Obama Foreign Policy--Rational or Dangerous?

A lot has been made of Barack Obama's supposed foreign policy "debacles" recently from the Right. But let's take a rational look at these supposed blunders. I am trying to find the poor judgement, or the true "setbacks" for the United States, and I keep coming back to the fact that our approach to the world has gotten more rational and the logic more sound. Here are my facts to support this conclusion:

1. Obama's speech to European Leaders (aka: The "America is Arrogant" speech)--upon listening to this entire speech the other day, I am confused as to the nature of the uproar in the Main Stream media. The Conservatives have already decided that Obama is a socialist anyway, and their rantings, from Charles Krauthammer's article, to Sean Hannity's grousing, are so myopic, and incomplete, as to render them useless to the debate. For the record, Obama did not call America Arrogant. And he made the point that both America and Europe have taken irrational positions against one another, like fighting children, and it was time to put such differences aside, in the face of a larger world struggle against terrorism and economic meltdown. Heaven forbid we actually try to work with our allies in the spirit of mutual respect. It seemed pretty rational to me, and an important first step towards stronger cooperation.

2. Obama's meeting with Medvedev--ditto to point 1. The Bush/Putin relationship had grown sour, and the Russians have started to revert to old positions of chest thumping. Additionally, their economy is in the tank, there is tremendous unrest there, and this can cause instability in Russian/American relations. This relationship has some ways to go to heal, but Obama's been reaching out, and starting the two nations down this path. Remind me what's wrong with this thinking?

3. Somali Pirate Hostage standoff--Let me get this straight. Obama's position was to order containment of the hostages, and to take them out if there was a clear line of sight, and the hostage appeared in danger. Yup, Newt was right! This clearly makes Obama look weak. Especially since the moves ACTUALLY WORKED, and we got our people home safely, the cargo to port, and killed, or captured the pirates responsible for this hijacking. Obama didn't turn this incident into the next middle east war, and actually raised the debate on the overall piracy issue to one where rational solutions are being debated rather than gunshots being fired. Seems pretty crazy to me.

4. Cuba Embargo Restrictions easing--At this point, 50 years after Castro has come to power, does ANYONE still think that containment and starving the people of this country is going to lead to regime change? Most of the Cubans living in Cuba at this point have never seen any form of government other than Castro. I am NOT suggesting that Castro has been a great leader, or that he should be supported. But allowing Cuban American families to see their loved ones, and (heaven forbid!) give them some money, and a way to communicate together on a regular basis? Dear LORD! What next? Will Castro take this opportunity to take over South America? Certainly at 82 years old, and with a huge free standing army, this is Castro's chance! After all, he pointed missiles at us in 1961! Maybe the Soviet Union can send him some more missiles to shoot at Florida!

It's rational, it's time. Let these people see their loved ones whenever they want to. I also kinda like the idea that Obama lifted the travel and money ban, but not the commerce ban. It's a first step, and now we can see if Castro will return the favor. If he doesn't, we can hold him up for the world to see that he is, as suspected, the real problem in the dealings.

So, after these recent events, I am still struggling to see why we think this new President is so dangerous on Foreign Policy. After all, we could have had John "we are all Georgians now" McCain at the helm, ready to engage in war in the Ukraine, and bombings in Iran. Imagine how he would have handled the Pirate situation.

We shall see whether all of these moves end up being sucker plays, or lead to better world relations. But I am willing to take the risk that doing what is rational and respectful is the best way to lay the groundwork for more decisive action, should it be necessary. It looks like President Obama is willing to take that risk as well.