Andrew Sullivan: Obama Gets Upper Hand

[babylonsister]

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/09/busted.html

Busted


And so you see the Obama mojo again. Look at the moves of the last month. He scraps the missile defense in Eastern Europe, pleasing Russia, and moves the focus of defense to the Mediterranean, pleasing Israel.

He pwns Ahmadinejad at the UN by being the first president of the US to preside over the resolution to enforce nuclear non-proliferation.

He corrals the rhetorical support of the developing world, isolating Tehran still further. He hangs back a little and allows Brown and Sarkozy to do the heavy hitting on NoKo and Iran this past week, again revealing that the desire to curtail Ahmadinejad's nukes is not only an American project.

And then, this morning ... kapow!

He busts Ahmadinejad in a air-tight case that focuses on active Iranian deception. All this, of course, may still not be enough. Putin's position remains opaque; and China is still not on the full wagon. But can anyone say that the isolation of Iran has weakened under Obama?

If you add to the mix the critical factor of the Green Revolution, then the West's position vis-a-vis Iran has improved immensely in the last eight months. And if you believe that Obama's Cairo speech was at least a positive factor in helping bring that about - then the promise of the Obama era in American foreign policy begins to take shape.

Weakness? There is sometimes more strength in projecting confidence rather than bluster, and seeking cooperation rather than ultimatums.

[DevonRex]

1. Excellent article.

Sounds like great diplomacy to me.

[grantcart]

2. mojo diplomacy

Its not just show


Russians sign on to confronting Iran


http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/

Iran's construction of a uranium enrichment plant violates decisions of the United Nations Security Council. The International Atomic Energy Agency must investigate this site immediately, and Iran must cooperate with this investigation. Russia will assist in this investigation by any available means. Russia remains committed to a dialogue with Iran on the nuclear issue, and urges Iran to provide proof of its commitment to a peaceful nuclear program by the October 1 meeting of the P5-plus-1.


This will help Israel and the Palestinians become more flexible.

[DevonRex]

4. Wow. It's working! Thank you. nt

[Cha]

5. Thanks, grant.. no, nothing is just for show

with PO.

[JuniperLea]

16. Do the right thing, and the world beats a path to your door...

Mr's Mojo is indeed risin'!

[Cha]

3. Yeah!, this is what more than a few have been sayin'..

"Weakness? There is sometimes more strength in projecting confidence rather than bluster, and seeking cooperation rather than ultimatums.

[DevonRex]

6. Take note that all the Obama-bashers, who say he's banging war drums are NOT here.

Too gutless to admit they're wrong.

[opihimoimoi]

7. The Positive Mode is far better than the Negative...Obama is KILLING THEM GOP with Promise....

[Tempest]

8. Sullivan got it wrong about Iran

The U.S. has known for some time about the secret facility and Iran revealed to the U.N. on Monday, before Obama's speech.

[SpartanDem]

9. Iran should've revealed it years ago that is the issue

[Tempest]

13. Why didn't the U.S. reveal it years ago when they found out?

Iran was under no obligation to reveal it.

Just as Israel doesn't believe it's under any obligation to reveal their nuclear program.

[MadMaddie]

20. I suspect the previous admin knew and they were just

waiting for Iran to make the first strike against Israel.....that is how the * admin played the game. They weren't into preventative measures....just let things fester until they blow...

[Raven]

10. The consummate Chess Player in a Checkers World. n/t

[HopeOverFear]

11. Indeed.

[JuniperLea]

17. Indeed! eom

[BeyondGeography]

12. The Cairo speech and the video message to the Iranian people were very significant in all of this

You have to work the street in the Muslim world. Glad we have President who finally understands this simple rule. Those direct addresses to everyday people are very much a part of the constituency building that Obama has done. He has built a narrative that anticipated just this moment. Artfully done.

[Phx_Dem]

14. Obama's always all about strategy. I guess that's why he's

usually so successful -- he plans his moves and anticipates what the opponent will do, then plans a countermove, which is obviously why people call him a chessplayer.

Thinking and planning are interesting concepts -- too bad Bush never gave either one a try.

[MarjorieG]

15. Can't be said enough, as GOP tries to undermine Obama thru Afghanistan as 2010 issue. Once again,

sacrificing national security for politics. Leaked memos, endangering soldiers because he's in health care...

[BREMPRO]

18. this was pure brilliant diplomacy. well played. Bush would have

ham handed, blustered and screwed it all up. He never had diplomatic strategy except chest beating and threats. The contrast couldn't be more stark. Obama was able to bolster allied support and embarrass and further isolate Ahmaninejad on the world stage.

[babylonsister]

19. Our president is good, and so much better than what we

were tortured with for 8 years. I'm so happy with this admin, warts and all.

[BREMPRO]

21. So easy to forget how bad it was and how much work it's going to unravel

the disaster bush/cheney made. Better a few warts that a huge malignant tumor.