10:43AM
WPR's The New Rules: Leadership Fatigue Puts U.S., and Globalization, at Crossroads
Monday, March 7, 2011 at 10:43AM
Events in Libya are a further reminder for Americans that we stand at a crossroads in our continuing evolution as the world's sole full-service superpower. Unfortunately, we are increasingly seeking change without cost, and shirking from risk because we are tired of the responsibility. We don't know who we are anymore, and our president is a big part of that problem. Instead of leading us, he explains to us. Barack Obama would have us believe that he is practicing strategic patience. But many experts and ordinary citizens alike have concluded that he is actually beset by strategic incoherence -- in effect, a man overmatched by the job.
Read the entire column at World Politics Review.
Reader Comments (2)
I agree with the sentiments of your article. However, I do ask you to consider that the Libyan rebels do not want us there. I reference the expulsion of British troops and the British diplomats by the rebels as an example. Why would we go in just to be shot at by both sides?
The president is pro-free trade, hence pro-globalization. He is not against using security forces, as indicated by his escalation of use of force in Afghanistan. Might you consider that he is on your side, but not to the scale and degree you advocate? I believe the president sacrifices advocacy of more widespread change at this time to maintain pressure on Al Qaeda.
If you think we have "leadership fatigue" now, think how much more tired we would have been by now under the alternative: President McCain. Because I think it's a fairly solid bet Mr. McCain would have been far more whack-a-mole, and gotten us in to far more messes by now.