Barack Obama has once again shown that when it comes to matters of foreign policy, his is still dubious when it comes to affairs in the Middle East. Not only has Mitt Romney's recent criticism of the White House's official response to the death of four Americans, including a U.S. ambassador, attempted to call the President to task about where exactly he stands on a pivotal issue in the upcoming election, but Obama's own vacillation concerning whether Egypt should be considered a friend or ally of the United States has raised questions about whether the pacifist idealist is willing to take a stand against Muslim-controlled nations.
In a televised interview that will be aired on 60 Minutes, Obama said Romney "seems to have a tendency to shoot first, aim later," and called the Libyan episode a "broader lesson" about being commander-in-chief. It remains to be seen if Mr. Rogers Obama, himself, actually aimed after receiving news of the conflict, but he certainly did not shoot, issuing a milquetoast statement about sending over more marines to guard at risk embassies in the Middle East.
While Romney clearly could have waited a few hours before issuing his statement concerning the crisis, just seconds (60, in fact) after Americans finished commemorating the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11th attacks, and perhaps spoke a bit too impetuously in stating "It's a terrible course for America to stand in apology for our values" - a quote which could even be construed as anti-Muslim - Obama's wait and see approach, while safe politically, may not be in the best interests of our nation.
Like George W. Bush's much ridiculed, dilatory reaction following news of the 9/11 attacks, Obama also took some time to gather his thoughts before issuing a response. But, unlike Bush, the response that he gave left much to be desired when it comes to taking a stand against Muslim-affiliated terrorists in the Middle East. The death of Ambassador Stevens marked the first killing of a U.S. ambassador since 1979. It's timing, on the anniversary of one of the most tragic days in American history, is almost certainly not coincidental. This is a very big deal! and the underlying concerns it implicates are not going away any time soon.
The President's related response today to violent clashes at the US embassy in Cairo, Egypt, which by all accounts were a near aversion to what occurred in Libya, characteristically waffled: "I don't think we would consider [Egypt] an ally, but we don't consider them an enemy. They are a new government that is trying to find its way," Obama said. He elaborated that Egypt's government run by a member of the once-banned Muslim Brotherhood, has "said the right thing and taken the right steps" but it has also responded to other events in ways that "may not be aligned with our interests."
Hmm, sounds a lot like someone the American people (think they) know.
Beyond the mincing semantics of the President's foreign policy in the Middle East, the broader picture evidences Obama backing of the ouster of Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak last year (as well as appropriating more than $1 billion in military aid to Egypt every year he's been in office), and praise of Libya's election in July as a milestone in its post-Gaddafi transition. What the United States may have lost through these "ideologically sound" maneuvers is not only a strong Middle Eastern ally in Egypt's case, but also any semblance of control of Muslim terrorist factions which the formerly established leaders kept at bay.
Obama has consistently (and anti-colonialistically) pledged the United States will act as a partner to both Egypt and Libya and has opted for a cautious strategy that steers clear of a dominant role for the U.S. military in the Middle East, drawing criticism from Republican leadership at home for what was described as "leading from behind." While it remains unclear whether any of the four dead Americans in this conflict perished at the hands of gunfire in this incident, gun shots were heard inside the compound and Romney's most certainly was not the first one to issue them.
Citing his "dare to be middle class" economic platform and "we're all exceptional" (kumbaya) foreign policy, how a government led by Barack Obama will respond to the escalating imbroglio at home and abroad remains anyone's guess. Perhaps we should wait (another four years) and see?
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 9
Romney accused President Obama of "sympathizing" with the murderers and apologizing for American values, based on a statement the president never made.1
Even Republicans were shocked by Romney's response. "Just calling it a 'disgrace' doesn't really cut it," says a former John McCain aide.2 "It wasn't presidential," according to a former Bush State Department official.3
When faced with a national emergency, Romney rushed to judgment, acted rashly, lied to the American people, and put politics ahead of the national interest.
That's something voters need to consider when they decide who has the temperament to be Commander in Chief.
Here's what happened. In response to a clearly offensive amateur film defaming Islam, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo condemned efforts "to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims."4
In a misguided attempt to exploit the Libyan tragedy, Romney falsely attributed this statement to the White House, falsely claimed it was an apology, and falsely identified it as a response to the attacks, even though it was made before the attacks.5
In fact, while President Obama rightly rejected the denigration of religious beliefs, he strongly condemned the attacks, saying, "we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants."6
Americans are probably asking themselves today whether Romney failed a critical test of leadership. One senior Republican even called this Romney's "Lehman moment," in reference to Senator McCain's failure to act as a steady leader in response to the Lehman Brother's crisis in 2008.7
With a liar for a running mate I just can't vote for 'em.
Sources:
1. "Obama Condemns Attack That Kills Ambassador to Libya," The New York Times, September 12, 2012
2. "Foreign Policy Hands Voice Disbelief At Romney Cairo Statement," BuzzFeed, September 12, 2012
3. Ibid.
4. "An embassy statement, a tweet, and a major misunderstanding," The Washington Post, September 13, 2012
"Mitt Romney will never be president," Salon.com, September 12, 2012
5. Ibid.
6. "Obama Addresses Libya Attacks, Death of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens," The Huffington Post, September 12, 2012
7. "Foreign Policy Hands Voice Disbelief At Romney Cairo Statement," BuzzFeed, September 12, 2012
Here is my viewpoint on that issue: Manufactured Outrage
Apparently Willard Mitt Romney believes American Values are demonstrated best by a discredited small-time Florida Pastor, Terry Jones. In 2010, Jones' plan to set ablaze thousands of copies of the Muslim holy book on Sept. 11, a day he's dubbed International Burn a Koran Day.
The recently funded movie, "Innocence of Muslims," that mocks and insults the Prophet Muhammad caused demonstrators to attack a U.S. consulate in Libya, killing Four American, and breached the walls of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
While this small-time Pastor, Terry Jones is taking advantage of America's Constitutional protections of Free Speech and Freedom of Religion, his action have had world-wide disastrous effects which was the intention of this discredited small-time Florida Pastor, Terry Jones.
I believe Willard Mitt Romney's Religious teachings have the same intent in regards to how HE would conduct US Foriegn Policy around the world.
"For 31 years, Mitt Romney was taught to believe 'the Negro' is a cursed race. Not only was Cain called upon to suffer, but because of his wickedness he became the father of an inferior race. A curse placed upon him and that curse has been continued through his lineage and must do so while time endures."
"Not only does Willard Mitt Romney's religious teaching believe the off-spring of Cain have been cursed but, I believe he lumps both 'the Negro' and Arabs as descendants of Cain.
This world lives in a very dangerous period of time and I do not believe America should elect a Religious Zealot as Commander in Chief over our Military forces."