AllieBaba
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- Oct 2, 2007
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"So far, the Obama doctrine appears to be that American power should not be used at all. The ferry issue is one case in point. Instead of flexing American muscle as a signal to Gaddafi that we will not stand idly by if the regime threatens our people or interests, Obamas State Department hired a commercial ferry and selected an inadequate one for the job at first. That mistake left Americans waiting at the dock for days, while our mighty navy was given no role to play at all.
One cannot claim surprise at this outcome. During the campaign, Obama made no secret of his distaste for exercises of American power, blasting the Bush administration for its arrogance and promising to restore our relationships with allies and opponents alike overseas through greater humility. While readers puzzle over Allards question, allow me to ask another which international relationship has Obama improved in the past two years in real, tangible terms? Where has his exercise of smart power produced measurably better results in increased security or prosperity over that of his predecessors much-maligned (and mythical) unilateralism?
If there is an Obama doctrine at all and the vacillating White House responses to various overseas crises strongly suggest there isnt its that our allies will love us more and our enemies respect us more if we refuse to use our power for our own interests. Thats a standard belief in academia, but as we can see, what works well in theoretical environments doesnt necessarily make sense in the real world."
What is the Obama Doctrine? « Hot Air
One cannot claim surprise at this outcome. During the campaign, Obama made no secret of his distaste for exercises of American power, blasting the Bush administration for its arrogance and promising to restore our relationships with allies and opponents alike overseas through greater humility. While readers puzzle over Allards question, allow me to ask another which international relationship has Obama improved in the past two years in real, tangible terms? Where has his exercise of smart power produced measurably better results in increased security or prosperity over that of his predecessors much-maligned (and mythical) unilateralism?
If there is an Obama doctrine at all and the vacillating White House responses to various overseas crises strongly suggest there isnt its that our allies will love us more and our enemies respect us more if we refuse to use our power for our own interests. Thats a standard belief in academia, but as we can see, what works well in theoretical environments doesnt necessarily make sense in the real world."
What is the Obama Doctrine? « Hot Air