I Repeat: Cowboy Diplomacy Is Over

[SidDithers]

http://www.oliverwillis.com/2011/01/31/i-repeat-cowboy-diplomacy-is-over/

People’s opinions on Egyptian-American relations seem to be all over the place. On one hand, conservatives are in spots complaining that Obama is not doing enough (as if he takes vacations like Bush) or that he’s part of a secret plot to support the Muslim brotherhood (no, really). Liberals, and some on the right, have also complained that the U.S. hasn’t given full-throated support to those rebelling against the Egyptian government.

We can’t do this – for numerous reasons. Most importantly, the best way to give an autocratic ruler in the middle east carte blanche to put down an uprising would be to give it the full support of the U.S. government. In a region that is reflexively anti-American (sometimes with very good reason) the best way to demonize a movement would be to give it American backing.

Oliver Willis makes sense.

Sid

[dipsydoodle]

1. Thank you

Tonto. :)

and :hi:

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. "The triviality of US Mideast policy"...Robert Grenier, opinion piece on Al Jazeera:

US Mideast policy has been irrelevant and fails to accommodate the current movement that is sweeping across the region.

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/01/201113191947648929.html

[jaxx]

3. We can thank our lucky stars that it is over.

Or we'd be invading by now.

[tabatha]

4. The Iran history is also important.

- Installing the Shah of Iran resulted in an anti-US state when the Shah was ousted
- Bush declaring Iran as part of the axis of evil resulted in Amadinnerjacket
- Supporting the Iranian people against Amadinnerjacket did not help

[sufrommich]

6. Yes, and this Administration has learned that lesson. nt

[sufrommich]

5. I'm afraid nuance and diplomacy are lost on a lot of people.

+1

[EFerrari]

11. There is little nuance in accepting that our partner in torture and rendition

is at this moment in line to replace Mubarak or that Clinton is still insisting that her "friend of the family" be included in the transition.

[sufrommich]

13. "is at this moment in line to replace Mubarak"

And will quickly fly right out the window as soon as Mubarak is gone. I'm pretty sure US foreign policy will not be determined by Clinton's dinner guest list.

[Arkana]

7. The people's rebellion needs to remain the property of the people.

It can't be "Rebellion in Egypt, Sponsored By USA Brand Snacks".

[malaise]

8. Yes he does

Rec

[EFerrari]

9. Straw man. Actually, straw men.

Do you seriously believe the Egyptian people don't know who has been appointed VP to take over for Mubarak?

That's pretty insulting.

/spelling

[RandySF]

10. We supposedly wanted a grown-up for president

Now that we have one, some folks want to go back to the childlike antics that we endured for eight years.

[JuniperLea]

12. Thanks for this...

I was beginning to think I was the only one seeing cheers for cowboy boots and saber rattling! What the hell is up with that?

Maybe we haven't seen real diplomacy in so long that a lot of people forget what it looks like?

Obama and Clinton are spot on in their reactions, IMHO. Anything more is BushCo all over again.

[snappyturtle]

14. YES! nt

[leftstreet]

15. UnRec. What an insulting pukefest of an anti-working class article

while many of those protesting the government may have their hearts in the right place – they could just as easily turn out to install an Islamic Republic like we’ve seen in Iran.

Why doesn't he just say: "and, and bless their hearts, BUT..."

:puke:

[Itchinjim]

16. Kicked and Rec'ed

Itchinjim

[Blue Owl]

17. Heh heh -- huh?

Hope GWB gets the memo, even if it's a few years too late!

[RegieRocker]

18. Firing six shooter into the air!!!!!!

[Bobbie Jo]

19. Recommended. nt