Crises Cascade and Converge, Testing Obama

The world suddenly teems with crises and many expect the US President Barack Obama to intervene, swiftly ending civil wars and conflict raging in eastern Ukraine, Syria, Israel-Palestine and Afghanistan – as well as poverty that is driving Central American children to the United States. Many in the United States criticize the president’s handling of foreign policy, but likewise embrace the reason he twice won presidential elections - voters oppose sending troops or getting involved in distant conflicts. Opponents and supporters of the president can only offer feeble recommendations of tough talk while providing weapons or some “equipment” to one side or the other. Obama has resisted, pointing out to aides, according to Peter Baker of the New York Times, “Once [weapons] are out of a government’s control… the risk only grows.” For now, suggests Benjamin J. Rhodes, deputy national security adviser to Obama, world powers are not ganging up in alliances and blocs and instead demonstrate self-interest in a few select areas and cooperation in many others. – YaleGlobal