Obama’s Middle East Delusions

by Victor Davis Hanson

PJ Media

The Premodern Middle East and Postmodern West Don’t Mix, Mr. President

Globalization certainly did not bring the premodern world of the Middle East closer together with the postmodern West — despite Barack Obama’s 2007 narcissistic vows that his own intellect and background could bridge such a gap. Continue reading “Obama’s Middle East Delusions”

The Muddle East

by Victor Davis Hanson

National Review Online

No one has any idea what the Middle East will look like next year, much less in five years — especially the revolutionary players themselves. Continue reading “The Muddle East”

The Obama Foreign Policy

by Victor Davis Hanson

National Review Online

The 2012 election will hinge on the economy, not on US foreign policy, unless there is a major overseas crisis — an Israeli attack on Iran, an Iranian detonation of a nuclear weapon, a Middle East war, a North Korean attack, or something of that sort. Continue reading “The Obama Foreign Policy”

The Scandal of Our Age

by Victor Davis Hanson

PJ Media

Like Nothing Before

In the Watergate scandal, no one died, at least that we know of. Richard Nixon tried systematically to subvert institutions. Yet most of his unconstitutional efforts were domestic in nature — and an adversarial press [1] soon went to war against his abuses and won, as Congress held impeachment hearings. Continue reading “The Scandal of Our Age”

The Potemkin President Disintegrates

by Bruce S. Thornton

FrontPage Magazine

After nearly four years in office, the tinsel and cardboard persona of Barack Obama is starting to fall apart. The political unifier who claimed, “There is not a liberal America and a conservative America — there is the United States of America,” has been exposed as one of the most divisive and partisan presidents of modern times. Continue reading “The Potemkin President Disintegrates”

Obama’s Gay Marriage ‘Evolution’ Deception

by Bruce S. Thornton

FrontPage Magazine

In yet another act of election-year cynicism, Barack Obama has announced, “I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.” This statement follows similar pronouncements by Joe Biden and Education Secretary Arne Duncan. To hear Obama tell it, this change reflects his “evolution” away from his previously stated position, which he made clear in 2008 a few days before the election: “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. Continue reading “Obama’s Gay Marriage ‘Evolution’ Deception”

Obama’s Undiplomacy

by Victor Davis Hanson

National Review Online

Most of the criticism of the Obama administration’s foreign policy concerns the failure of “reset diplomacy,” the inability to deal with Iran or North Korea, or the sense that we are ignoring allies and appeasing enemies. Continue reading “Obama’s Undiplomacy”

Decline or Decadence?

by Victor Davis Hanson

Tribune Media Services

Almost daily we read of America’s “waning power” and “inevitable decline,” as observers argue over the consequences of defense cuts and budget crises. Continue reading “Decline or Decadence?”

When Administrations Implode

by Victor Davis Hanson

Tribune Media Services

Administration meltdowns are hardly novel. In almost every presidency there comes a moment when sheer chaos, whether self-induced or the result of an outside crisis, takes hold. Continue reading “When Administrations Implode”

Campaigning on Grievances

by Victor Davis Hanson

Tribune Media Services

In 2008, a mostly unknown Barack Obama ran for president on an inclusive agenda of “hope and change.” That upbeat message was supposed to translate into millions of green jobs, fiscal sobriety, universal healthcare, a resetting of Bush foreign policy, and racial unity. Continue reading “Campaigning on Grievances”