Is Obama's Policy of Weakness Intentional?

Face it.  President Obama’s plainly stated view is that the United States is not exceptional, is just another nation among many, has no special role in the world, has no moral authority to use force beyond its borders.  He feels that a uni-polar world is one threatened by the sole superpower, not the rogue states and stateless actors which now abound.   It is not unreasonable to think that his policy decisions would conform to this view, and in fact, be designed to hobble exceptionalist policy now and down the road.

America is presented with multiple crises where desperate people cry for liberation from oppression.  Our involvement would not only help those people, but would help repair our reputation as straight shooters with a plainly stated goal of freedom for all.  If America takes action to help Muslims throw off oppressive regimes, it would make America’s pro-democracy, anti-Sharia, and by the way, pro-Israel arguments much tougher to refute.  It would help marginalize malignant elements within Muslim societies which we publicly insist are either marginal or benign.  It would echo, however slightly, of our regime change in Iraq and the ongoing battle in Afghanistan, the horn of Africa, and myriad other locations, and counteract some of the awesome damage done by incidents such as the Abu Ghraib abuses.

Regardless of the utility, moderation, or pro-US stance of some of these aging dictators, we harm ourselves and prop up the extremists within Muslim societies through our inaction.  But I find it hard to believe that this lack of activity is accidental, or the result of some inability to perceive the problem, or to plan or execute some sort of response.  Interests other than those traditionally identified as American may have priority.

Is this whyPresident Obama will not take action?  It is increasingly improbable that the administration is still hamstrung in indecision. Typically, the truck puts an end to the deer-in-the-headlights look in short order.  It may well be that instead, the administration has already worked out its position on using force or even diplomacy backed by force to help put out some of the fires around us.   To do so would legitimize the use of American power, and this is anathema to the administration.

This is an amazingly callous and calculating point of view which sacrifices a chance now for freedom for some in order to gain progress toward some impossible utopia in the distant future.  Progressives know that if America is seen as a champion of liberty for all the world’s downtrodden, then their radical changes will not come to pass. Libyans, Egyptians, Bahrainis, Iranians, and more are seen as a means, not an end; as political objects, not human beings with rights and dreams.   These are the eggs which will have to be broken to make Mr. Obama’s omelet.  Discrediting the American use of force is paramount, and justified because of the new age a zero-polar world will supposedly allow.

It is time to consider whether the supposed confusion and indecision at the White House actually stem from a quiet dedication to do the absolute minimum, lest our actions reflect credit upon our nature.  We must confront the unsettling possibility that this White House is not, after all, incompetent.