Just Don't Call It Cold War Thinking

Obama is a man with a plan when it comes to Russia:

In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin

Just as the United States resolved in the aftermath of World War II to counter the Soviet Union and its global ambitions, Mr. Obama is focused on isolating President Vladimir V. Putin’s Russia by cutting off its economic and political ties to the outside world, limiting its expansionist ambitions in its own neighborhood and effectively making it a pariah state.

Mr. Obama has concluded that even if there is a resolution to the current standoff over Crimea and eastern Ukraine, he will never have a constructive relationship with Mr. Putin, aides said. As a result, Mr. Obama will spend his final two and a half years in office trying to minimize the disruption Mr. Putin can cause, preserve whatever marginal cooperation can be saved and otherwise ignore the master of the Kremlin in favor of other foreign policy areas where progress remains possible.

So treat Putin like any other House Republican. Which comes next - accusations that Putin is racist, or sexist?

Obama has a pen and a phone and he isn't afraid to use them. Of course, isolating Putin while relying on him for help with Iran and Syria might not be so easy. The Times attempts to explain how that circle will be squared:

But the two sides have not completely cut off ties. American troops and equipment are still traveling through Russian territory en route to and from Afghanistan. Astronauts from the two countries are currently in orbit together at the International Space Station, supplied by Russian rockets. A joint program decommissioning old Russian weapons systems has not been curtailed.

Nuclear inspections under the New Start arms control treaty Mr. Obama signed in his first term continue. The Air Force still relies on rockets with Russian-made engines to launch military satellites into space, although it is reviewing that. The United States has not moved to try to push Russia out of the W.T.O. And the Obama administration is still working with Russia on disarming Syria’s chemical weapons and negotiating a deal with Iran to curtail its nuclear program.

“You can’t isolate everything from a general worsening of the relationship and the rhetoric,” said Graham Allison, director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University and an adviser to multiple administrations on Russia and defense policy. “But there’s still very high priority business that we have to try to do with Russia.”

Oh, good, we will stay in touch because there is a lot of stuff we need from Russia. Sadly missing from the list above is stuff Russia needs from us. Well, maybe Putin won't mind being a pariah and won't push back.

Denial and distraction is the plan du jour:

While Mr. Obama spends a lot of time on the Ukraine crisis, it does not seem to absorb him. Speaking privately with visitors, he is more likely to bring up topics like health care and the Republicans in Congress than Mr. Putin. Ukraine, he tells people, is not a major concern for most Americans, who are focused on the economy and other issues closer to home.

Yeah, Americans are so focused on how hard Obama's economy sucks that they can't worry about how hard his foreign policy sucks. Got it. And if the White House isn't worried about the Ukraine because the public isn't, ask me about global warming; from Gallup:

Americans Show Low Levels of Concern on Global Warming

Whatever. 

MY NEW BFF: Ron Fournier of the National Journal:

President Obama came to office nursing dreams "of forging a new partnership" with a stubborn rival. When times got tough, he abandoned the relationship and adopted dusty zero-sum gain policies of his predecessors. To allies and rivals alike, he looks naïve, weak, and disconnected.

This is the portrait presented Sunday by Peter Baker in his front-page New York Times story titled, "In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin." What struck me about the piece is the unstated parallel between Obama's handling of Russia and Republicans, and how in both cases the gap between promise and performance illustrates a fundamental failure of leadership.

 

Comments

[Jim Rhoads f/k/a vnjagvet]

While Mr. Obama spends a lot of time on the Ukraine crisis, it does not seem to absorb him. Speaking privately with visitors, he is more likely to bring up topics like health care and the Republicans in Congress than Mr. Putin. Ukraine, he tells people, is not a major concern for most Americans, who are focused on the economy and other issues closer to home.

Another Fox Butterfield moment.

[narciso]

He was doing Galifanakis's stupid show, when the Crimean crisis broke out, previously the sanctions were so weak, that Rogovin, mocked him, now he sends the Solon to reassure the Ukrainians,

[daddy]

TM,

There is an error in your linked NYTimes story. It tells us that throughout the various agencies of the Administration there are differing opinions about what the Administration should do to deal with Russia. This is false.

Chuck Todd on MTP just made it clear that everybody everywhere is completely onboard with Obama's Policy decisions. They only differ in how tough the President ought to talk.

[narciso]

Well it wouldn't be the first time, Chuck Todd got it wrong;

http://legalinsurrection.com/2014/04/obamas-middle-eastern-manhood-problem/

Baker puts forth the new Ambassador to Russia,
as one of the 'new thinkers', facts not in evidence

[narciso]

they are clearly practicing provocation,

http://www.interpretermag.com/category/blog/

as they did in the spring of 2008, with Georgia,

[narciso]

Well the consequences are rather clear;

http://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2014/04/20/the-geneva-accord-on-ukraine-is-a-tactical-victory-for-russia/#comments

the Russian Ambassador, seems to selling a poor premise, well.

[reliapundit]

barry is one of vlad's assets. as is snowden.

[Danube on iPad]

"...he will never have a constructive relationship with Mr. Putin, aides said..."

As Henry Kissinger would say, nations and heads of state do not have friends. They have interests.

[Frau Osterei]

It's worked so far--
A man and his plan: "Kick the can."

[NKonIPad]

Hope everyone had a happy and healthy Easter.

Tom M seems to have had his fill with Obummer. Haven 't we all.

[Neo]

MOUNTAIN VIEW (KPIX 5) – While open enrollment for coverage under the Affordable Care Act is closed, many of the newly insured are finding they can’t find doctors, landing them into a state described as “medical homelessness.”

LUN

[Neo]

Hey, Recovery Summer V is just around the corner

[Frau Osterei]

Apartment Age magazine--front cover:

Fair Housing
Equality for All
A Nation of Renters

Remember when Barney Frank revised his American dream and said not everyone needed to own a home?

[NKonIPad]

For all the comments we post here, Obummer is worse than what we say about him.

[Beasts of England]

For all the comments we post here, Obummer is worse than what we say about him.

I'll try harder.

[Account Deleted]

NK,

He has no cards. The Repoman did not care for the way the IMF acted as BK referee for Cyprus and will not accept a secondary position for the Ukraine BK. BOzo can't even get the Fascist controlled Senate to pump up the IMF. The Repoman doesn't care if Eudaemonic Unicorn Utopia is revealed as an asinine fantasy run by incompetent buffoons for the sole benefit of a kleptocracy composed of fourth rate oligarchs.

[Frau Osterei]

(Lord)Palmerston said "England has no eternal friends, England has no perpetual enemies, England has only eternal and perpetual interests"

George Washington supposedly said almost the same thing as did Charles DeGaulle.

[NKonIPad]

BoE-- heh.

But my point is that Obummer doesn't understand any of this. He gets rudimentary points, like delaying Keystone hurts producers and refiners and helps Warren B, and ObummerCare pumps tens of billions/year into medicaid and that makes SEIU happy. But how the world works? He doesn't have clue, as long as he has power he s good with everything. He really is like Otto in Fish Called Wanda, but a nasty vicious Otto.

[bori]

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

Trying to catch-up.

Clarice, great and insightful pieces today.

TM, in other words Obama can't won't do anything about Putin, Assad or anyone else. He will pay lip service to them and hope for the best.

[NKonIPad]

Disraeli as well, no?

[Beasts of England]

Agreed, NK. A dilettante in every subject except race. If he were wreaking his havoc on another country, it would almost be funny. I hope a very strong message in November will blunt his pen and his phone, but it will be a painful few years.

[narciso]

Interesting in light of this particular circumstance;

In May 1853 the Russians threatened to invade the principalities Wallachia and Moldavia unless the Ottoman Sultan surrendered to their demands. Palmerston argued for immediate decisive action; the Royal Navy should be sent to the Dardanelles to assist the Turkish navy and that Britain should inform Russia of her intention to go to war with her if she invaded the principalities. However, Aberdeen objected to all of Palmerston's proposals. After prolonged arguments, a reluctant Aberdeen agreed to send a fleet to the Dardanelles but objected to his other proposals. The Russian Tsar was annoyed by Britain's actions but it was not enough to deter him. When the British fleet arrived at the Dardanelles the weather was rough so the fleet took refuge in the outer waters of the straits. The Russians argued that this was a violation of the Straits Convention of 1841 and therefore invaded the two principalities. Palmerston thought that this was the result of British weakness and thought that if Russia had been told that if they invaded the principalities the British and French fleets would enter the Bosphorus or the Black Sea, she would have been deterred.[55] In Cabinet, Palmerston argued for a vigorous prosecution of the war against Russia by Britain but Aberdeen objected, as he wanted peace. Public opinion was on the side of the Turks and with Aberdeen becoming steadily unpopular, Lord Dudley Stuart in February 1854 noted, "Wherever I go, I have heard but one opinion on the subject, and that one opinion has been pronounced in a single word, or in a single name - Palmerston."[56]

Subsequently, he was offered Secretary of State for war, bur did not take it, apres le deluge;

[NKonIPad]

BoE-- i was thinking about this in the ride home from Easter dinner going over all the things i wanted to tell my Political class S-I-L. She s a pissant suburban town board of ed pres, but the political classers all think the same arrogant way. The fact that the arrogant Left political class (in blue hells) will end in bankruptcy and disaster is beyond question, the only question is how much damage willnthey cause before bankruptcy ends their petty tyrannies.

[Captain Hate]

So this is where everybody is. I was listening earlier tonight to the cd which this tour was promoting:

http://ia601309.us.archive.org/1/items/TomaszStankoNewYorkQuartet2013-11-01CasinoDeMontbenonLausanneSwitzerland/TomaszStankoNewYorkQuartet2013-11-01CasinoDeMontbenonLausanneSwitzerland.mp3?cnt=0

http://tela.sugarmegs.org/_asxtela/asxcards/TomaszStankoNewYorkQuartet2013-11-01CasinoDeMontbenonLausanneSwitzerland.html

[narciso]

So in Palmerston's view, one might not have needed to fight the Crimean War, had the Brits not sent stronger signals, a lesson from more than a 150 years ago,

[Captain Hate]

Nytol

[Frau Osterei]

daddy, "Choc and Awe": Steyn returns with an Easter story about how he avoided having Kinder eggs confiscated by the border agents.
LUN

[Carol Herman]

I'd bet a good majority of Americans aren't interested in going to war over the Ukraine. And, if the Europeans figure out Americans "would rather stay home," then, maybe, the Brits. The French. And, the germans will have to step up to the plate themselves?

Plus, if the "other choice" is inflation most Americans don't want that, either.

And, "if" obama was so hated ... how come republicans aren't seeing a flood of new customers?

You think boehner's liked more than obama?

[Danube on iPad]

I say: the damage Obama has done, and will cotinue to do in the next three years, to American influence in world affairs cannot and will not ever be reversed.

As many have said all along, that has always been his purpose. I certainly can't say I disagree. But I feel very certain that neither he nor any of the featherweight nincompoops he has assembled to advise him have ever given a thought - let alone an informed and analytical thought - to what will supplant that influence.

I can say with supreme confidence that it will not be pleasant.

[rich@gmu]

>>>Chuck Todd on MTP just made it clear that everybody everywhere is completely onboard with Obama's Policy decisions. They only differ in how tough the President ought to talk.

Posted by: daddy | April 20, 2014 at 09:21 PM<<<

get the can of starch out. those creases don't just show up out of no where.

[rich@gmu]

good morning jom.

I've had too much to drink this evening and think i'll head over to my other haunt.

jukebox has becoming x on ... don't complain.

[rich@gmu]

>>>I can say with supreme confidence that it will not be pleasant.

Posted by: Danube on iPad | April 21, 2014 at 12:47 AM<<<

indeed, and well stated.

[Dublindave 2016]

8

[rich@gmu]

>>>Hey, Recovery Summer V is just around the corner

Posted by: Neo | April 20, 2014 at 10:52 PM<<<

maybe my funployment will be over so I can enjoy it.

[Dublindave 2016]

M

[Dublindave 2016]

I

[Dublindave 2016]

L

[Dublindave 2016]

L

[Dublindave 2016]

I

[Dublindave 2016]

O

[Dublindave 2016]

N

[rich@gmu]

fuck yeah, dd, keep fucking that chicken.

[Jeff Dobbs]

I found the "on" switch.

[Don't worry, Electronic Medical Records will solve it all.]

8 million patients, and seven doctors.

[Don't worry, Electronic Medical Records will solve it all.]

8 million patients, and seven doctors.

[Clarice Feldman]

Good morning, JOM!

[Clarice Feldman]

Good morning, JOM!

[Jane]

Isn't Typepad grand?

[Cecil Turner]

I'm trying to figure out why 8 million more mouths on the government teat is supposed to be a success story. (Though I guess I can see why Democrats would think it was.)

[Cecil Turner]

I'm trying to figure out why 8 million more mouths on the government teat is supposed to be a success story. (Though I guess I can see why Democrats would think it was.)

[pagar]

IMO, Everything the entire Obama regime and all the leftist propaganda spreaders say is filtered thru Media Matters.

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2014/04/exposed-far-left-soros-funded-media-matters-helped-produce-cbs-news-reports/#disqus_thread

[pagar]

IMO, Everything the entire Obama regime and all the leftist propaganda spreaders say is filtered thru Media Matters.

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2014/04/exposed-far-left-soros-funded-media-matters-helped-produce-cbs-news-reports/#disqus_thread

[Account Deleted]

"Isn't Typepad grand?"

If you like Typhuspad - be sure and try cholera!!

[Account Deleted]

"Isn't Typepad grand?"

If you like Typhuspad - be sure and try cholera!!

[rse]

Good morning all.

Will we manage to stay online today?

[rse]

Good morning all.

Will we manage to stay online today?

[Marlene]

Good Morning! Happy Patriots Day Jane. Mass.and Maine are the two states that observe Patriot's Day. The coverage of the marathon is wall to wall. The Portland station sent at least three reporters.

[pagar]

IMO, Everything the entire Obama regime and all the leftist propaganda spreaders say is filtered thru Media Matters.

See CBS News reporter Sharyl Attkisson’s speculation.

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

Fear not CecilT-- there are no where near that many, the worst hit on the TPs is the extra Medicaid welfare for SEIU hospital workers and immigrant Drs. who 'see' 15 patients/hr 42 hrs/day..

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

Fear not CecilT-- there are no where near that many, the worst hit on the TPs is the extra Medicaid welfare for SEIU hospital workers and immigrant Drs. who 'see' 15 patients/hr 42 hrs/day..

[henry]

Typhuspad seems twice as good for some reason.

[henry]

Typhuspad seems twice as good for some reason.

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

Typhus has gone NUTZ again. Must have been DD.

[pagar]

Don't think it can be said too often but I was getting some crazy Typepad msg that led me to believe they weren't accepting the link.

[Account Deleted]

Cecil,

Don't worry, it looks like less than half that amount. My bet is the "last minute signup surge" was a Maidan/Tahrir flash mob, tweeted into momentary existence, with the life expectancy of a fruit fly.

[MarkO]

Obama's just not that smart and he's a liar.

[MarkO]

Obama's just not that smart and he's a liar.

[MarkO]

Obama's just not that smart and he's a liar.

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

My personal guess: 4+Million ExchangeCare PAID customers for '14 (almost all on subsidy, and the young ones have preexisting conditions, so DEATH SPIRAL here we come) and 3+M Medicaid welfare benficiaries, so Obummer will say 'that's what I meant about '8 million'. Of course 5+M lost individual policies because of ObummerCare so we'll have fewer people on private insurance than in '13 pre-ObummerCare. That's quite a trick, ObummerCare gives subsidies and excuses prior conditions without risk assessment, and STILL we wind up with fewer peope with insurance. BRILLIANT!

[Marlene]

I must be doing something wrong,my 9:41 didn't double post. I searched both Boston papers,because evidently Auntie Zeituni's funeral was held yesterday. *crickets* Raila Odinga posted pictures on Twitter. I know nothing about posting links from Twitter accounts. Did Obama ever acknowledge his beloved Auntie's death?

[MarkO]

Obama's just not that smart, and he's a liar.

Maybe Auntie Zeituni is not his aunt.

[Dave (in MA)]

Marlene, maybe he doesn't know about her because he hasn't read that far into "his" "autobiography" yet.

[Dave (in MA)]

Marlene, maybe he doesn't know about her because he hasn't read that far into "his" "autobiography" yet.

[matt]

It will be very hard to isolate Russia when China, Iran, The Bundesrepublik of Mercedes Benz and the EU are all vital trading partners.

[Dave (in MA)]

Marlene, maybe he doesn't know about her because he hasn't read that far into "his" "autobiography" yet.

[Dave (in MA)]

Marlene, maybe he doesn't know about her because he hasn't read that far into "his" "autobiography" yet.

[Dave (in MA)]

TP really bites the wax tadpole lately.

[Miss Marple]

Good morning, all!

I see we are finally back on line. Figured I better post before JOM disappears again. It's sort of like Brigadoon.

MarkO, No one ever seems to remark about Obama's lack of family feeling for his African relatives. I consider it telling, as either he is a fraud and they aren't his relatives, or he is a psychopath and they are but he is totally uncaring for them.

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

Happy Patriots Day to our Bay State friends.

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

MissM-- I vote your second option.

[Clarice Feldman]

Well Soros sure was getting a nice return on his Media Matters investment.

[pagar]

Don't think it can be said too often but I was getting some crazy Typepad msg that led me to believe they weren't accepting the link.

[rse]

I noticed this morning that Tom Steyer's brother, Jim's media company, is the link pushing a great deal of gaming in the classroom, especially to teach empathy and social skills.

Just a huge amount of very personal data gathering. Just need to elect politicians that let the oligarchs play.

[Janet - the districts lie fallow, while the Capitol gorges itself]

Did Obama ever acknowledge his beloved Auntie's death?

from Obama's Easter address 4-19-2014

"To remember, I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper. Whatever your faith, believer or nonbeliever, there’s no better time to rededicate ourselves to that universal mission."...except if your name is Zeituni.
But then again, he didn't say to remember that "I am my aunt's keeper".

[Janet - the districts lie fallow, while the Capitol gorges itself]

Did Obama ever acknowledge his beloved Auntie's death?

from Obama's Easter address 4-19-2014

"To remember, I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper. Whatever your faith, believer or nonbeliever, there’s no better time to rededicate ourselves to that universal mission."...except if your name is Zeituni.
But then again, he didn't say to remember that "I am my aunt's keeper".

[Miss Marple]

NK, I sort of think that second opinion is right. He knows well enough he is supposed to act like he cares about his wife and daughters, but really, he isn't with them that much anymore and he always seems detached when he is.

His relationship with Michelle seems to be mostly snarky put downs from both sides. His off time is spent on the golf course, not doing things with his family.

Acting like he cares about relatives further afield is too much work. Also, I believe he manipulates people within the White House to get them to do his dirty work and to set them at each others' throats, simply for entertainment.

[Miss Marple]

NK, I sort of think that second opinion is right. He knows well enough he is supposed to act like he cares about his wife and daughters, but really, he isn't with them that much anymore and he always seems detached when he is.

His relationship with Michelle seems to be mostly snarky put downs from both sides. His off time is spent on the golf course, not doing things with his family.

Acting like he cares about relatives further afield is too much work. Also, I believe he manipulates people within the White House to get them to do his dirty work and to set them at each others' throats, simply for entertainment.

[Bori]

Good morning to everyone! Some interesting news from unexpected quarters.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/fracking-foes-cringe-unions-back-drilling-boom-23399494

I guess the unions are figuring out that fighting the SkyDragon without a job is suicide. Wait till they figure out about immigration.

[Janet - the districts lie fallow, while the Capitol gorges itself]

Did Obama ever acknowledge his beloved Auntie's death?

from Obama's Easter address 4-19-2014

"To remember, I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper. Whatever your faith, believer or nonbeliever, there’s no better time to rededicate ourselves to that universal mission."...except if your name is Zeituni.
But then again, he didn't say to remember that "I am my aunt's keeper".

[Janet - the districts lie fallow, while the Capitol gorges itself]

--Did Obama ever acknowledge his beloved Auntie's death?--

from Obama's Easter address 4-19-2014

"To remember, I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper. Whatever your faith, believer or nonbeliever, there’s no better time to rededicate ourselves to that universal mission."...except if your name is Zeituni.
But then again, he didn't say to remember that "I am my aunt's keeper".

[Jim Eagle]

TypePad has become a regular echo chamber after its DDOS fix.

[maryrose]

Dave in MA:
"Really bites the wax tadpole!" I love that expression.
Jane : I am thinking of all of you in Massachusetts today.
I think the most ironic thing about the ACA is that it doesn't matter what numbers they quote. Sibelius denied she said 7million then stated it and then Obama lied anbout it and then doubled down with 8 million. It;s not affordable , fewer people other than Medicaid are covered and in Georgia, only half have paid a premium. This is not success by any means. of evaluation.

[maryrose]

Dave in MA:
"Really bites the wax tadpole!" I love that expression.
Jane : I am thinking of all of you in Massachusetts today.
I think the most ironic thing about the ACA is that it doesn't matter what numbers they quote. Sibelius denied she said 7million then stated it and then Obama lied anbout it and then doubled down with 8 million. It;s not affordable , fewer people other than Medicaid are covered and in Georgia, only half have paid a premium. This is not success by any means. of evaluation.

[Miss Marple]

NK, I sort of think that second opinion is right. He knows well enough he is supposed to act like he cares about his wife and daughters, but really, he isn't with them that much anymore and he always seems detached when he is.

His relationship with Michelle seems to be mostly snarky put downs from both sides. His off time is spent on the golf course, not doing things with his family.

Acting like he cares about relatives further afield is too much work. Also, I believe he manipulates people within the White House to get them to do his dirty work and to set them at each others' throats, simply for entertainment.

[Jim Eagle]

TypePad has become a regular echo chamber after its DDOS fix.

[maryrose]

Dave in MA:
"Really bites the wax tadpole!" I love that expression.
Jane : I am thinking of all of you in Massachusetts today.
I think the most ironic thing about the ACA is that it doesn't matter what numbers they quote. Sibelius denied she said 7million then stated it and then Obama lied anbout it and then doubled down with 8 million. It;s not affordable , fewer people other than Medicaid are covered and in Georgia, only half have paid a premium. This is not success by any means. of evaluation.Typepad is giving me a hard time.

[Miss Marple]

Now getting an error reading when I try to post.

If a long post shows up multiple times, it is because I have tried to post multiple times.

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

MissM-- I vote your second option.

[maryrose]

Dave in MA:
"Really bites the wax tadpole!" I love that expression.
Jane : I am thinking of all of you in Massachusetts today.
I think the most ironic thing about the ACA is that it doesn't matter what numbers they quote. Sibelius denied she said 7million then stated it and then Obama lied anbout it and then doubled down with 8 million. It;s not affordable , fewer people other than Medicaid are covered and in Georgia, only half have paid a premium. This is not success by any means. of evaluation.Typepad is giving me a hard time.

[maryrose]

Dave in MA:
"Really bites the wax tadpole!" I love that expression.
Jane : I am thinking of all of you in Massachusetts today.
I think the most ironic thing about the ACA is that it doesn't matter what numbers they quote. Sibelius denied she said 7million then stated it and then Obama lied anbout it and then doubled down with 8 million. It;s not affordable , fewer people other than Medicaid are covered and in Georgia, only half have paid a premium. This is not success by any means. of evaluation.Typepad is giving me a hard time.