Is this "Be Rude to U.S. Diplomats Month?" First, the Netanyahu government
embarrasses Joe Biden during his visit to Israel by announcing it will build
1600 new homes in disputed East Jerusalem. Next, the Russian government welcomes Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton to Moscow with the announcement
that it intends to complete the long-delayed Bushehr power reactor in
Iran this summer. Clinton
told a joint press conference
with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov it "would be premature to
go forward with any project at this time, because we want to send an
unequivocal message to the Iranians," but Lavrov confirmed that Russia
was going
ahead anyway.
The Bushehr reactor has been a thorny issue between the United States
and Russia since the 1990s, although it actually has little to do with Iran's nuclear
enrichment program and has always been something of a red herring. But it was hardly a friendly gesture
for Moscow to make this announcement during her visit, unless they were trying
to score some cheap bargaining points.
And it made me wonder: where are
everyone's manners? Diplomacy
doesn't always have to be, well-diplomatic -- but
this sort of gratuitous slap is both petty and counter-productive.
The two situations aren't identical, of course, given that
Israel is a close ally and the recipient of billions of dollars of U.S. aid,
and Russia is a country with whom U.S. relations are more competitive. One would therefore expect this sort of
thing from Moscow but not from Jerusalem. In both cases, however, the United States should make it clear that it doesn't appreciate being dissed in this fashion.
To its credit, the Obama administration has shown what Woodrow
Wilson called "the self-restraint of a truly great nation, which knows its own
power and scorns to misuse it." They haven't over-reacted to every perceived slight, and press
conferences with foreign representatives don't have to be a complete
love-fest. But every now and
then, the United States has to demonstrate that this sort of thing has a price
tag: the more that other states want from us, the more respect they
ought to show. It's about that
simple.
The two situations aren't identical, of course, given that Israel is a close ally and the recipient of billions of dollars of U.S. aid, and Russia is a country with whom U.S. relations are more competitive. One would therefore expect this sort of thing from Moscow but not from Jerusalem.
Aren't identical.
One came from the Foreign Minister with our Secretary of State at the podium next to him.
The other came from a local planning board.
Of course.
Obviously you rushed this piece out and missed that small detail, so I figured I'd give you an assist, Steve. ;-)
I understand there are those who believe that Netanyahu did this on purpose to lay down the gauntlet and show the US who is boss. For all I know, maybe he is that stupid, but I don't believe it. Especially given that this announcement was one step in a process consisting of many, about building that is years away. In other words, not something he would normally be aware of, but rather would have had to specifically go looking for in order to have something with which to embarass Biden.
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. The Israeli PM thought he could use this little stunt to shore up his support from right-wing settlers, but Obama has demonstrated he will not ignore acts that undermine the prospects for peace.
ABV, this is one of those situations where it would have been better to remain silent and have people think you a fool rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Name-calling is never a substitute for reason and logic.
I simply mean to point out that your arguments are generally spurious or paper thin, and reflexive, and that you routinely name call, insult, and smear both Walt and the other people who respond here when all else fails you (as it often does).
This is more of the same. If you want to show someone's arguments are "generally spurious or paper thin" then you should show that. As it is, you just say it is with no evidence.
And the fact is that I rarely, if ever, stoop to name-calling. Truth be told, not many people here do to the extent you do. Most understand that their positions are made weaker, not stronger, when they do.
Fanboy - Pronunciation: \?fan-?bo?i\
Function: noun
Date: 1919
: a boy who is an enthusiastic devotee (as of comics or movies)
I offer this thread as an example. I commented on Walt's post. It doesn't even take away from what he wrote, but it is a germane point. One person answered and addressed the facts of the argument, I replied. Basically we each have our own opinions and remained civil about it.
Skip to you - even over so minor a point I made, you jump in with a shrill defense of Walt devoid of content, without even addressing what I wrote. When I pointed that out, you came back with even more spittle flying, once again devoid of content.
I stand by my usage, though I would say overenthusiastic devotee.
Either the Israelis can say "AHA! See!? There are real enemies out there who deliberately try to one-up and embarass the United States by announcing joint ventures with the US's committed enemies."
-OR-
The Administration could see this just simply as another confirmation, after already scarred relationships with Turkey, and Brazil, to say nothing of the Arab World; as well as testimonies for the first time from senior Military Commanders, that all point to one fact: Our status quo relationship with Israel is not only bleeding our treasury and risking the lives of our people, but it's getting us treated like bee-otches, all for no real thanks in return.
Can you blame the snubs? Honestly, really, truly? We got lots of guns, borrow cash at a reckless rate and are willing to sell our grand-kids in order to show everyone that we are top dog. This fiasco will continue until the dollar is dropped as the world reserve currency.
How very true. I think the O administration are natural strategic thinkers and will bide their time. The Bibi miss-step is a case in point and I think the Russians will regret this.
I think the US, in both experiences with Israel and Russia, has actually faced the Manichean world view in terms Israel's and Russia's politics. Israel wants peace and taking steps which actually intend to blow the whole peace process apart, and Russia wants to pressurise Iran through sanctions, and doing actually what what makes; those sanctions redundant even before they start. The difference between Russia's attitude and Israels's, is like comparing apples and pears. God knows I have no reason to defend Mr. Netanyahu, but I am positive that; though he agrees with policy of buildings in Jerusalem, he did not know during Mr. Biden's visit that there will be a declaration to that effect. In Israel there are often leaks and contradictions due to the nature of the Israeli coalition governments. But in Moscow, it really came from the horses mouth. As for the US, well for the time being until proven otherwise, it has become a giant with feet of clay. Ideal opportunity to take pot shots at it.
khairi janbek.paris/france
My belief is the current view of the US is that they will "blink". Does anyone really thing the US will stop trading with countries who trade with Iran? No.
Will the US embargo Venezuela? Again, No.
Israel is increasing their arms from China and will sooner than later tell the US to take their arms elsewhere. Madame Secretary Clinton is considered too pro-Palestinian and President Obama certainly hasn't improved US/Israel relations.
Truly, he has not improved US relations with any other state, except on the basis that he isn't former President Bush.
The world mocks the only "super-power" because it can do so with impunity.
Bring all of our soldiers home. Let Europe, Russia, and China handle the other side of the planet. Build sugar ethanol plants in Haiti. Crush the drug lords in Mexico. Watch the pinapple face in Venezuela. If Isreal goes kaput, let all the Jews come here.
The end result: a more secure US and prosperous Western Hemisphere, free of external problems. The rest of the planet can rot.
I think these kind of situation always create problems. It seems that both countries, Israel and Russia not interested in issues specially related to them. Then why US is getting worried about them?? Birthday SMS Thanks
No, it's four years of a US with no teeth and no balls. Our administration is too busy pandering and trying to win brownie points from most of the world and they don't even realize that the respect we once had is dropping fast. Nobody is worried about us or what we'll do because they know we're not going to to anything so while we're wrapped up in the bondage of a weak administration the rest of the world are going to do whatever they want.
Paying no respect to Secretory of US is very sad but both countries have different situations. If we talk about Israel, its totally dependent on US for its survival and every time US interfere to protect Israel near to war. But I don't know why Israeli govt. is behaving like this, this shows how much they are serious in solving the matters. As a Tulsa Attorney, I think Palestine issue can be solved if Israel and Palestine both become serious in solving this issue. Russia is basically US competitor so you can expect these kind of steps from Russia. Thanks
Its surprising for me that countries are not playing their role in World affairs. Israel's reputation is negative on issue of Palestine and US is trying hard for peace in the area but current statement by Israel is completely against the efforts of US for peace. Russia is not friend of US and these kind of statements can given by their authorities. Auto Glass Austin
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Stephen M. Walt is the Robert and Renée Belfer professor of international relations at Harvard University.
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