In 2012, as Americans were commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks, our consulate in Benghazi, Libya was burned to the ground killing Ambassador Christopher Stevens along with three other Americans. What followed this sordid outrage were an avalanche of consummate lies fed to the American public. Prevarications such as:
Susan Rice, on national television repeatedly attributed a YouTube video called “The Innocence of Muslims” for the terrorist attack. A charge soon proven to be patently untrue; Secretary Clinton denuded apathy, blurting out “what difference does it make;” during Senate testimony. Debating Governor Romney, President Obama falsely stated he had always called the attack terrorist. To those without blinders, what was indisputable was his mundane grasp or indifference to national tragedy.
Seemingly in agreement with his Secretary of State, the following morning, September 12, at 10:35 A.M. The president gave a brief press conference, confirmed the death of Ambassador Stevens, and left little doubt, he was more the leader of his party than his country. By mid afternoon he was in the air to Las Vegas for an evening fundraiser. An eye opening precursor to this Summer’s golf vacation on the heels of journalist’s James Foley’s beheading.
Several months earlier that year, he unexpectedly was caught on camera chatting with then Russian President, Dimitri Medvedev. Discussing missile defense, the president placed his left hand on Medvedev’s lap and as if speaking to an old friend rather than an unrequited cold warrior uttered: “This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility.” To which Medvedev replied: “I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.”
No doubt he did. Anticipating the response or lack thereof from the leader of the free world and in repayment for such heartfelt obeisance, Putin annexed the Crimea earlier this year, with one eye on doing the same to Eastern Ukraine, and the other on the Baltic states.
Sensing weakness, lack of resolve, and an inability to follow thru, the bad guys of the world; Iran, Russia, China, and countless Islamic groups are on the move. Whether by design or ineptness, placation to avoid conflict has actually spurred it on; (see ISIS).
Speaking of which, two weeks ago on September 7th, President Obama gave his much anticipated speech outlying to the world what he will and will not do confronting this barbaric enemy.
His strategy, to what earlier this month was referred to as containment has since pivoted to defeating ISIS: Significantly expand the bombing campaign in Iraq. Train and equip the Iraqi army and Kurdish troops. Begin bombing in Syria. Train and arm the Syrian rebels. Get regional actors like Saudi Arabia and European allies on board to counter ISIS’ regional and international influence. Keep US troops out and stay away from the Syrian and Iranian governments.
As is his custom of once again putting the horse before the carriage, his two strongest allies, Britain and Germany have said no thanks to bombing ISIS in Syria. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier went as far as to say: “We have neither been asked to do that, nor will we do that.” With so far a tepid response from our European “allies,” it looks like whatever help he can get from the EU will be ancillary at best.
Regional despots such as King Abdullah of Jordan and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia who stand to loose more than the their kingdoms if ISIS has its way have pledged to hold our jackets in this fight. Even NATO member Turkey, bordering this mess, and having so much to lose has refused to commit ground troops to this so far coalition of the unwilling.