Thursday, July 9, 2009

Krauthammer 7/9/09

The Very Retro Moscow Agreement


My take on Charles Krauthammer's latest. His column was published in the Washington Post.

Summary: Obama signed a treaty this week that appeared to bring back the glory days of the Kissinger years. Sadly, all this accomplished was to make Obama look good. All style, no substance.

Quote:
Poland and the Czech Republic thought they were regaining their independence when they joined NATO under the protection of the United States. They now see that the shield negotiated with us and subsequently ratified by all of NATO is in limbo.

My Views: CK rests his case on the premise that defensive missles are critical. This is dubious. They didn't work very well against Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War. CK vastly over-rates their importance. The real trouble with Obama's diplomacy is that like much else we are seeing, it is reflexive left-wing ideology rather than any thing broadminded or creative. The problem with Russia today is it's agression against it's neighbors (eg. Georgia).





Charles Krauthammer is a more establishment columnist. He came to punditry by way of psychiatry (at Massachusetts General Hospital) via the New Republic Magazine. He appears on TV where you never see his wheelchair. Here's his Wiki bio.

He wrote a book which is pictured at the right. I am drawn by the substance and the thinking than any particular writing flair.

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