John Bolton grades the Obama Administration’s foreign policy record
"There's no one else in the world who will stand up for America's interests if we won't."
As part of part of Hillsdale
College’s DC-based Kirby Center for the Constitution and Citizenship
“First Principles on First Fridays” lecture series, John Bolton spoke at the Heritage Foundation today. 9/11 is of course a somber anniversary for our country, and a fitting moment to reflect on how how American foreign policy is being shaped in the post-George W. Bush era.
In Ambassador Bolton’s view, it is not a pretty picture. He graded President Obama’s performance as ”absent.” As Bolton pointed out in his remarks, the administration is pursuing a course of “Neo-Isolationism,” the point of which appears to be withdrawing American forces and refraining from using American influence around the world because such actions might be objectionable to the global community. Ambassador Bolton noted that while President Obama has declared he believes in “American exceptionalism ,” the President followed up that assertion by saying he believed in it just as he suspects “that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism.” By this logic all countries are exceptional in their own view–which should make everyone feel good–but the problem is that then no country is truly exceptional, including America. This approach, Bolton surmised, has been the guiding principle that unites the President’s repeated offers to negotiate directly with Iran, enabling of the dog-and-pony show that was former President Clinton’s visit to North Korean, and eagerness to cede power to the International Criminal Court–while presiding over the evisceration of the Defense budget. Ambassador Bolton was particularly outspoken on the current situation in Honduras, in which the administration is siding with Hugo Chavez, Daniel Ortega and Fidel Castro and against Honduras’ constitutional process. He gave that situation “an F. No question about it. This is a disgrace.”
After the lecture, Ambassador Bolton graciously granted Redstate an exclusive interview to follow up on the formation (or lack thereof) of foreign policy by President Obama’s national security team, Hugo Chavez’ mischief-making around the globe, and the ramifications of the Obama administration’s policy towards Israel. Click here to listen to the full podcast.
California Senate Primary Mudslinging begins [Updated]
Updated at the bottom.
We all already knew that if Carly Fiorina were to win the Republican nomination to challenge Senator Barbara Boxer next year, that Boxer would use Fiorina’s record as CEO of Hewlett-Packard against us. Many people still curse Fiorina for how she led the firm, and many of those people live in parts of the state we’d like to win in order to win a statewide election.
So it’s not entirely surprising that Chuck DeVore is already attempting to use HP against Fiorina. As the San Jose Mercury-News reports, DeVore alleges that HP began circumventing US export restrictions under Fiorina’s leadership, sending technology to Iran illegally through a third party, the Redington Gulf company.
If it’s true it needs to come out now, during the primary, so that it doesn’t hurt us in the general. If it’s false it needs to be refuted now, during the primary, so that it’s old news in case Boxer and the California Democrats attempt to use it in the general.
Fiorina already has a reputation with fans (yes, fans) of HP. There are people who loved its computers, its printers, its calculators, or it other products. For the people who loved the computers, the Compaq merger had an emotional impact. The people who hate (yes, hate) Fiorina because of her time at HP may be pre-disposed to believe she committed criminal acts at the company, and if she wants to be our nominee, she should clear this up as soon as possible.
Update: I am informed by a DeVore-linked source that Chuck DeVore was not pushing this story to the press, but rather he was asked for a quote to be included in a story that was already being written.
Gawker Media: Only terrorist furriners have rights
You may recall that during the Bush administration and the Presidential campaign, Gizmodo was constantly harping on wiretaps of terrorists. Specifically, Gizmodo claimed that the Bush-era program constituted “domestic spying,” that telecommunications firms spied as well, and that they ‘won’ out over the American people on the matter.
They were practically in hysterics, hiding under sheets and crying into a camera “Leave the phones alone, Bushitler” over the matter.
So imagine my surprise when I find out today that when Nokia is being protested for taking part in a genuine domestic spying program of the Iranian Islamofascist regime, they don’t care. It’s not even worth a post. It’s so unimportant they go out of their way to say they didn’t post on it.
So, to recap: American firms aiding the US government in spying on calls between foreign-based terrorists and their US-based cells: a crime for which they must not get immunity. Foreign firm aiding the Iranian government in oppressing the opposition: “Nokia’s role here seems to be the same as a car company’s role in a drunk-driving incident.”
Clearly the signal here is that the Iranians just don’t really need rights, unless they’re terrorists plotting attacks against Americans. After all, they’re only foreign Muslims. They don’t even have a European complexion. Gawker must think they’re barely even people, which is why they opposed liberating brown-skinned Muslims from Saddam Hussein, and they oppose brown-skinned Muslims from liberating themselves from the Islamic Revolution.
Iranian regime falls back on old tricks.
As in, trying to incite the populace against a long-established demon figure.
The British government is “deeply concerned” at the arrest and detention of British Embassy employees in Tehran, the foreign secretary said today.
David Miliband said Britain had protested to the Iranian authorities about the arrests made on Saturday.
He described the detentions as “harassment and intimidation of a kind that is quite unacceptable”. He added: “We want to see (them) released unharmed.”
Iranian media reported today that authorities had detained eight employees of the British Embassy in Tehran for an alleged role in postelection protests, signaling a hardening of Iran’s stance toward the west.
No, it’s not always about us.
The many and varied positions, declarations, and affirmations of Barack Obama relating to Iran. As presented by the White House.
After weeks of criticism from both Republicans and Democrats that Barack Obama had taken many varied positions on Iran, the White House sought to admit the criticism was true.
From the actual White House website with no alterations whatsoever:
(click the image for a larger view)
An Uncertain Trumpet: Obama Plays to Lose In Iran
the administration licks an ice cream cone while Tehran burns
Supporters of Mousavi Demonstrate in Tehran
Much of the world has been mesmerized by the situation in Iran following the election on June 12 and Ahmadinejad’s questionable victory over Mir-Houssein Mousavi.
As the protests have increased in number and intensity and the official violence directed at them has surged, much of the American public as well as the press has rallied to the cause of the protesters. The US government has also jumped on the bandwagon. An obligatory resolution supporting the protesters passed the House 405-1. Obama had ice cream. It short, the attention of the government has been riveted on what is going on in the streets of Tehran.
But does the outcome of this really matter to us? Or does it matter in the way a lot of folks think it matters?
Allahpundit: is this an Ahmadinejad conspiracy tape?
The video is via here:
…and is in Farsi, obviously, which neither Allahpundit nor I speak. The Jawa Report has more; the translations that exist so far are problematical. Allahpundit goes on to say:
I realize that aside from Tapper and a few people at Fox virtually no one in big media reads our site, but I’d like to think we have enough of an audience to collectively figure out what’s going on here. Any Farsi speakers/Iran experts willing and able to help? I’m 90% sure this can’t be as significant as it seems, but the 10% chance makes it worth investigating.
So if you have the right skill set, contact either him or the Jawas.
Moe Lane
Obama’s press conference - first impression
It was simply amazing. The fog the mainstream media’s infatuation with President Obama is obviously beginning to wear off.
At today’s press conference, reporters finally asked Obama some tough questions. Obama was taken aback by the change in tone. As a result, we did not see the smooth articulate teleprompter-reader we normally see. Obama was on the defensive as soon as his opening remarks were done and the questions began.
Obama took questions from 13 reporters. Six questions concerned the aftermath of the Iranian election, two concerned health care reform, two concerned the economy and the other three questions concerned Obama’s smoking, Latin America and financial regulation reform.
Despite Obama’s assertions to the contrary, his answers about Iran, were not consistent with what he has said previously.
Obama’s performance was not terrible, but was clearly his worst effort so far. Next time Obama should do more preparation. The honeymoon is ending.
Hot dogs in public, credit-taking in private: the White House’s search for an Iranian domestic strategy.
Gird your loins.
Question: What do these two stories have in common?
Iran Unrest Reveals Split In U.S. on Its Role Abroad
[snip]
Obama’s approach to Iran, including his assertion that the unrest there represents a debate among Iranians unrelated to the United States, is an acknowledgment that a U.S. president’s words have a limited ability to alter foreign events in real time and could do more harm than good. But privately Obama advisers are crediting his Cairo speech for inspiring the protesters, especially the young ones, who are now posing the most direct challenge to the republic’s Islamic authority in its 30-year history.
[Via The Campaign Spot]
US says hot dog diplomacy still on with IranWASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States said Monday its invitations were still standing for Iranian diplomats to attend July 4 celebrations at US embassies despite the crackdown on opposition supporters.
President Barack Obama’s administration said earlier this month it would invite Iran to US embassy barbecues for the national holiday for the first time since the two nations severed relations following the 1979 Islamic revolution.
[Via Weasel Zippers, via Hot Air]
Answer: Both demonstrate that the administration’s only real focus on any issue is its effect on domestic policy.
Meet the Basij, Iran’s thug militia
Or better yet, pray you never have to.
If you’ve watched any of the televised images from Iran since the people first went into the streets to protest their country’s rigged election, you’ve seen them in action. That bunch of thugs wearing civilian garb and clubbing protesters with nightsticks are the Basij — Niruyeh Moghavemat Basij is the formal name — the militia the mullahs use to maintain control of Iran’s population.
In addition to their nightsticks (some of which are electrically charged), members of the Basij (pronounced buh-SEEJ) also wield chains, knives and axes, and they ride around on small motorbikes. A commenter on CNN this weekend described them as “a cross between Hell’s Angels and Al-Qaeda.” While their motorbikes are small compared to the hogs the Angels ride, don’t laugh. The little bikes have more than enough power to chase down young Iranians who are fleeing for their lives.
We support the people of Iran
We stand by those who stand up for freedom.
It has been said on numerous occasions and by various politicians and pundits that it was an extraordinary week in the life of the nation of Iran. On June 12, from the very moment that the Iranian presidential election results were announced, the international community and the international press questioned the results. The primary reason for our disbelief in the declared result is that millions of paper ballots were collected and counted in mere hours. This occurred even before the extraordinary demonstrations in the street began.
The disbelief on the part of the international community was shared by many Iranian citizens. And while the defeated candidate launched a legal appeal, what ensued on the streets of Tehran, at least according to the BBC, were the largest public demonstrations in the Islamic republic’s 30-year history. It seems that many Iranians have gotten a whiff of freedom and are willing to lay down their lives in the streets of Iran to secure that freedom.
Sadly, as the people have rallied the Iranian government has responded with more violence and oppression, causing numerous fatalities and the arrest of dissidents. We have learned of reporters prevented from making their reports public and the jamming of electronic communications. We may well be witnessing a Tiananmen in Tehran.
‘Don’t tell me words don’t matter.’
It’s not just us who listen to our broadcasts, you know.
President Obama argued yesterday that there is little difference between Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and challenger Mir-Hossein Mousavi on policies critical to the U.S.
“It’s important to understand that although there is amazing ferment taking place in Iran, that the difference between Ahmadinejad and Mousavi in terms of their actual policies may not be as great as has been advertised,” the president told CNBC.
Via @allahpundit.
Iran: The Biggest Domino
It's The Mullahs, Stupid
I know it’s redundant to tell people to read Charles Krauthammer - really, you are doing Friday wrong if you don’t read his column every week - but he boils down the essential stakes in Iran neatly, and reminds us that this isn’t just about Ahmadenijad vs Mousavi. Samples:
[T]his incipient revolution is no longer about the election. Obama totally misses the point. The election allowed the political space and provided the spark for the eruption of anti-regime fervor that has been simmering for years and awaiting its moment. But people aren’t dying in the street because they want a recount of hanging chads in suburban Isfahan. They want to bring down the tyrannical, misogynist, corrupt theocracy that has imposed itself with the very baton-wielding goons that today attack the demonstrators.
As Bill Clinton might put it: it’s the mullahs, stupid. Krauthammer, as always, looks at this from the broader perspective of regional/global strategic dynamics. The stakes, if the regime falls:
House Passes Iran Election Resolution
The House today voted to support Iranian dissidents and “all Iranians who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties and the rule of law.” The resolution
(H Res 560) passed with 405 yea votes and only one nay, and two members voting present.
As I said earlier, and as many of our Representatives emphasized today, this has nothing to do with supporting Mousavi. In fact it offers no commentary on Mousavi whatsoever. This resolution is about supporting the cause of freedom. As Congressman Pence stated “The cause of America is freedom.”
Click through for some other floor speech excerpts I thought noteworthy. And here are Pence’s full closing remarks:
Bipartisan Resolution to Stand With Iranian Dissidents
Congressmen Go Where Presidents Fear To Tread
The unrest in Iran continues apace, and while the media coverage remains sparse, word nevertheless gets out of Iran thanks to our modern age and, in particular, to Twitter. As Moe notes, the situation is complex. The cast of key figures holds few heroes. But then, it’s not really about Mousavi, is it?
It’s about the thousands of individual Iranians, from citizen reporters on Twitter to underground hip-hop stars, who believe their vote, and voice, should matter. It’s about the fact that they are taking to the streets in protest for that right. It’s about their belief that they ought to have a say in their destiny and their government. It’s about a Muslim nation with a rogue government being stalled and thwarted by thousands of citizens demanding their individual rights be honored.
On both the right and the left, on the blogs, at twitter, among the pundits, this is largely a shared sentiment. Sure there are some who cynically object - ignorant celebrities or Obama loyalists. But for the most part, the web has seen a sea of green in support of the people of Iran exercising their right to self-determination. And now we see some in Congress standing up.
U.S. Congressman Mike Pence (R-Ind.), Chairman of the House Republican Conference, and Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, have introduced a resolution that goes where the President fears to tread: explicit support for the Iranian dissidents. Said Congressman Pence:
“This is an important moment for the Congress, our country and the people of Iran. For days hundreds of thousands of dissidents have taken to the streets of Iran in support of freedom and democracy. The American cause is freedom and in that cause the American people will not be silent. I am honored to join Chairman Berman in offering this important resolution. The joint resolution I and Chairman Berman introduced will give voice to countless Americans who stand with the Iranian dissidents as they stand up for freedom. I urge Members on both side of the aisle to support this important resolution and I hope for its immediate consideration.”
So far, support for the dissidents in Iran from America has been largely from inviduals, bloggers, twitterers, and pundits. Congressman Pence’s resolution will be the strongest official response to date.
Click through for the reported text of the resolution:
Fiddling as Tehran burns.
Charles Krauthammer, a man who is apparently constitutionally incapable of suffering fools at all (and never mind ‘gladly’), waxed wroth on the implication that the President’s response to the ongoing Iranian crisis was in any way similar to Pope John Paul II’s response to the Solidarity strikers:
The president is also speaking in code. The Pope spoke in a code which was implicit and understood support for the forces of freedom.
The code the administration is using is implicit to support for this repressive, tyrannical regime.
We watched Gibbs say that what’s going on is vigorous debate. The shooting of eight demonstrators is not debate. The knocking of heads, bloodying of demonstrators by the Revolutionary Guards is not debate. The arbitrary arrest of journalists, political opposition, and students is not debate.
And to call it a debate and to use this neutral and denatured language is disgraceful.
Say Goodbye To Cairo: Why The Iranian Crisis Reveals The Hollowness of The Cairo Speech
Neither Hope Nor Change For The Iranian People
The Obama Administration’s response to protests against the Iranian regime’s contempt for even its own thin facade of democracy has been markedly muted and tentative; even the French Government has spoken out more clearly against the fraudulence of the presidential election and the mullahs’ suppression of the Iranian people than has President Obama. One conclusion we can draw from Obama’s failure to offer support for the Iranian people against their theocrat masters is that it eviscerates the entire point of his Cairo speech to the ‘Muslim world’.
Did Obama Admin. Try to Take Credit for Twitter’s Iran Coverage?
The U.S. State Dept.:If we can't make good news, we'll steal it.
Some attention was paid to the fact that the newest social networking website, Twitter, had decided to push off its scheduled maintenance Tuesday morning as the situation in Iran became steadily more embroiled in conflict. As it happened, Twitter was a major source of information coming out of that repressed society as news was happening. Twitter had, though, scheduled a few hours down time just when Iran was at a peak of activity. So, in order to keep the flow of communication to the outside world flowing, Twitter announced it would not turn off its service until Iran calmed down.
This is pretty interesting news, that a mere social networking site was so deeply involved in momentous news of the day and that it became so relied upon by people hungry for news and interested in discussing a major democratic movement is definitely a new thing. It is especially interesting because the U.S. media so badly fell down on its job of reporting activities in Iran making Twitter a vital tool for communication. But what was even more interesting was that Obama’s State Department tried to claim credit for Twitter’s decision to stay in operation during the day.
Pence Stands With Iranian Dissidents
Today Congressman Mike Pence - a member of the House Republican Leadership - introduced a resolution to make clear that the US supports the brave dissidents who are risking their lives for democracy in Iran.
This ought to be a no-brainer. The United States has helped make the world’s most dangerous hot spot somewhat safer by supporting democracy in the Middle East. As Moe has pointed out, the emergence of a democracy in Iraq has encouraged other nations to demand the right to choose their own leaders. The world can only become safer if the people of Iran win their fight to choose the man who replaces Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Pence’s resolution says:
Whereas the United States supports the right of the citizens of Iran to have free and independent elections for the selection of their political leaders;
Whereas Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that ‘‘(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives; (2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country; (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures’’;
