How the Russians view Obama & the U.S.A.

[AztecWilliam]

Intriguing observations on U.S./Russian relations from the perspective of an Eastern European observer.

What is really interesting is this writer's opinion of how the Russians see us.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/30/AR2009113003156.html

AzWm

[aztecwin]

If what was expressed was in fact how Russia views the US through the Obama prism, they are dead wrong. We have never had a more shallow administration in my adult lifetime. If they are putting many eggs in the "Obama will succeed basket" they are in trouble in my opinion.

[AztecWilliam]

Here is the most important part. . .

What does all this mean for the "reset" policy? First, it means that Russians will not be in a hurry to respond to the positive signals coming from Washington, and any perception of Washington weakness will diminish Moscow's willingness to cooperate even in areas of common interest and common concern. It is not Obama's deference but his strength that can persuade the Kremlin to cooperate with Washington. Simply put, to persuade Russians to join him, Obama must first demonstrate that he does not need them.

Obama's desire to "reset" U.S./Russian relations stems from the belief that G.W. Bush completely bungled that aspect of American foreign policy. That being the case, thinks The One, surely a flash of those pearly whites and a few minutes of his (vastly overrated) speechifying and the whole thing will be cleared up. Not!

Simply put, Obama is horribly naive and poorly prepared to deal with serious foreign questions. He seems to think that bowing down, both literally and figuratively, will make everybody in the world forgive us our sins and suddenly become friends. What nonsense!

At this moment in time the U.S. needs another Richard Nixon, but one with a better personality. (Say what you will about Nixon, the man was a heavy weight in the area of global issues. Obama doesn't even rise to rookie league status by comparison.)

AzWm

[aztecwin]

I think there are more points that could be debated or to be amplified in this piece that are dead wrong, but the bottom line is that Obama is proving once again that he is not ready for prime time and it is taking some folks longer than others to see that simple point.