Obama dismisses Russia as ‘regional power’ acting out of weakness

The Washington Post ^ | 25 Mar 2014 | Scott Wilson

[mandaladon]

THE HAGUE — President Obama acknowledged Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Crimea would be difficult to reverse, but he dismissed Russia as a “regional power” that did not pose a leading security threat to the United States.

Concluding a summit here on nuclear security, Obama also warned that broader Russian military intervention in neighboring countries would trigger further economic sanctions that would disrupt the global economy but hit Russia the hardest.

“Russia is a regional power that is threatening some of its immediate neighbors — not out of strength but out of weakness,” Obama said in response to a reporter’s question about whether his 2012 election opponent, Mitt Romney, was right to characterize Russia as America’s biggest geopolitical foe.

“They don’t pose the number one national security threat to the United States,” Obama said in a news conference. “I continue to be much more concerned when it comes to our security with the prospect of a nuclear weapon going off in Manhattan.”

Defending his response to the Ukraine crisis, Obama dismissed criticism that a perception of weakness abroad had prompted Putin to seize Ukraine’s autonomous Crimea region this month, an act the United States and Europe have called a violation of both Ukrainian and international law. But Obama made clear that no military response is being contemplated, unless Putin pushes into NATO member nations on Russia’s western border.

[rbmillerjr]

“They can certainly influence global affairs.”

So can North Korea, I believe that is a fairly low standard. Building alliances with other pariah states illustrates the level they are operating on.

“They are a permanent member of the security counsel?

And their role their is again, usually supporting other rogue nations in actions that usually have little to no support on the SC. The most influence they have is usually their veto of reasonable actions taken by the SC. Again, a fairly low standard, though technically you are correct.

“They are starting to play nice with Syria, ,Iran...”

Starting to play nice? They are a key ally of these rogue nations and have long time relationships with them.

Selling ballistic missiles, nuclear technology, chemical weapons to nations in the Mideast who garner no respect from anybody isn’t a game changer. They’ve been doing this for decades.

Frankly, after the fall of the Soviet Union, it makes them look small, stooping to these unacceptable behaviors. And now with the annexation of parts of Ukraine, it makes them look like Iran, Syria etc., loosing influence, credibility and respect except with other rogue nations.

At least China, is attempting to play both side of the coin, participation with the rogues, but also wielding more real influence with its growing economic power. Russia meanders along with its paltry 2 Trillion economy, which shows only consistent growth in oil and the arms trade.

These actions show a growing weakness in influence and a certain desperation and frustration by Putin and Russia. The clamoring applause and opinion in the Russian population I liken to a basketball team that is down30 points and hits a half court shot at the half time buzzer. The roar is more desperation from the fans of Putin.

[lgjhn23]

“...What a statesman we have as President....”
The sooner we divest ourselves of this stupid ass-hat, the safer we will all be. He’s gonna get us nuked with all his narcissistic rhetoric, insulting BS.

[Candor7]

Obama is a community organizer. Military strategy is hardly his strength. He went to Saul Alinsky School, not West Point. Go easy on Obama/s

Obama’s war is waged everyday in the unceasing Obama Campaign, and Vlad the SHirtless has initiated his campaign, the differeuce is that Obama seeks re-election continuously , while Vlad stoops to conquer in the old way, while pulling every leftist community organizer string that weak Obama has.

Winner: Vlad the Shirtless