Obama Foreign Policy Moves Threaten U.S.-World Security

In a week when law enforcement authorities across the U.S. thwarted jihadist terrorist plots in Springfield, Illinois, Dallas, Texas and New York City, and Americans have been poignantly reminded of the threat from Islamic extremists intent on killing as many Americans as possible, the President of the United States has announced a number of foreign policy moves which could threaten the security of the United States and its allies.

President Obama started the week by announcing that the U.S. would unilaterally withdraw its anti-missile defense system from Poland and Chezchslovakia with no apparent concessions from Russia. This announcement, which completely blind-sided the Polish and Chezch governments, was received in these countries with headline banners which read, “BETRAYED”. Instead of a less expensive land-based system which would protect all of the Europe and the eastern U.S. from long range missiles, the president has elected a more expensive naval-based which will require full-time deployment of ships in that part of the world that protect only against medium and short range missiles.

This surprise announcement was followed by the president’s speech at the United Nations in which he ridiculed Israel for their “continuous” settlements and suggested that Palestine have contiguous borders with Gaza and the West Bank and that peace talks return to discussion of the 1967 borders, essentially denying Israel territories that were gained in a defensive war.

A few days later, President Obama headed up the UN Security Council meeting and was able to get a non-binding resolution passed on nuclear disarmament. A well-intentioned goal which unfortunately did nothing to stop rogue states like North Korea or Iran from pursuing their nuclear ambitions. The following day the IAEA announced the discovery of an additional nuclear development facility in Iran.

In another troubling signal from the White House this week, press secretary Gibbs indicated that he was rethinking the war strategy in Afghanistan. In March of this year President Obama replaced the general on the ground in Afghanistan and indicated he would be employing a new strategy. In applying that strategy General McChrystal submitted a formal request for 40,000 more troops to carry out the strategy on August 30th. In a baffling turn of events the president asked the general not to formally submit the request while the president rethinks the strategy he had already approved back in March.

It goes without saying that any of these areas of the world would invite elements intent on violence and erupt into a full-scale conflagration if enemies of the United States sense any weakness or willingness to retreat from the battlefield.

As well-intentioned as the president’s objectives might be, Obama has revealed himself to be dangerously naïve about world politics. In the high stakes game of international gamesmanship, President Obama seems to be willing to roll the dice in the hopes that other world leaders will “play nice” and stay true to their word. If the lessons of history have taught us anything, it’s that the leaders who equivocate and show weakness to other nations that put us in the greatest danger.