One More Sign That President Obama Has Been Successful In Withdrawing The U.S. From The International Stage

NRO

Fred Hiatt, Washington Post: Obama’s Syria achievement

This may be the most surprising of President Obama’s foreign-policy legacies: not just that he presided over a humanitarian and cultural disaster of epochal proportions, but that he soothed the American people into feeling no responsibility for the tragedy.

Starvation in Biafra a generation ago sparked a movement. Synagogues and churches a decade ago mobilized to relieve misery in Darfur. When the Taliban in 2001 destroyed ancient statues of Buddha at Bamiyan, the world was appalled at the lost heritage.

Today the Islamic State is blowing up precious cultural monuments in Palmyra, and half of all Syrians have been displaced — as if, on a proportional basis, 160 million Americans had been made homeless. More than a quarter-million have been killed. Yet the “Save Darfur” signs have not given way to “Save Syria.”

WNU Editor: I was surprised to read this Fred Hiatt commentary .... it is a topic that is being discussed around the world but rarely within the U.S. itself. In the past the U.S. was always engaged in confronting evil/disasters/genocide/catastrophes/wars & conflicts/etc. , to put the spotlight on it, and then to initiate action by itself and/or with its allies regardless of the costs or consequences. Success always brought pride to the American people and a sense of accomplishment .... failure brought reflection and a determination to not fail again. This is a unique mindset .... that is quite frankly absent in much of the world, and if one looks back at history .... almost non-existent. That is why U.S. indifference .... specifically from the White House .... while a humanitarian and cultural disaster of epochal proportions is now occurring in the Middle East .... is both shocking and demoralizing. A few speeches with words of action and a commitment to do something is no longer credible when it comes from President Obama. Among my many friends around the world .... I am probably the only one who still believes that the U.S. should not be discounted .... that they are not (and will not) enter a period of isolation coupled with indifference on what happens "over there". But for the moment ... it appears that this is exactly what is now happening .... and it is happening with the support of the American people.