Research Briefing

Whither Obama’s Credibility With The World?

“As He Takes The Stage To Address The United Nations For The First Time Wednesday, Obama Will Face World Leaders -- Adversaries And Allies Alike -- Whose Rebukes Of The New American President Serve As Reminders That The World's Differences With The United States Transcend Who Is In The White House.” (Michael D. Shear and Howard Schneider, “Obama's Worldwide Star Power Finds Limits, Skepticism Abroad Echoes Doubt At Home,” The Washington Post, 9/20/09)

LAST WEEK OBAMA BROKE HIS PLEDGE TO EASTERN EUROPEAN ALLIES

In April, Obama Pledged To Go Forward With Missile Defense System To Protect U.S. And Our Eastern European Allies. “So let me be clear: Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile activity poses a real threat, not just to the United States, but to Iran's neighbors and our allies. The Czech Republic and Poland have been courageous in agreeing to host a defense against these missiles. As long as the threat from Iran persists, we will go forward with a missile defense system that is cost-effective and proven.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks In Prague, 4/5/09)

But Last Week, Obama Abandoned Missile Defense Plan, Showing “Willingness To Sacrifice American Allies.” “This is bad news for all who care about the US commitment to the transatlantic alliance and the defence of Europe as well as the United States. It represents the appalling appeasement of Russian aggression and a willingness to sacrifice American allies on the altar of political expediency. A deal with the Russians to cancel missile defence installations sends a clear message that even Washington can be intimidated by the Russian bear.” (Nile Gardiner, “Barack Obama Surrenders To Russia On Missile Defence,” Telegraph, 9/17/09)

THIS WEEK OBAMA IS BACKING OFF PLEDGE TO FULLY RESOURCE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN

In March, Obama Pledged “America Must No Longer Deny Resources To Afghanistan.” “To achieve our goals, we need a stronger, smarter and comprehensive strategy.  To focus on the greatest threat to our people, America must no longer deny resources to Afghanistan because of the war in Iraq.  To enhance the military, governance and economic capacity of Afghanistan and Pakistan, we have to marshal international support.” (“Remarks By The President On A New Strategy For Afghanistan And Pakistan,” The White House, 3/27/09)

But Now, Obama Is “Skeptical” About Sending More Troops.  “President Barack Obama is warning U.S. commanders that he's ‘skeptical’ about whether more troops will make a difference in Afghanistan...” (Josh Gerstein, “Obama 'Skeptical' About More Troops,” Politico, 9/20/09)

And Obama “Is Holding Off Major Decisions That Could Put Its Military Forces On A Firmer War Footing In Afghanistan Even As Doubts Grow About Whether The United States Can Win There.” (Anne Gearan, “White House Postponing Hard Calls On War,” The Associated Press, 9/15/09)

Afghan Ambassador Says Time For Obama To “Indicate A Clear Commitment.” “The Afghan ambassador to Washington, Said Jawad, said Obama risks losing support for the war at home and in Europe the longer he ponders. ‘It’s time for the administration to come out and indicate a clear commitment to success and indicate the significance of the mission in Afghanistan,’ Jawad said …” (Viola Gienger and Indira A.R. Lakshmanan, “Obama Delays Afghanistan Troop Decision As Criticism Deepens,” Bloomberg, 9/17/09)

OBAMA NO LONGER PURSUING ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE WITH PROMISED PATIENCE

In June, Obama Promised To Pursue Peace With “Patience And Dedication.” “The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security… That is in Israel's interest, Palestine's interest, America's interest, and the world's interest.  And that is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience and dedication that the task requires.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At Cairo University, 6/4/09)

But On Monday, Senior U.S. Official Says Obama Already Running Out Of Patience With Mideast Peace Process. “But Obama’s central message to two leaders was simple, a U.S. official said: He’s running out of patience. ‘The president of the United States is impatient,’ said the senior U.S. official. ‘That’s what he told them. … There’s a limited window of opportunity here, and he’s determined. But he’s also impatient, and we need to get going,’ the official said.” (Laura Rozen and Ben Smith, “Obama 'Impatient' For Mideast Progress,” Politico, 9/22/09)

Instead, Obama Has Contributed To “Biggest Strains In A Decade” Between Israel And America. “Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking is a major part of Obama's effort to repair America's image in the Muslim world… But his administration has made little headway in clearing obstacles to the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip… Relations between Washington and close ally Israel are under the biggest strains in a decade.” (Matt Spetalnick and Jeffrey Heller, “Hopes Low For Obama-Led Mideast Summit In New York,” Reuters, 9/22/09)

NO WONDER OBAMA HAS LITTLE CREDIBILITY ON WORLD STAGE

Fakt (Poland): "Betrayal! The U.S. sold us to Russia and stabbed us in the back" (Vanessa Gera, Associated Press, 9/18/09)

U.K. Telegraph: "Barack Obama To Face Tough Questions On US Foreign Policy” (Alex Spillius, Telegraph, 9/20/09)

The Jerusalem Post: “Analysis: Why Everyone Is Saying No To Obama” (Amir Mizroch, The Jerusalem Post, 9/22/09)

The New York Times: "Good Will, but Few Foreign Policy Benefits for Obama” (Peter Baker, The New York Times, 9/19/09)

The U.K. Guardian: “Obama The Impotent” (Steven Hill, The Guardian, 9/22/09)

Economic Times Of India: “Will Obama flinch or fight or both?” (Agencies, Economic Times Of India, 9/5/09)

The Wall Street Journal: “Banishing Our Friends" (Editorial, "The Wall Street Journal, 7/30/09)

The Washington Post: “Obama's Worldwide Star Power Finds Limits, Skepticism Abroad Echoes Doubt At Home” (Michael D. Shear and Howard Schneider, The Washington Post, 9/20/09)

The Washington Post: “Double Standards On Latin America” (Jackson Diehl, The Washington Post, 7/13/09)