds of strategic moves will WOW even the most evil power players in the very scary world as somehow productive and visionary… he has absolutely no grip or understanding of the machinations involved in world negotiations. Just one girls opinion.