Egypt: A new "Obama Doctrine" is born

[Shea]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/...a-doctrine


Hosni Mubarak has still not grasped how fundamentally the old political order is changing in Egypt and the Arab world – but it seems Barack Obama has.

In a forceful statement after the Egyptian president's latest exercise in reality denial, Obama came off the fence following a fortnight of humming and hawing. If the choice is revolution or repression, democratic ideals and values or hard-nosed self-interest, then the US is officially on the side of the angels.

This dramatic shift could in time have a bigger impact on the Middle East than the Egyptian uprising. In sharply criticising the Cairo government's prevarications, demanding it respect universal values, and stressing that his administration stands shoulder to shoulder with the demonstrators in Tahrir Square, the US president dramatically changed the way his country does business in the region. This was, to all intents and purposes, the proclamation of an Obama doctrine.

SNIP

The implications of this new doctrine, for that is how it must be viewed, are almost endless. The most obvious point is that since the US is backing the popular pro-democracy revolt in Egypt, it is bound in all conscience to do so elsewhere, as occasion demands.

More at link . . . .

[mzmolly]

"This was, to all intents and purposes, the proclamation of an Obama doctrine."

I love it!

[Julie]

I think when the PrEsident spoke in Egypt he made his views clear. Glad he is reiterating that message at this crucial time!

Julie--posting from my phone

[There Is No Spoon]

...and now Mubarak has resigned.

Coincidence?

[Born_A_Truman]

Quote:If the choice is revolution or repression, democratic ideals and values or hard-nosed self-interest, then the US is officially on the side of the angels.

[OptimistesMaddie]

Already the Republicans are trying to give Junior and his administration credit for the topple of the Egyptian government. Just days ago Cheney was screaming about America must support Mubarek.

President Obama and Sec of State Hillary Clinton and their staffs helped make this happen by being patient and overtly not interfering. In other words implementing and practicing "Diplomacy"! This is a devastating blow to the Republicans.

[jaxx]

Nice article Shea.....the Obama Doctrine.

Our President has stepped forward in a very good way. I'm proud of him.

[Beetwasher]

Obama played this just right.

[sandnsea]

This was masterful. This is what should have happened in Iraq. Humming and hawing my hind-end. He increased pressure a little at a time, made sure a worse regime wouldn't take over, let it be clear this was coming from the Egyptian people and not US orchestrated, let it come to a full boil the way he always does -- and then stepped in and gave it a final push at the precisely right time.

[Cha]

(02-11-2011 02:15 PM)sandnsea Wrote:  This was masterful. This is what should have happened in Iraq. Humming and hawing my hind-end. He increased pressure a little at a time, made sure a worse regime wouldn't take over, let it be clear this was coming from the Egyptian people and not US orchestrated, let it come to a full boil the way he always does -- and then stepped in and gave it a final push at the precisely right time.

Exactly..whoever wrote the "humming and hawing" doesn't understand it wasn't up to the President to flip a magic switch..there was strong talk behind the scenes but this was the Egyptian People's Time to be Heard.

Wonder if Mubarak and Suleiman saw the writing on the Wall when Pres Obama spoke there in 2009?

[Dagnabit]

(02-11-2011 02:15 PM)sandnsea Wrote:  This was masterful. This is what should have happened in Iraq. Humming and hawing my hind-end. He increased pressure a little at a time, made sure a worse regime wouldn't take over, let it be clear this was coming from the Egyptian people and not US orchestrated, let it come to a full boil the way he always does -- and then stepped in and gave it a final push at the precisely right time.

As is his typical MO. This guy is one smart cookie and seems to have a knack for knowing when its time to step in and make his point.

well said sandnsea

[Hekate]

(02-11-2011 02:15 PM)sandnsea Wrote:  This was masterful. This is what should have happened in Iraq. Humming and hawing my hind-end. He increased pressure a little at a time, made sure a worse regime wouldn't take over, let it be clear this was coming from the Egyptian people and not US orchestrated, let it come to a full boil the way he always does -- and then stepped in and gave it a final push at the precisely right time.

[Hekate]

This assessment is music to my ears.

[Willinois]

"came off the fence?" "dramatic shift?"

They must have been watching some other imaginary Obama that only exists in the minds of pundits who always spin the most cynical interpretation of his words. He has been consistent in his statements and support for democracy while making it clear that the US was not interfering.

Did they not hear what Obama said about Tunisia in the SOTU address? That was the Obama doctrine and Egypt was merely the next example of it being followed. No "dramatic shift" was involved.

[Willinois]

I'll go even further and say that this approach was entirely predictable from Obama. This is the guy who told us he believes in change from the bottom up, not the top down. That's not just a slogan. It's central to the community organizing philosophy of empowering everyone to take action for themselves. What we just saw Obama do with Egypt is a pro-democratic, Saul Alinsky style approach to foreign policy.

[sandnsea]

(02-11-2011 02:42 PM)Willinois Wrote:  I'll go even further and say that this approach was entirely predictable from Obama. This is the guy who told us he believes in change from the bottom up, not the top down. That's not just a slogan. It's central to the community organizing philosophy of empowering everyone to take action for themselves. What we just saw Obama do with Egypt is a pro-democratic, Saul Alinsky style approach to foreign policy.

Damn straight. How can not even The Guardian see this?

[Cha]

(02-11-2011 02:42 PM)Willinois Wrote:  I'll go even further and say that this approach was entirely predictable from Obama. This is the guy who told us he believes in change from the bottom up, not the top down. That's not just a slogan. It's central to the community organizing philosophy of empowering everyone to take action for themselves. What we just saw Obama do with Egypt is a pro-democratic, Saul Alinsky style approach to foreign policy.

Precisely..thank you for that most excellent reminder, Will.

[KonaKane]

I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to finally see a US policy that does not send in the Marines every time a supported tyrant is threatened. If the Obama Doctrine consists of keeping our military mitts off the internal affairs of other nations, and supporting the democratic aspirations of those nations' peoples, then it's a doctrine I can fully and happily support as a welcome change.

[SeattleGirl]

(02-11-2011 04:52 PM)KonaKane Wrote:  I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to finally see a US policy that does not send in the Marines every time a supported tyrant is threatened. If the Obama Doctrine consists of keeping our military mitts off the internal affairs of other nations, and supporting the democratic aspirations of those nations' peoples, then it's a doctrine I can fully and happily support as a welcome change.

Couldn't agree more! This has been an amazing couple of weeks, and the way Obama and Clinton have handled it has been great.

[There Is No Spoon]

What is "humming and hawing" anyway?

It's hemming and hawing damn it.

[Ikonoklast]

Mr. Obama's calm, reasaoned, thoughtful approach to foreign policy challenges is making his detractors on that issue look foolish, on both the right and left.