Obama Befuddled By Iran And Syria

Obama Still Hoping For Change From Ahmadinejad And Assad

AS A SENATOR, OBAMA LOOKED TOWARD IRAN AND SYRIA TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN THE MIDDLE EAST

In 2006, Obama Advocated Telling Syria And Iran “To Take Some Ownership Over The Process” In Iraq. OBAMA: “The second thing I think the President needs to do is to gather up all the regional powers, including Iran and Syria who, to some degree, are enjoying watching us flounder there, but will not enjoy millions of refugees if Iraq collapses completely, and to them say, ‘You have to take some ownership over the process as well, the international community, but particularly, the Arab states in the surrounding region.” (Senator Barack Obama, Event At The Kennedy Library, Boston, MA, 10/20/06)

AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, OBAMA SAID HE WOULD MEET ASSAD AND AHMADINEJAD WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS

During A July 2007 Debate, Obama Said He Would Meet With The Leaders Of State Sponsors Of Terror “Without Precondition.” QUESTION: “[W]ould you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, in Washington or anywhere else, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?” OBAMA: “I would. And the reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them — which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration – is ridiculous.” (CNN/YouTube Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

In September 2007, Obama Confirmed That He Would Meet With Iranian President Ahmadinejad. QUESTION: “Senator, you’ve said before that you’d meet with President Ahmadinejad…” OBAMA: “Uh huh.” QUESTION: “Would you still meet with him today?” OBAMA: “Yeah, nothing’s changed with respect to my belief that strong countries and strong presidents talk to their enemies and talk to their adversaries.” (Senator Barack Obama, Press Conference, New York, NY, 9/24/07)

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AT FIRST AS PRESIDENT, OBAMA IGNORED REALITY BY TRYING TO “ENGAGE” OPPRESSIVE REGIMES IN SYRIA AND IRAN

“Obama: We Must Engage Syria And Iran In Middle East Peace Efforts.” (Haaretz, 1/15/09)

In January 2009, Obama Told CBS News That “We’re Gonna Have To Involve Syria In Discussions” And “Engage Iran In Ways That We Have Not Before.” OBAMA: “We can’t kick the can down the road. We’re gonna have to take a regional approach. We’re gonna have to involve Syria in discussions. We’re gonna have to engage Iran in ways that we have not before.” (President Barack Obama, CBS Interview, 1/14/09)

Secretary Clinton Said Assad Was A “Different Leader” From His Autocratic Father And Called Him A “Reformer.” CBS’ BOB SCHIEFFER: “But I mean, how can that be worse than what has happened in Syria over the years, where Bashar Assad’s father killed 25,000 people at (inaudible). I mean, they opened fire with live ammunition on these civilians. Why is that different from Libya? This is the friend of Iran, an enemy of Israel?” CLINTON: “Well, if there were a coalition of the international community, if there were the passage of a Security Council resolution, if there were a call by the Arab League, if there was a condemnation that was universal. But that is not going to happen because I don`t think that it’s yet clear what will occur, what will unfold. There is a different leader in Syria now. Many of the members of congress of both parties who have gone to Syria in recent months have said they believe he’s a reformer. What’s been happening there the last few weeks is deeply concerning. But there’s a different between calling out aircraft and indiscriminately strafing and bombing your own cities than police actions which frankly have exceeded the use of force that any of us would want to see.” (CBS’ “Face The Nation,” 3/27/11)

Secretary Clinton: “I Don’t Think Anyone Can Doubt That Our Outreach Has Produced Very Little In Terms Of Any Kind Of Positive Response From The Iranians.” “The Obama administration’s nearly yearlong effort to engage Iran has fallen short and new sanctions are needed to press the Iranian leadership to come clean about its suspect nuclear program, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said yesterday.’I don’t think anyone can doubt that our outreach has produced very little in terms of any kind of a positive response from the Iranians,’ she told reporters at a State Department news conference.”(Matthew Lee, “Clinton: Outreach To Iran Has Failed,” The Associated Press, 12/15/09)

• “U.S. Military Commanders In Iraq Say Iranian-Made Weaponry Is Killing American Troops There At An Unprecedented Pace, Posing New Dangers To The Remaining Forces And Highlighting Tehran’s Intensifying Push To Gain Influence Over Post-U.S. Iraq.” (Yochi J. Dreazen, “Record Number Of U.S. Troops Killed By Iranian Weapons,” National Journal, 7/29/11)
• Iran Has “Increased Its Political Outreach And Arms Shipments To Rebels” In Yemen And Continues To Arm The Assad Regime In Syria. “Iran has denied any government-backed effort to foment unrest in Afghanistan, but American officials see a pattern of malign meddling to increase Iran’s influence across the Middle East and South Asia. Iran appears to have increased its political outreach and arms shipments to rebels and other political figures in Yemen, and it is arming and advising the embattled government of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria.” (Thom Shanker, Eric Schmitt and Alissa Rubin, “U.S. Sees Iran in Bids To Stir Unrest In Afghanistan,” The New York Times, 4/4/12)

AND WAS SILENT AS IRAN AND SYRIA MURDERED PROTESTORS

Obama Was Silent While Iranian Government Arrested And Murdered Peaceful Iranian Protestors In 2009. “You hear the greatest letdown on Iran. Reform-minded Muslims are disappointed that Obama has been reluctant to lead an international campaign against the Iranian regime… Obama has carefully calibrated his comments to the Iranian government’s increasing repression.” (William Schneider, “A Too-Careful Approach On Iran?”National Journal, 7/18/09)

• As A Candidate, Obama Had Promised To “Stand For The Human Rights” Of Iranian Dissidents. OBAMA: “Will we stand for the human rights of the dissident in Burma, the blogger in Iran, or the voter in Zimbabwe? Will we give meaning to the words ‘never again’ in Darfur?” (Senator Barack Obama, Remarks, Berlin, Germany, 7/24/08)

The Wall Street Journal : “Throughout This Turbulent Year In Iran, The White House Has Been Behind The Democratic Curve.” “Throughout this turbulent year in Iran, the White House has been behind the democratic curve. When the demonstrations started, Mr. Obama abdicated his moral authority by refusing to take sides, while pushing ahead with plans to negotiate a grand diplomatic bargain with Mr. Ahmadinejad that trades recognition for suspending the nuclear program.” (Editorial, “The Peoples’ Revolt in Iran,” The Wall Street Journal, 12/22/09)

• Obama’s Response Was “Strained” In An Attempt To Maintain A Dialogue With The Iranian Government. “The result has been a gradually evolving message that at times has seemed strained, drawing some of the harshest criticism, especially from conservatives, since he took office. . . . Understanding clearly why Mr. Obama is still taking such pains to keep the door open to the Iranian government requires rewinding back to July 23, 2007, and Charleston, S.C. During a Democratic presidential debate at the Citadel, Mr. Obama and the other candidates were asked if, during their first year as president, they would be willing to meet without preconditions with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea. ‘I would,’ Mr. Obama replied.” (Helene Cooper, “Bit By Careful Bit, Obama Toughens Stance On Iran,” The New York Times, 6/24/09)

• Obama Stood By While “The Thugs Of The Islamic Republic Ruthlessly Crushed The Demonstrations.” “In each case, the president faced stark alternatives. He could try to catch the wave, Bismarck style, by lending his support to the youthful revolutionaries and trying to ride it in a direction advantageous to American interests. Or he could do nothing and let the forces of reaction prevail. In the case of Iran, he did nothing, and the thugs of the Islamic Republic ruthlessly crushed the demonstrations.” (Niall Ferguson, “Wanted: A Grand Strategy For America,” Newsweek , 2/14/11)
• And He Ignored Allegations Of Election Fraud, Saying He Hoped There Would Be No “Further Violence.” “The president said the disputed election would not change his belief in greater diplomatic efforts with Iran. . . . He added that the United States had no observers watching the election so he could not comment on allegations of fraud. He noted that the Iranian government promised an investigation, and said he hoped it would be done fairly and without any further violence.” (Jake Tapper, “President Obama On Protests In Iran: ‘It Would Be Wrong For Me To Be Silent’,” ABC , 6/15/09)

Over The Past Year, Obama’s Inaction In Syria Has Been “Shameful.” “As a moral matter, the stance of the United States is shameful. To stand by passively while hundreds of people seeking freedom are gunned down by their government makes a mockery of the U.S. commitment to human rights. In recent months President Obama has pledged repeatedly that he would support the aspiration of Arabs for greater freedom. In Syria, he has not kept his word.” (Editorial, “Shameful U.S. Inaction On Syria’s Massacres,” The Washington Post,4/22/11)

• The Wall Street Journal :”It Took Months For The President To Call For Mr. Assad To Go-And That’s Despite The Assad Family’s 40-Year Track Record Of Hostility To The U.S. And Its Support For Terrorism.” “That’s one of the many mysteries of the Administration’s policy toward Syria. Unlike with Egypt, where Mr. Obama was quick to call for Hosni Mubarak’s departure despite his 30-year alliance with the U.S., it took months for the President to call for Mr. Assad to go-and that’s despite the Assad family’s 40-year track record of hostility to the U.S. and its support for terrorism.” (Editorial, “If Assad Survives,” The Wall Street Journal, 4/9/12)

Recent Clashes In Damascus “Suggested That Diplomacy Had Made Little Headway In Resolving The Conflict; By Contrast, The Syrian Army Appeared To Have Advanced Significantly.” “But the timing, location and intensity of the Damascus clashes suggested that diplomacy had made little headway in resolving the conflict. By contrast, the Syrian Army appeared to have advanced significantly in recent days against rebel enclaves around the country, from the northern city of Idlib to Dara’a in the south, the birthplace of the protests that began last March.” (Anne Barnard, “Syrian Insurgents Accused Of Rights Abuses,” The New York Times , 3/20/12)

• “Assad Must Go” Appears To Be Just “Another Hollow Line” From The Obama Administration. “This ought to prompt some thinking by the Obama Administration about what it would mean if Mr. Assad survives. This is a humanitarian and strategic concern. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said repeatedly that ‘Assad must go.’ Does the U.S. mean it, or is it another hollow line, like calling an Iranian nuclear bomb ‘unacceptable’?” (Editorial, “If Assad Survives,”The Wall Street Journal, 4/9/12)

NOW, OBAMA IS RELEGATED TO SPEAKING OUT AND LOOKING FOR WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY

Obama Will Continue To “Speak Out Forcefully” Against The “Massacre Of Civilians In Syria,” And He Hopes The Latest Negotiations In Iran Will Provide “A Window Of Opportunity.” OBAMA: “The ongoing massacre of civilians in Syria is an example where the international community has to speak out forcefully. There are no easy answers in terms of us putting a stop to these killings, but we have to apply every bit of pressure we can to effectuate a peaceful, or at least more peaceful, transition to a legitimate government inside of Syria. As for Iran, I came into office in 2009 saying, ‘Let’s see if we can end 30 years of mistrust between the United States and Iran.’ That outstretched hand was rebuffed, in part, because Iran embarked on repression of its own people after the elections in 2009, and they continue to pursue a nuclear program that nobody in the international community believes is simply for peaceful purposes. So we have another round of talks taking place between Iran and the P5-plus-1 – we just announced them today. There is a window of opportunity to resolve this issue diplomatically, and that is my fervent preference. There’s no reason why Iran shouldn’t be able to rejoin the community of nations and prosper. They have incredibly talented and sophisticated people there. But this continuing pursuit of nuclear weapons capability continues to be a major challenge, and it’s going to be consuming a lot of my time and energy over the next several months.” (Jann Wenner, “Ready For The Fight: Rolling Stone Interview With Barack Obama,” Rolling Stone , 4/25/12)