Obama's Contraditory ME Policy: Voice support for democracy, but actually support militancy

[Distant Observer]

American policy is now totally contradictory.

PEACEFUL protest movements in the Arabia -- Bahrain, Yemen, Syria -- have been approach with a 10 ft pole (more like a 10k mile pole), while Clinton is flying all over the world pushing financial and military support for the MILITANT insurrection in Libya.

US is "shocked," when oppressive military regimes shoot peaceful protesters in Arab countries, but does not blink when Israel does the same, year after year and now on its borders with Arab countries.

US policy is to support "Democracy" but pours cold water on Bahraini majority that calls for democracy over Monarchy but launches military strikes on behalf of Libyan Islamic militants that refuse to accept open and free elections and vocally reject religious tolerance.

I guess this is going to be a difficult speech.

[dionysus]

1. more like a BS thread.

[jefferson_dem]

2. Unrec...

For a rather lame attempt at FLAMEBAIT.

[damntexdem]

7. Hear, hear. And a further unrec.

[Distant Observer]

20. As democrats will we EVER seek a consistent ME policy? Do we have to accept the old way

[polichick]

3. Nothing new - U.S. propaganda has never matched its actions.

[Distant Observer]

13. But not the hypocricy and contradictions are massive -- Syria, history of repression, torture, mass

murder, but Obama has not much to say even while he bombs Libya which is like a suckling babe in comparison.

[emulatorloo]

4. Peaceful Protest movements are supported by the admin, but rightly they do not

want to appear they are "running the show". Because they aren't, and the perception would work against the protestors.

I think your analysis is too simplistic.

[elleng]

5. and not 'analysis' at all, in fact, simply 'dump;'

Thanks.

[Distant Observer]

8. Clinton gave geen light for Saudis to help crush Bahraini protest movement

The Saudi military actually rolled into Bahrain. The West did not try to stop them nor demand their removal.

Masked forces have "dissappeared" all of the protest leadership in the country as of today and have arrested journalists attempting to report on the story.

[AtomicKitten]

6. Blackwater has built a mercenary army to put down populist uprisings in the ME.

There's your boogieman.

[Distant Observer]

9. They are hired to manage protest in the Oil Monarchies, not in the other dictatorships

[AtomicKitten]

11. Did I say otherwise?

No.

[Distant Observer]

10. Sad speech -- Impotence vs Israel and Arab Oil Monarchs

[BOG PERSON]

12. speeches like today's are a positive thing

they help dispel any illusions vacillating sections of the ME population might have about who their friends are.

[Distant Observer]

14. Pls elaborate. Speech did not say much. Obama look impotent re Israel and Monarchs of Oil

[BOG PERSON]

15. i don't see impotence

i see US complicity with israel + the monarchies and refusal - not reluctance - to change the status quo. as will most of the neutral sections or nonpartisans in the arab spring countries, i imagine. so now US policy in the region is obviously in direct conflict with the aspirations of the arab masses.

[Distant Observer]

16. I see. I prefer to give the Pres the benefit of the doubt re. his personal commitment

to try to do the right thing.

[BOG PERSON]

17. he's just one guy

even if he wants to, he can't overcome political/institutional inertia, make historical trends go his way, etc.

[Distant Observer]

19. I agree. Presidential power is largely a political illusion

[Distant Observer]

18. Did I just see Israel dismiss the Pres. very modest proposal. I am embarassed for him