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The Unwisdom of Barack Obama
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This WSJ editorial in September 2014 says many of president Obama's statements and decisions on Obama healthcare legislation and implementation, Syria, NSA and privacy, the Middle East, Russia, showed poor judgement. It refers to a piece by Peter Baker in NYT where it is said that Obama mocked how people see him as too professorial, diffident, in a sarcastic statement. The problem says WSJ is that president Obama has poor judgement. Being academically credentialed and quick grasp of subject matter is not the same as having the ability to discern things, instinct and grasp of the essence of the matter. George Bush senior had a long resume and was academically credentialed. By comparison Truman had a short resume and was not academically credentialed or quick with data and analysis. He had something more essential and important- a discerning mind and grasp of the larger picture, as well as listening abilities for exceptional advisors such as General Marshall and Acheson he gathered around him.
A detailed account of the events in September 2013 involving Obama, Kerry, Hagel, White House and Congressional officials as president Obama reversed policy on Syria
09/16/2013
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Inside White House, a Head-Spinning Reversal on Chemical Weapons
Wall Street Journal 09/16/2013
Wall Street Journal 09/16/2013
Saudi Arabia gets forceful on foreign policy - The Washington Post
Washington Post 10/25/2013
Rice Offers a More Modest Strategy for Mideast
New York Times 10/26/2013
Fouad Ajami: When the Obama Magic Died
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2013
‘America Must Always Lead,’ Obama Tells West Point Graduates
New York Times 05/28/2014
How the Obama administration's policies in Syria, Iraq and towards Iran, have increased sectarian and religious conflict, and have pushed back democracy and economic development in the Middle East
06/10/2014
By allowing reckless intervention by Putin's Russia in Syria, and by its policies in the Middle East after the Arab Spring, the Obama administration has starved the hopes of an entire region heavily oriented towards a young demographic for participatory democracy and economic development, leaving it to descend into religious conflict, and then into sectarian conflict.
Grouped Articles
Sunni Militants Drive Iraqi Army Out of Mosul
New York Times 06/10/2014
Mosul Falls to ISIS, Endangering Iraq’s Democracy
New York Times 06/11/2014
U.S. Scrambles to Help Iraq Fight Off Militants as Baghdad Is Threatened
New York Times 06/12/2014
Veterans Watch as Gains Their Friends Died for Are Erased by Insurgents
New York Times 06/13/2014
Obama Finds He Can’t Put Iraq War Behind Him
New York Times 06/13/2014
Iraqi Shiite Cleric Issues Call to Arms
New York Times 06/13/2014
The increase in terrorism risk from the Obama administration's failure to effectively support moderate forces in Syria
07/09/2014
Grouped Articles
Syria Is Breeding Western Terrorists, U.S. Warns
Wall Street Journal 07/09/2014
Leaving U.S. Allies Adrift as Chaos Rises
Wall Street Journal 08/01/2014
New York Times 08/11/2014
How to Save Iraq and Honor American Sacrifice
Wall Street Journal 08/15/2014
Wall Street Journal 09/20/2014
The Too Little, Too Late Presidency
Wall Street Journal 02/18/2015
The Obama administration slow response to the situation in Syria
08/23/2011
Grouped Articles
Israel Says Syria Has Used Chemical Weapons
New York Times 04/23/2013
New York Times 04/22/2013
What if the U.S. doesn’t intervene in Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
Why did Mr. Obama overrule his advisers on Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
New York Times 05/05/2013
Wall Street Journal 08/23/2011
The use of chemical weapons by the Assad government in Syria and the failure of the U.S. Obama administration's response in Syria
08/23/2011
The western world looks on as chemical weapons are used repeatedly by Syria's Assad government, according to some reports. The lack of leadership from the U.S., France, Britain and Germany. The failure of the Russian government under Putin to separate global geopolitics from the aspirations of the people of Syria for freedom and democracy and the use of artillery and bombing of civilian population.
Grouped Articles
Israel Says Syria Has Used Chemical Weapons
New York Times 04/23/2013
New York Times 04/22/2013
Obamaâs Vow on Chemical Weapons Puts Him in Tough Spot
New York Times 05/04/2013
Pentagon Plans for the Worst in Syria
Wall Street Journal 05/07/2013
What if the U.S. doesn’t intervene in Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
Why did Mr. Obama overrule his advisers on Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
An assessment of the Obama adminstration's foreign policy for 2008-2016
11/15/2009
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 06/05/2013
Fouad Ajami: When the Obama Magic Died
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2013
‘America Must Always Lead,’ Obama Tells West Point Graduates
New York Times 05/28/2014
Obama Defends U.S. Policy Based Less on Military Might
Wall Street Journal 05/29/2014
Notable & Quotable: Obama at West Point
Wall Street Journal 05/29/2014
Rebutting Critics, Obama Seeks Higher Bar for Military Action
New York Times 05/28/2014
U.S. president Obama's May 2014 speech at West Point on foreign policy and issues it raises about U.S. choices
05/28/2014
Was the president putting a gloss on foreign policy that has at times appeared to be vacillating and indecisive. Are labels such as isolationism, interventionism, multilateralism, misleading and a play on words for a foreign policy that was shy to face up to issues and threats, and sometimes ignored the best advice within his own party.
Grouped Articles
Obama Defends U.S. Policy Based Less on Military Might
Wall Street Journal 05/29/2014
Notable & Quotable: Obama at West Point
Wall Street Journal 05/29/2014
Rebutting Critics, Obama Seeks Higher Bar for Military Action
New York Times 05/28/2014
President Obama Misses a Chance on Foreign Affairs
New York Times 05/28/2014
U.S. Sway in Asia Is Imperiled as China Challenges Alliances
New York Times 05/30/2014
New York Times 05/31/2014
Polls in 2013 showing high voter disaffection with U.S. Congress, president Obama, and voters looking for alternatives
10/25/2010
A WSJ-NBC poll in Oct. 2013 shows high voter disapproval and negative ratings for the existing polticial leadership in Congress and with the U.S. president. It shows close to 35% of all men voters preferring a alternative candidate. Voters prefer some one who is non-ideological, pragmatic and populist.
Grouped Articles
Radicalized Center Emerging in American Politics
Wall Street Journal 11/12/2013
Robert J. Samuelson - The dysfunction of American politics
Washington Post 10/25/2010
Wall Street Journal 09/20/2014
Populism, Far From Turned Back, May Be Just Getting Started
The New York Times 04/25/2017
Opinion | The Cost of Barack Obama’s Speech
The New York Times 05/01/2017
An assessment of the Obama administration's policies in the Middle East and the India-Pakistan region
01/01/2011
Grouped Articles
âBeyond War,â by David Rohde
New York Times 05/03/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Fouad Ajami: When the Obama Magic Died
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2013
Wall Street Journal 09/20/2014
Voters’ Second Thoughts on Hope and Change
New York Times 11/04/2014
New York Times 02/07/2015
Image building and U.S. president Obama
12/11/2013
Image making presenting a sanitized version of president Obama. The manipulation of media presentation for an image- showing how far things have changed since the days of president Harry Truman in the 1940's with the straight talk and the country touch from Independence, Missouri, replaced by sanitized images.
Grouped Articles
Obamaâs Orwellian Image Control
New York Times 12/11/2013
Wall Street Journal 09/20/2014
L.B.J. and Truman: The Bond That Helped Forge Medicare
New York Times 02/28/2015
Opinion | The Cost of Barack Obama’s Speech
The New York Times 05/01/2017
Obama's governing style in his second term as U.S. president
07/15/2013
Grouped Articles
In Second Term, Obama Is Seen as Using âHidden Handâ Approach
New York Times 07/15/2013
Where the Buck Stops, Some See a Bystander
New York Times 10/29/2013
Obama to Assert Unilateral Agenda
Wall Street Journal 01/27/2014
In State of the Union Address, Obama Vows to Act Alone on the Economy
New York Times 01/28/2014
Hardened, Obama Strikes Tough Tone for Modest Agenda
New York Times 01/28/2014
Wall Street Journal 09/20/2014
The failure to protect the American diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya
08/25/2011
A series of failures and misleading statements by the Obama administration on the burning of the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, by terrorists, and the death of diplomats.
Grouped Articles
Washington Post 05/09/2013
Diplomat Airs Benghazi Attack Details
Wall Street Journal 05/09/2013
Benghazi E-Mails Put White House on the Defensive
New York Times 05/10/2013
New York Times 05/13/2013
What we’ve learned in Libya - The Washington Post
Washington Post 08/25/2011
Wall Street Journal 05/22/2013
The U.S. in world affairs- the lack of a balanced approach from Bush to Obama
01/28/2008
U.S. leadership is needed in different ways, in Europe as it struggles with eurozone debt, in the Middle East and South Asia as it struggles to create opportunities for the fastest growing demographic in Asia, and in the Far East as the aging societies of Japan and China seek to find a way to manage the period following rapid post war growth. In the ultimate irony the U.S. finds itself making itself spending as much time and resources in recent years in a remote central Asian region that has little to do with the rest of the world.
Grouped Articles
âBeyond War,â by David Rohde
New York Times 05/03/2013
Wall Street Journal 06/05/2013
Germans Loved Obama. Now We Donât Trust Him.
New York Times 06/29/2013
As Bush Settles Into Dallas, Golf Tees and Family Time Now Trump Politics
New York Times 11/02/2013
Fouad Ajami: When the Obama Magic Died
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2013
U.S. Beefs Up Military Options for China as Obama Reassures Allies in Asia
Wall Street Journal 04/28/2014
Bill Keller of the NYT's message to U.S. president Obama on Egypt and Syria
05/05/2013
Grouped Articles
New York Times 08/25/2013
U.S. Prepares for Solo Strike On Syria After Britain Balks
Wall Street Journal 08/30/2013
Wall Street Journal 08/29/2013
Wall Street Journal 09/01/2013
GOP Leader Rallies for Obama Plan
Wall Street Journal 09/04/2013
New York Times 09/08/2013
Retired British diplomat Charles Crawford on on how U.S. policy on chemical weapons in Syria of president Obama has failed
09/11/2013
Crawford writes in the British daily, The Telegraph, on Sept. 10, 2013, on how sadly things have gone wrong. He calls it the worst day in western diplomatic history.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 09/11/2013
What Putin Has to Say to Americans About Syria
New York Times 09/11/2013
Elite Syrian Unit Scatters Chemical Arms Stockpile
Wall Street Journal 09/13/2013
Obama Is Lost in the Mideast Bazaar
Wall Street Journal 09/12/2013
Inside White House, a Head-Spinning Reversal on Chemical Weapons
Wall Street Journal 09/16/2013
Wall Street Journal 09/16/2013
The consensus in the Obama administration to support Syria's democracy forces in summer 2011, and the U.S. president's failure to act
08/23/2011
Defense Secretary describes the plans supported by key members of the National Security team to support Syrian democracy forces in the summer of 2011- supported by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Secretary of State Clinton, General Dempsey of the Joint Chiefs, and CIA director Petraeus. The president failed to act because of approaching elections and the general hesitation to act that was displayed since the start of the democracy movement in Tunisia, and then through the movement's spread to Egypt, Libya, followed by Syria. The U.S. failed to grasp an opportunity for the Free World and create goodwill in the Arab world by standing up to its ideals of democracy and freedom.
Grouped Articles
Israel Says Syria Has Used Chemical Weapons
New York Times 04/23/2013
New York Times 04/22/2013
Pentagon Plans for the Worst in Syria
Wall Street Journal 05/07/2013
What if the U.S. doesn’t intervene in Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
Why did Mr. Obama overrule his advisers on Syria? - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/09/2013
New York Times 05/05/2013
The Obama presidency and the earlier decisions for Iraq and Syria as seen in September 2014 and May 2015
09/20/2014
In early 2014 op-ed pages of the NYT and WSJ are used by Hillary Clinton and General Jones, former Secretary of State and former National Security Advisor, calling into question Obama's failure to act decisively in Syria and Iraq. By September 2014 the policy appears to be unraveling. Hardly any reporters or critics mention that all the Syrian democracy forces needed was the "no fly zone" offered to Libya. Timely decisive use of American airpower early in the conflict would have enabled the success of the democracy forces in Syria. General Keene called for this in an op-ed on 5/22/2013 and the WSJ editorial on 8/29/2013 refuted claims that this would cost $1 billion. Actually Gen. Keane stated that all that was necessary was to destroy the 50 runways and the air defense system of the Assad regime, which the U.S. had capabilities for even with the Russian support to Assad. It also would have met the early misguided efforts of the Putin government to exert influence in regions against the will of the people in the name of Russian nationalism, which extended following Syria to Eastern Europe. It would have kept U.S. ground forces out and gradually stabilized the region with democratic governments in Syria and Libya- with U.S. economic support and guidance during a transition period. Truman was coming out of the Second World War when he faced and responded to the efforts to extend communist regimes in Greece and southern Europe within a few years of the global conflict. Truman and General Marshall accomplished in Europe what Obama failed to do in North Africa when a challenge as well as an opportunity presented itself. Truman also listened to exceptional leaders in his circle of advisors. The U.S. has strategic interests in the Middle East and concern for the welfare of the region and its people. This was neglected in preference for involvement in Afghanistan, where involvement is only for the purpose of keeping a failing state from becoming a haven for terrorism. A permanent settlement between India and Pakistan c
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 09/20/2014
New York Times 02/07/2015
U.S. to Give Some Syria Rebels Ability to Call Airstrikes
Wall Street Journal 02/18/2015
The Too Little, Too Late Presidency
Wall Street Journal 02/18/2015
Gen. Martin Dempsey Leaves a Legacy of Caution
Wall Street Journal 05/06/2015
First Batch of Hillary Clinton Emails Captures Concerns Over Libya
New York Times 05/21/2015
The WSJ on the faltering and indecision of the Obama administration's position on Syria
06/14/2013
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 06/14/2013
Heavy Pressure Led to Decision by Obama on Syrian Arms
New York Times 06/14/2013
Wall Street Journal 09/01/2013
GOP Leader Rallies for Obama Plan
Wall Street Journal 09/04/2013
9 questions about Syria you were too embarrassed to ask | WorldViews
Washington Post 09/07/2013
New York Times 09/08/2013
The Obama administration's decision to end the bulk collection of phone data program of the National Security Agency (NSA)
03/24/2014
After public opinion comes out strongly against the bulk collection of phone data, President Obama makes the decision in March 2014 to end the NSA's bulk collection of phone data program. Issues relate to privacy, citizen's rights and violation of the U.S. constitution.
Grouped Articles
Obama to Call for End to N.S.A.’s Bulk Data Collection
New York Times 03/24/2014
Consensus Nears to Overhaul NSA Phone Surveillance
Wall Street Journal 03/26/2014
Wall Street Journal 09/20/2014
Why the N.S.A. Isn’t Howling Over Restrictions
New York Times 05/01/2015
NSA Phone Program Is Illegal, Appeals Court Rules
Wall Street Journal 05/07/2015
Key Parts of Patriot Act Expire Temporarily as Senate Moves Toward Limits on Spying
New York Times 05/31/2015
The Obama U.S. health care law, the Affordable Care Act of 2012, and public support- 2012-2017
03/23/2012
An average of major public opinion polls compiled by Real Clear Politics website shows 50.5% of Americans opposed the U.S. health care law in March 2012. By 2017 with high premiums and high deductibles the Obama Affordable Care Act was not seen by middle class as the solution to healthcare needs, though it helped the uninsured and the poor with subsidies. The Republican plan of Speaker Ryan and the House was seen as not sensitive to the needs of low income older Americans even as it sought to bring down premiums. As one middle class American, Mr. Riffle, in a 2017 survey by the Washington Post put it- the problem was the high cost of medical care in the U.S. and pricing of healthcare, until members of Congress used the plans on the insurance exchanges not much would happen to benefit most people.
Grouped Articles
Chief Justice John Roberts’s health-care ruling gets plenty of second-guessing - The Washington Post
Washington Post 06/30/2012
A Federal Budget Crisis Months in the Planning
New York Times 10/05/2013
In Rural Iowa, Spending, Not the Shutdown, Raises Worry
New York Times 10/04/2013
Tension and Flaws Before Health Website Crash
New York Times 11/22/2013
Uninsured Skeptical of Health Care Law in Poll
New York Times 12/18/2013
Wall Street Journal 09/20/2014
Polls showing approval ratings for the U.S. Congress and the U.S. President- 2013
08/11/2010
A July 2013 WSJ/NBC poll shows a 83% disapproval rating for the U.S. Congress and more people saying Republicans put partisan interests above the national interest. President Obama's approval rating dropped to 45%.
Grouped Articles
Approval of Obama, Congress Falls in New Poll
Wall Street Journal 07/24/2013
Radicalized Center Emerging in American Politics
Wall Street Journal 11/12/2013
Wall Street Journal 08/11/2010
Robert J. Samuelson - The dysfunction of American politics
Washington Post 10/25/2010
Wall Street Journal 09/20/2014
An exceptional and detailed look at President Obama and his first term in office.
01/28/2008
A long informal interview with Obama by Peter Baker of the New York Times, in October 2010. Baker covers all aspects of President Obama's first term in office, and compares Obama's situation with that of his predecessors, Reagan, Clinton and Bush. He uses his personal knowledge of other Presidents to throw more light on the Obama Presidency.
Grouped Articles
Germans Loved Obama. Now We Donât Trust Him.
New York Times 06/29/2013
Where the Buck Stops, Some See a Bystander
New York Times 10/29/2013
As Bush Settles Into Dallas, Golf Tees and Family Time Now Trump Politics
New York Times 11/02/2013
Fouad Ajami: When the Obama Magic Died
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2013
BusinessWeek 04/06/2009
Geithner Book Reveals Consensus, Not VIsion, During Financial Crisis
New York Times 05/21/2014
Malte Spitz on Germany's view of U.S. president Obama in 2013
04/05/2009
Only a few thousand people turned up in 2013 for Obama at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on June 19, 2013, says Greens Party leader Spitz, compared to the 200,000 who turned up for candidate Obama in July 2008, showing how much has changed in less than 5 years.
Grouped Articles
Germans Loved Obama. Now We Donât Trust Him.
New York Times 06/29/2013
Spy Claims Send Chill Ahead of Trade Talks
Wall Street Journal 07/02/2013
Outrage in Europe Grows Over Spying Disclosures
New York Times 07/01/2013
New York Times 11/01/2013
One Casualty of Eavesdropping on Merkel: A Warm Rapport
New York Times 11/01/2013
The Lines a German Won’t Cross
New York Times 04/05/2009
Obama's loss of narrative or lack of vision in 2011
01/18/2009
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 09/20/2014
Storytelling Your Way to a Better Job or a Stronger Start-Up
New York Times 12/12/2014
President Obama, Searching for Vision
New York Times 04/09/2011
New York Times 04/10/2011
Obama loses bin Laden bounce; Romney on the move among GOP contenders - The Washington Post
Washington Post 06/07/2011
Squawk treatment: Progressives voice their anger at Obama - The Washington Post
Washington Post 06/24/2011
U.S. president Obama's legacy and the NSA phone record data collection program
12/19/2013
Grouped Articles
A Legacy in the Balance on Surveillance Policies
New York Times 12/19/2013
Mr. Obamaâs Disappointing Response
New York Times 12/20/2013
Edward Snowden, Whistle-Blower
New York Times 01/01/2014
Obama to Place Some Restraints on Surveillance
New York Times 01/14/2014
Obama’s Path From Critic to Overseer of Spying
New York Times 01/15/2014
Obama Wrestles With Final Details of Overhaul Plan for NSA
Wall Street Journal 01/17/2014
U.S. president Obama's managing of foreign affairs 2008-2016- missed opportunities and failure to act
05/28/2014
Linked Articles
President Obama Misses a Chance on Foreign Affairs
New York Times 05/28/2014
Wall Street Journal 09/20/2014
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