February 28, 2010

Smart Foreign Policy (tm) in action: Obama refuses to endorse British sovereignity over Falkland Islands

The lyrics of Stephen Sondheim’s Send in the Clowns captures the comedy of errors which the British establishment now finds itself in with regard to the Falklands. How could they have guessed that the man they had been waiting for, the person who they assumed would be so implicitly like them — their soulmate — would turn to be so different from what they imagined? UK pundits are still shock over the administration’s announcement that it will remain neutral in any dispute between Argentina and Britain over the Falklands. The London Times summarizes things succinctly:

Washington refused to endorse British claims to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands yesterday as the diplomatic row over oil drilling in the South Atlantic intensified in London, Buenos Aires and at the UN.

Despite Britain’s close alliance with the US, the Obama Administration is determined not to be drawn into the issue. It has also declined to back Britain’s claim that oil exploration near the islands is sanctioned by international law, saying that the dispute is strictly a bilateral issue.

As usual, the administration’s given reason for its actions is that “Bush did it”, only in this case it is “Ronald Reagan did it”, even though he didn’t. The Times continues:

Senior US officials insisted that Washington’s position on the Falklands was one of longstanding neutrality. This is in stark contrast to the public backing and vital intelligence offered by President Reagan to Margaret Thatcher once she had made the decision to recover the islands by force in 1982.

source

He really does have it in for the British doesn't he? Way to maintain relations with our closest ally there Mr. President. Can't wait until the next time we need British support on something.

I really messed this up the first go around - I didn't properly attribute. Fixed it now. Sorry for implying I wrote the quoted portion.

Posted by: chad98036 at 01:59 PM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
Post contains 329 words, total size 2 kb.

1 This is the one instance where I attribute Obama's actions to malice rather than incompetence.  There's no other explanation.

Posted by: alexthechick at February 28, 2010 03:01 PM (aSDGn)

2 Sorry for implying I wrote the quoted portion

That's alright, I'm led to understand that nobody reads the blog anyway.  Except me

Posted by: Elliott at February 28, 2010 03:03 PM (bYTjt)

3

as the only other person who reads this blog, Elliot, I take umbrage. not.

Despite his physical height, Pecedent Iwon seems to be a very bitter mean little man, imho.

Posted by: mrfixit at February 28, 2010 03:09 PM (Bsm1s)

4 I used my 100% accurate Obama predictive formula:

If an action will foster freedom, liberty, or help an ally, Obma will decline.

If an action will suppress freedom, liberty, or assist an enemy, Obama will proceed.


Posted by: jukin at February 28, 2010 04:58 PM (vkkNZ)

5 as a commenter noted at CDR Salamander's, the official US position hasn't changed. But that doesn't mean we can't pick sides. My take:

Fair enough. But that doesn't let Obama off the hook. There's any number of ways Obama could have condemned Argentina's actions, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind which side we stand on, while not at all addressing the issue of sovreignity. 
 
Simply stating that Argentina's actions are "troubling" while not criticizing Britain would send a clear message to any tea-leaf readers.

Posted by: XBradTC at February 28, 2010 05:54 PM (cB95w)

6 You don't get it, Argentina could drive right up here and kick our asses.  So of course we have to mollify them.

Posted by: Alice H at February 28, 2010 08:57 PM (qJHYy)

7 What I don't get is where all his hostility towards Britain is coming from.  WHY is he trying so hard to antagonize them?

Posted by: MikeD at March 01, 2010 11:27 AM (FkL60)

8

The funniest part his actions make a war more likely.

After all, they might think they can do better against Britain this time around, especially if the US isn't helping them at all.

Posted by: Veeshir at March 01, 2010 12:16 PM (aFnZ8)

Posted by: gga at November 18, 2010 02:14 AM (FR/42)

10 Hep kagıtlardan bakarak porno gel bak
kanlı canlı bir platform porno izle keyfine bak
çatlak mozaik sikisin ismi sikiş en güzel
diyorum bir bakınz sikiş izle kaliteli

Posted by: deliduygular at December 22, 2010 08:05 AM (4sy2P)

11 Established in 1981, famous women’s designer clothing brand Karen Millen specializing in tailoring, coats and eveningwear. Brand Karen Millen Dress has been one of the most successful women brand and favoured by women worldwide. Perfectly show female body shapes with luxurious fabrics, Karen Millen Dresses are most internationally well known celebrities’ favorite, they wear Karen Millen Dresses to attend some important public occasions. Karen Millen UK online shop supply full collection of latest Karen Millen dresses, various kinds of Karen Millen Sale with high quality and best price, Karen Millen Shoulders Dresses, Karen Millen One Shoulder, Karen Millen Dresses 2011 Newest, Karen Millen 2011 SEP Style,etc. From our Karen Millen Dresses UK store, you will find fashion design Karen Millen discount offer to you, elegant and luxury Karen Millen Dresses are your perfect choice for work, wedding, party and evening wear.
Inexpensive Formal Karen Millen Dresses by Sally Fashions - In Karen Millen UK if you are looking for cheap Karen Millen dress for homecoming or prom, with Karen Millen Sale you're in the right Karen millen outlet! Cheap formal Karen millen 2011 dresses are hard to find Karen Millen, if you want quality and style Karen Millen Shoulders Dress, but the girl on Karen Millen One Shoulder dresses, we offer the highest quality Karen Millen Solid Colour at the best prices. Browse our Karen Millen Multicolour Dresses Fashion dress, cocktail dresses, Karen Millen Skirts available in 2011! The common Karen Millen Trench Coat that women love to shop Karen Millen Coats. Often they are required to key Karen Millen Shoulders Dress Mix Black Yellow Red in department stores, Karen Millen Leopard Print Trench Coat grocery stores and hundreds of Karen Millen Feminine Texture Tailoring Skirt Grey and Black boutiques that permeate the city average. However, some women prefer to buy White Karen Millen Broderie Dress only seasonal, reduce unnecessary purchases Karen Millen Tube Dress White-Black-Grey for special occasions.

Posted by: Karen Millen Dresses at November 01, 2011 01:21 AM (RaaPw)

12 New NFL Jerseys, Have aNFL Kid Jerseysis the perfect way to support your favorite players! Buy aNFL Kid Jerseysto cheering for them, After all of the jersey is the manager carefully checked to ensure customer satisfaction. Online shopping is convenience and fast, it is best way for people who like watching the games but have no time go shopping buy goods which there want . Don't hesitate, if you like the goods in our website:http://www.cheapjerseyclub.com/,we are thebest buy cheap jerseys, contact us, there can saving your time e-commerce, as long as you leave order, we will do the best service for you.

Posted by: wholesale nba jordan jerseys at November 24, 2011 12:47 AM (2+kNE)

13 Appreciate your insights here, keep up the great work.  Dijeta    l   mrsavljenje  ///// kako smrsati brzo..... izreke

Posted by: tetovaze at December 24, 2011 06:18 AM (AMC8G)

14 Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back someday. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great writing, have a nice evening! we've got many new users here who recently got an Apple iPod touch or an www.apple.com/ipod/start. To use it you must first download and www.ipod.com. The instructions to download it and install it are below. ipod.com is needed in order to sync your device, and also to download or sync applications or music from the App Store.

Posted by: linda_wu at January 07, 2012 09:56 PM (0BJ/l)

Hide Comments | Add Comment






29kb generated in 0.0451 seconds; 68 queries returned 173 records.
Powered by Minx 1.1.4-pink.