Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Russia Schools Obama on Diplomacy

But, but, but… Obama sent a letter?!?!  Why are those Russians being so mean to him?

Russia would be willing to discuss a new missile defence structure with the United States but sees Iran’s nuclear programme as a separate issue, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday.

Asked about a report in the New York Times that U.S. President Barack Obama had written to him offering to back off deploying a new missile system in Eastern Europe in return for help with the Iranians, Medvedev said signals from Washington were positive but the two issues were separate.

“If we are talking about any “swaps” (Iran for missile defence), this is not how the question is being put. This would not be productive,” Medvedev told a news conference in Madrid, where he was on a state visit.

Russia knows that Obama is likely to abandon our missile defense anyway.  Why would they make a deal on it?  Obama was engaging in diplomacy from a position of weakness and the result was predictable.

(12) Comments
Posted by Owen at 0721 hrs
Foreign Affairs + Military + Politics + Politics - General

  1. I would expect little deal making for the next several years.  Why deal when you know financial realities will force your opponent to concede?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 03, 2009 at 1034 hrs


  2. Why do you hate America?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 03, 2009 at 1042 hrs


  3. Inexperienced US President met Prime Minister of Russia.

    Yeah - he’s going to be Putin’s butt boy. He should have sent Billary.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 03, 2009 at 1158 hrs


  4. I thought his judgement was more important than his experience?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 03, 2009 at 1203 hrs


  5. Actually, the Russian response shows the Russians did not expect it and are not sure how to respond.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 03, 2009 at 1323 hrs


  6. I wish you were right, John, but that is a very naïve explanation.  It is not like they were caught off guard in a phone conversation.  This was a letter.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 03, 2009 at 1340 hrs


  7. Amateur hour continues ...

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 03, 2009 at 1352 hrs


  8. What?!? No one to stare into Putin’s soul? Or does it take a crime boss to know one?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 03, 2009 at 1823 hrs


  9. Keith, why do YOU hate America?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 04, 2009 at 0207 hrs


  10. I guess I’m still trying to figure out how Russia actually “schooled” President Obama.  Obama’s letter was “in response” to a letter first sent by Medvedev, right?  Medvedev goes on to say “I count on positive signals we are now receiving from Washington translating into agreements”.  What is the so called lesson here? 

    To me, this is the beginning of a dialouge at this point and nothing more.  Let’s avoid categorizing it as something more than it really is.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 04, 2009 at 0749 hrs


  11. However they take it the point is still being made that we need their help to stop Iran from gaining nuclear weapons. It is in the interest of the world so the Russians have a chance to be the good guys too.

    You need to stop wishing he will fail at everything because if he fails, we fail.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2009 at 0935 hrs


  12. That depends how you define success and failure, moveforward.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2009 at 1148 hrs


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