Inept Brilliance

I’ve actually felt a little sorry for the commander in chief over the past few weeks.  I think we can all understand why George W. felt compelled to go his own way so many times in the face of international opposition.

Obama clearly stated that Syrian use of chemical weapons would result in penalties.  All his kum bay yah international friends applauded his resolute leadership.  Then came the time for action which Obama, to his credit, looked more than ready to execute and all those supposed friends deserted him.  All of a sudden he appeared virtually alone, well except the French, and that’s like being alone.

The French have their own interests based on their close relationship with Lebanon and Syrian misadventures there over the last few decades.  The Russians smelled blood in the water and Putin donned his cold war hat in an effort to make the Russians seem like equals again.

The end result looks from the outside like a text book case of proper use of national power.  The president used the threat of military power to achieve a diplomatic solution; his accidental arrival at the result notwithstanding.  You could almost call the strategy brilliant except for the fact it’s painfully obvious this was not his intent.

As a second term president he should have made a better read on his supposed “allies” before making the bold statements about his military plans.  He then quibbled and delayed so the impact of any military strike would have been minimal, given his blatant advanced warning. 

Putin seized the opportunity to fill the vacuum left by the desertion of Obama’s “friends” and rescue a client state.  Putin re-established Russian relevance in the region at the cost of American prestige.  That is how the “Arab Street” will view this which will have long term repercussions within the region.   

You Can Almost Read Putin's Mind:  "Rookie!"

Syria’s other close friend, Iran, has to feel emboldened by the lack of American resolve.  Look for some aggressive Iranian actions in the Persian Gulf over the next year or so. 

I’m glad we didn’t get drawn into the Syrian civil war but the inept strategic process that got us there will have to be paid for in blood eventually.  It’s kind of sad to see Obama’s illusionary sense of international multilateralism run up against cold reality.