Failure to Lead

A crisis in leadership in Washington defines this election season.  The last 4 years have seen a complete abandonment of ownership in favor of ‘the other guys caused it’ and ‘we inherited this mess’.  Deflection may serve a purpose through a few news cycles, but when contrasted to the kinds of characteristics Americans want from their next President it’s a losing proposition.  Highlighting this President's poor record in foreign policy reinforces a message of failed leadership, and there are plenty of failures to point out.

• Obama pulled US troops completely out of Iraq leaving behind a deteriorating security situation and a  growing political vacuum the Iranians are happily exploiting.

• This President never made a complete commitment in Afghanistan.  He didn't provide the troop numbers recommended by the military to effectively implement the counter-insurgency strategy that President Obama himself had selected.  He never made the ongoing commitment to maintain domestic political interest or support for the effort either - presumably to ease his way towards an Iraq style exit.

• Syria has shelled and slaughtered its citizens for more than a year, and the US has yet to accomplish much more than delivering verbal warnings and holding press conferences.  Feel the earnestness in these statements from Friday: NY Times Story 

• Iran has moved rapidly towards a nuclear capability while US policy has remained stubbornly focused on engagement.  The declared payoff to this approach was international unity, but this has yet to alter Iranian behavior and has shown signs of completely unraveling.  The Russians have now openly declared their intent to use engagement with Iran to isolate and contain Israel. 

So much for raising international consensus - forged in the bright halls of international institutions - above more direct pursuits of national interest.  This Administration made decision after decision that abdicated US leadership and commitment on critical issues around the globe.  Even in the one example when it asserted itself and assembled a coalition through NATO to oust Gadhafi, it did so under the notion of ‘leading from behind.’  Many administrations have adopted these pithy phrases to tidily sum up new policies without actually committing to anything meaningful, but this non sequitur reaches a new and hopefully absolute low in the practice.

Obviously this election will focus primarily on this Administration’s failed economic policies, but elections have broader themes and narratives that ultimately define the candidates and the outcome.  Making leadership that central theme will underscore this Administration’s failures both at home and around the globe.