The Obama Doctrine Clearly Defined

Flopping Aces ^ | 04-28-11 | Wordsmith

[Starman417]

“He doesn’t strategize­. He sermonizes­.”
-Zbigniew Brzezinski, Former National Security Advisor

Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama speaks in Mitchell, South Dakota. Rick Wilking -Reuters

A good read and lengthy piece in the New Yorker called, The Consequentialist.

We now have a concise description of the Obama Doctrine, defined by an unnamed senior official in the president's own administration: "Leading from behind":

That’s not a slogan designed for signs at the 2012 Democratic Convention, but it does accurately describe the balance that Obama now seems to be finding. It’s a different definition of leadership than America is known for, and it comes from two unspoken beliefs: that the relative power of the U.S. is declining, as rivals like China rise, and that the U.S. is reviled in many parts of the world. Pursuing our interests and spreading our ideals thus requires stealth and modesty as well as military strength. “It’s so at odds with the John Wayne expectation for what America is in the world,” the adviser said. “But it’s necessary for shepherding us through this phase.”

Kori Schake:

Ask any young Marine what "leading from behind" means. They probably won't know; they've only ever seen leaders out front, sharing in the greatest risks because that is the responsibility of command. To the extent they will even understand what you're asking, those Marines will probably say that a leader in the back of the formation is a coward, because they are making their Marines take risks the commander will not expose himself to.

Which is pretty close to what President Obama has done in regard to the demands for democracy in the middle east. He allows others to take risks for which he then claims credit

Runner up slogans would be, "Having it both ways", "Straddling the fence", and "Voting present".

Nile Gardiner and Kori Schake write responses to Ryan Lizza's New Yorker article which sums up the origins and shaping of Obama's foreign policy.

He writes:

[BobP]

Now Zer0 has a track record that he must run on and the winning rule in 2012 is:
direct and non-stop political attack on Obama! Cancel 'Amateur Hour' at the
White House!

Obama: Serving time from behind bars

Countdown until Obama leaves Office: 632 days as of April 28, 2011.

[arkady_renko]

“But it’s necessary for shepherding us through this phase.”

The phase the unnamed senior official is referring to is the surrendering of America's greatness. The destruction of the Republic. They see it as inevitable AND desirable. "This phase" - just like a plan that is all laid out; Phase One, Phase Two, Phase Three...

I wonder where along the plan we are?

[Salvey]

the winning rule in 2012 is: direct and non-stop political attack on Obama!

Yes, but I don't see any of the potential GOP candidates taking this approach. Sad.