Obama and Crimea | is the leader of the West a pushover?

In moments of high tension when facing a conflict, the philosophy of the U.S. President has been consistent and has been characterized by caution and seek consensus of all parties involved. Cases like Syria have shown how the war option has always been the last resort for Barack Obama, which has always aroused criticism of his management. What happened in Crimea has risen voices in the past called for "more firm answers" in previous international crises. Obama's detractors believe reading is clear: the loss of leadership of a country used to hold the reins. "Obama is creating a climate of permissiveness that encourages" putines "the world to challenge U.S. and West, "" Obama has made ​​America look weak "or "The price of failed leadership" are some of the most critical headlines that have circulated in Washington before and after Russian President Vladimir Putin to take a decision without unprecedented since the end of World War II: the annexation of Crimea.

"Why in the world are so tied U.S. hands'?

"From Crimea to North Korea, from Syria to Egypt, and from Iraq to Afghanistan, the United States apparently has no good options.Crimea and Russia has all we can do is punish (...). Iran is following the path of nuclear North Korea, but it seems that we can only ask them to sign a form of agreement that will surely have the same result as the North Korean. Our tough talk on a 'red line' in Syria was caused Putin to take the reins. We say that Bashar Al Assad must go, but the alignment with the opposition, which in turn supports Al Qaida is an unacceptable option (...) Why in the world are so tied U.S. hands ? "sentence" The Wall Street Journal "means a hard opinion piece that was Republican candidate in 2012, Mitt Romney.

For his part, Senator and former Republican presidential candidate John McCain says that "Obama has made ​​America look weak" in " The New York Times. " McCain does not skimp when it comes to blame the U.S. president of the steps taken by his Russian counterpart:" Para hesitation Mr. Putin invites aggression . His world is a brutally cynical place where power is worshiped and weakness is despised. View the fall of the Soviet Union as the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century. Not agree that Russia's neighbors, let alone Ukraine are independent countries. To him they are areas that have to be returned to Moscow domain anyway. "

Obama's strategy

This tense situation is not new for Obama. Management of the crises in Libya, Iran and most recently Syria, were already triggers complaints from those who claimed even unilateral action if they could not be obtained international support that both appreciates President when acting in field alien. Their goal has always been clear and in this case the fact remains: underline differences with his predecessor, George Bush, and his acting.

"Bush invaded Iraq and launched two wars. Still, Russia invaded Georgia »

In September 2013, after the attack with chemical weapons in Syria, the "red line" that he had traced him to the regime of Assad, Obama declined to give a military response alone. searched the support of Congress and not used his presidential powers,something which in that case was entitled. His was an image at odds with the ten years before Bush had to be wrapped in a flamboyant martial paraphernalia to undertake the invasion of Iraq. Finally, Russia took the initiative and got the agreement that Assad vowed to destroy its chemical arsenal.Again, most critical to the president, who stepped out in an interview which he claimed that he was concerned about "less style" and more "get to do the right policy." However, the main headline was not that and yes that Putin had won the game in diplomacy .

Returning to this March, the reality is that Putin is experiencing one of the moments of greatest strength in the context of Russian domestic politics and seem to care little or nothing the sanctions and appeals that come from the outside. For Obama to be seen how it will affect this new front, as already shown by the above cases, will take its toll in U.S.American opposition, with his eyes on and lessons of 2016, is seizing the moment to go campaigning, but what would your response be if they who govern?

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the White House has clear things and on Tuesday strongly defended the actions of Obama: "Bush had a reputation based on the use of military force, however, failed to prevent the invasion of Putin in Georgia in 2008 ."