Paul Revere by Cyrus Dallin, North End, Boston

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

UPDATE ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S HANDLING OF IRANIAN ELECTION

Former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage spoke earlier this week at the Missouri Boys State, an event that was held on the campus of the University of Central Missouri. During the question and answer period, Armitage was asked about President Obama’s “softer force when dealing with other nations.” “Mr. Obama is in some ways presenting a much better face to the world. I wouldn’t call it a soft face, I’d call it a smart face,” Armitage replied. He then took a subtle dig at President Bush.

ARMITAGE: I think he’s using both our soft and hard power in a more intelligent way. [...] I think he’s using our power more intelligently. And using all the tools in our kit box now, in our tool box. Mr. Bush just used sanctions and force. And I think this gives us a better opportunity to prevail. What is soft power? It’s the ability to attract. You want to persuade, you want to attract them. Hard power is coercive. Well, force them to do something. If you can attract people I think it’s always better. It seems to last longer.

Earlier in the discussion, Armitage said he disagrees with Vice President Cheney’s criticism of the Obama administration adding that he should “pipe down.” “I think it’s unseemly,” Armitage said. Later, referring to Colin Powell’s criticism of Republican Party, Armitage said that Powell is just trying to get the GOP to stop acting “like a bunch of knuckleheads.”

And Henry Kissinger adds this [for what it's worth]:

In an interview with CNN yesterday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) criticized President Obama’s approach to the turmoil in Iran, saying that he shouldn’t be concerned about being seen as “meddling” in Iran’s affairs. But on Fox News last night, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, noting that he was a McCain supporter, said that he thinks “the president has handled this well”:

KISSINGER: Well, you know, I was a McCain supporter and — but I think the president has handled this well. Anything that the United States says that puts us totally behind one of the contenders, behind Mousavi, would be a handicap for that person. And I think it’s the proper position to take that the people of Iran have to make that decision.


Of course, we have to state our fundamental convictions of freedom of speech, free elections, and I don’t see how President Obama could say less than he has, and even that is considered
intolerable meddling. He has, after all, carefully stayed away from saying things that seem to support one side or the other. And I think it was the right thing to do because public support for the opposition would only be used by the — by Ahmadinejad — if I can ever learn his name properly — against Mousavi.

h/t Think Progress

11 comments:

sue said...

Shaw - I love the 'no pitbulls of any color'!!!!!

Shaw Kenawe said...

Hi sue,

Thank you. I hope it works.

Ruth said...

Having overturned legitimate government because of the nationalization of oil, the U.S. is still seen as its enemy by Iranians, and any support or opposition we voice only works against anyone we back. Maybe we should come out for Ahmadinejad.

LUCKY said...

With regards to soft power,

How well did that work with Hitler?

How well is it working with North Korea?

Soft power is great to talk about and is wonderful with people who are willing to engage in meaningful conversation but some people aren't.

When you are trying to convince someone of the correctness of your position there are two option.

You can use logic and reason. You can only use this as long as they are willing to pay attention to this. If the person or Nation-State sense you as weak then they will not listen. Bullies do not listen to logic or reason. They have no reason to.

To deal with those who are bullies or who will not listen force is necessary.

With regards to Iran, if we want to meddle with their internal elections soft power won't amount to much. I don't think we should meddle with them. We should stay out of other nations all togather unless they actually are threatening us with something more than trumped up charges of WMD.

While President Obama does make the world feel good about everything by appeasing everyone I think the time will come as his Vice President said when he will be tested to see what kind of testicular fortitude he has.

Shaw Kenawe said...

LUCKY wrote:

"While President Obama does make the world feel good about everything by appeasing everyone I think the time will come as his Vice President said when he will be tested to see what kind of testicular fortitude he has."

True.

And the Arab extremists certainly tested GWB when he was 9 months into his presidency.

All presidents face this.

I wouldn't call Mr. Obama's approach to Iran as "appeasing." His Cairo speech seems to have reaped some real benefits for the US.

A pro-Western govt. in Lebanon, and now an uprising for democracy and change of leadership in Iran.

The hardliners in the Bush Adm. wouldn't consider talking to the Iranians.

Mr. Obama's speech in Cairo showed the Iranian people that that belligerance is no longer in play.

We wait to see what happens next.

Eric's Eyes said...

"UPDATE ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S HANDLING OF IRANIAN ELECTION"


Simple answer to the blogs question. Obama has no spine. The Black Magic Coward Prince of the Left can't make a solitary move without taking a poll to see how his actions will be received.

He has as much backbone as a jellyfish.
But! Ah, he did say that he is "very concerned" and "deeply troubled".

dmarks said...

Lucky asked: "With regards to soft power, How well did that work with Hitler? How well is it working with North Korea?"

"Soft power" DID work with the Soviet empire, which was worse than Hitler and NK in terms of people killed, longevity, and geographic size.

"We should stay out of other nations all togather unless they actually are threatening us with something more than trumped up charges of WMD."

Is this a tip of the hat toward Pat Buchanan, or something else?

libhom said...

"Keating Five" McCain's comments show how he is bought and paid for by Big Oil.

Arthurstone said...

Eric-

You're the C in C. Iran is on the boil.

What do you do?

dmarks said...

Shaw: "A pro-Western govt. in Lebanon, and now an uprising for democracy and change of leadership in Iran."

I wonder when any real change will show, though. Last time I checked, the Lebanese government placed a high priority on promoting genocide (exterminating the Israelis), and a major terrorist group, Hesbollah, is part of their military.

dmarks said...

Arthur: Good question. It does not look like Obama is bungling Iran to me.

But the NK dictator could end up playing him like a fiddle during this crisis. As he did the previous Bush before him, and Clinton before Bush.