QUOTE
Mar 26, 2012 12:50 PM GMT
As Joe Biden would say, "This is a big f ---ing deal."Foreign policy outside of the mid-east doesn't get too much attention here, but it will be made a significant issue in the election. Back in 2009 (link below from CBS) Obama unilaterally scrapped a missile defense shield for Europe as part of a "reset" of relations with Russia. He did this without demanding a quid pro quo from Russia, such as insisting they halt certain military systems exports to Iran or support sanctions. This unilateral action was seen by many to be a naive gaffe, demonstrating weakness. It was also done in a way that embarrassed our allies, again part of a pattern.
Along those same lines, his statement to Medvedev suggests more of the same, and indicates he knows his future actions would be unpopular with a large segment, so he wants to conceal his motives until after the election. It also shows how Obama is very willing to inject politics and his own personal ambitions into foreign policy. Country first? No, Obama first. No surprise to many of us, but this will be excellent material for the election.
He has also indicated interest in reducing our nuclear force by 80%. Would this also be unilateral, not requiring a quid pro quo from Russia, leaving them with 6,000 warheads to our 300?
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/03/26/obama-tells-medvedev-hell-have-more-flexibility-after-election-during-missile/
President Obama assured Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Monday that he'd have "more flexibility" after the November election, during a conversation that appeared to focus on the touchy issue of missile defense.
Obama, during a sit-down with Medvedev in Seoul, urged Moscow to give him "space" until after November. The conversation was relayed by a TV pool producer who listened to the recording from a Russian journalist.
"This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility," Obama told Medvedev.
Obama appeared to be asking Medvedev to relay this point to Vladimir Putin, who recently won election to return to the Russian presidency.
"On all these issues, but particularly missile defense ... this can be solved but it's important for him to give me space," Obama said.
Medvedev told the president he understood the "message about space. Space for you ..."
After Obama noted he'd have more flexibility in the future, Medvedev told him: "I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir."
more on site...
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Obama to Scrap Missile Shield Plan
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-202_162-5317088.html
