Krauthammer observes the meaning of returning a US ambassador to Damascus:
…what does the administration do? It sends an ambassador in return for absolutely nothing. Returning an ambassador after withdrawal is a sign of conciliation and, in this case, appeasement. There is nothing, there is no reason to do it. Obama had a dream that if he sweet-talked Assad he would get Syria to break its relations with Iran and Hezbollah and become an ally of the United States. It [the Obama administration] gave all kind of inducements. It was humiliated by Assad’s response. He expressed contempt for these inducements — [and] the United States offered it in return, the return of an ambassador! It’s appeasement of the first order.
One could call it cowardice, but it doesn’t rise to that honorable an action – this is just plain and simple stupid. This is the action of a President with a completely academic background – a man who does not understand how the world works. And its worse than that – given the way Obama’s actions have been going, we can only presume that what he got out of college, the world view he has, is a combination of John Lennon’s Imagine and warmed over Saul Alinsky. A “lets join hands and sing” mentality coupled with a rote hatred of all things American.
Syria is a minor power – something we could, if we wanted to, overthrow in a week or two. In the grand scheme of things the contemptible regime in Damascus is worth only secondary American attention. But here we are, treating Syria as if they should have any other attitude towards us other than supplicant – Syria should only be worried about one thing: that we’ll decide to destroy the regime tomorrow. But Obama treats Syria as if it is Great Power…and ties our policy to what Syria desires and that, in turn, means that Iran is calling the tune in that area of the world.
Great job, Barry – Bush had Iran boxed in and Syria on the ropes…you’ve now given them a new lease on life. This is the “smart diplomacy”, I guess…
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