The Sighing Dutchman
columnist: Matthew Bastian

Topic: Obama
Tyrants and Their Tantrums

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What’s a president to do? The old adage is that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Chances are, though, that these flies have no intention of being caught either way.

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by Matthew Bastian
(conservative)
Friday, November 13, 2009

Three American hikers, originally detained in July for straying over the border into Iran, were accused of spying this week, according to Tehran's chief prosecutor. The charges are a farce, of course, only slightly less ridiculous than if the mullahs were to suspect Chevy Chase of espionage for his Central Asian escapades in Spies Like Us. Still, the Iranians have another chip to play in the looming showdown over their nuclear ambitions.

Iran's defiant move is yet another rebuke of President Obama's diplomatic maneuvering, despite his determined outreach efforts. Displaying endless amounts of patience and trust, the Obama team clings to the notion that it can talk the Iranians out of going nuclear. Their reward is a trumped-up espionage charge on three Americans with a poor sense of direction and a curious choice of recreation spots.

It wasn't supposed to be this difficult. From the "we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist" line to the RESET button Secretary of State Clinton gave her Russian counterpart, the president's foreign policy strategy since Day One has hinged on the premise that he's not like the previous guy. Since taking office, in major speeches from Cairo to Strasbourg, the president struck an apologetic tone for the pre-Obama years that was as refreshing to those on the Left as it was irritating to those on the Right. The "shock and awe" of his charm offensive was supposed to bring allies into the fold and enemies to the negotiating table.

There was always a presumptuous undercurrent to his approach, but Obama deserved the benefit of the doubt. Now ten months in, it's time to assess the results: What do we have to show for all the contrite overtures and supplications other than the subjective claim that "we have a better standing in the world community"?

To be fair, polls in Europe show that the president is indeed wildly popular. One recent study found that 77% of the European Union, plus Turkey, approve of Obama's handling of international affairs. His predecessor got 19% in the same poll last year. But winning over the hearts and minds of Parisian cafe-goers was neither the challenge nor the goal - a department store mannequin could likely have done the same simply for not being George Bush. All that popularity is useless unless Obama can marshal support when and where he needs it.

Thus far, his return on investment is disappointing. Our NATO allies continue to balk at making major troop commitments in Afghanistan, in part because the president himself has been ruminating on strategy for eleven weeks and counting. In Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei made a speech denouncing Obama's friendly overtures, calling any discussions with the U.S. "naive and perverted." Not to be outdone, President Ahmadinejad recently said that Obama must choose between Israel and Iran, knowing that's a false choice for any president.

Further east, a petulant North Korea, led by Kim Jong-Il, lobs a new missile into the sea every few months, as if to remind the world that they, too, demand attention. Like Iran, the North Koreans have played coy with their nuclear ambitions, in defiance of UN resolutions and sanctions. In our own hemisphere, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez recently told his army to prepare for a U.S.-led attack out of neighboring Colombia. He's also tight with Ahmadinejad, having promised 20,000 barrels of gasoline per day and a uranium exploration deal to soften the blow of any sanctions against Iran.

What's a president to do? The old adage is that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Chances are, though, that these flies have no intention of being caught either way.

Indeed, the likes of Ahmadinejad, Chavez and Mr. Kim may never cooperate with America, despite the current president's exhaustive efforts, because they can't. Tyrants must always have a bete noire, a boogeyman upon which to project the misery and misfortune of their own people and to deflect the criticism of failed policies: "Your situation would be much better if not for the imperialist actions of the Yankee Oppressor." Once you make nice with said Yankee Oppressor, of course, that foil is gone and a restless citizenry is no longer distracted.

Chavez, in particular, has fashioned his political persona around being the anti-American agitator, the burr under the Great Satan's saddle. How does he re-brand his image and find a new shtick once he's photographed shaking hands with Secretary Clinton over the U.S.-Venezuela Mutual Understanding Pact? Derek Jeter would sooner be caught wearing a Boston Red Sox cap.

That's not to fault Mr. Obama for trying a new approach.  The Bush method was no more successful reining in rogue nations or getting NATO to go all-in on Afghanistan.  What the president is finding, however, is that it is easy, perhaps even noble, to extend the olive branch.

When the other guy pokes you in the eye with it, though, it's time for Plan B.

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©2009 Matthew Bastian, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Friday, November 13, 2009
Last modified: Friday, November 13, 2009

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