Obama's First Foreign Policy Test

President-elect Barack Obama campaigned on deploying additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan -- and, potentially, taking military action in Pakistan -- as part of a renewed focus on a neglected war against Al Qaeda and its Taliban allies. When he takes the oath of office Jan. 20, he'll inherit a far different regional picture in South Asia than his campaign could have anticipated.

Over the past several weeks, developments in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India pose new challenges for the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. The Karzai government in Kabul has dramatically moved to bring the war to a conclusion -- announcing the pursuit of far-reaching negotiations with the Taliban-led insurgency and calling, for the first time, for a U.S. timetable for withdrawal.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[old lady]

This is bushie's last test, and as usual, he flunked

[Susej]

Kick Bush out of the White House immediately and we'll let the Title pass.
But I'm afraid this is another consequences of the "Bring it on" attitude of Cow Boy Bush.

[Synnerman]

How can this be "Obama's test?"

He isn't even President yet. This is still Bush's job. Any attempt to slough this off on Obama is patently foolish.

He becomes president in January, I think the press should remember that.

[PWM]

Good point

[neocon666]

Hey, Sean Handjob is already talking about "The Obama Recession" on his radio show while the Wall Street meltdown happened on Bush's watch and Obama hasn't even been sworn in yet!

Not to mention the fact that India and Pakistan are nuclear countries, which limits what anyone from the outside can do beyond negotiating.

[canucklivinginUSA]

So Handjob as already conviniently forgotten to the jump Wall St had for four days during Obama's press conference. WOW, that man never ceases to amaze me

[harriscrl3]

Since they are both nuclear country sounds to me like mutually assured destruction which results in Detente. It seems to me that there is already a point at which they can negotiate. The pakistan leadership said they had nothing to do with this so work with them to find out who this group is and seek their assistance in bringing them to justice. It looks like this group might have come out of Kashmir rather than Pakistan which just goes to show the danger of jumping to conclusion perhaps someone should tell that to CNN.

Carol

[RJII]

I don't even think Obama is getting the presidential $400K salary yet, even though he's doing Bush's job.

Obama had to make his own seal. I've never seen anything like this situation in my life.

This is Bush's test. One I'm sure he will fail again. Why won't they just leave their offices now in the WH. America so weak right now, with most of it's military in Iraq. We're so vulnerable right now, especially since our lame duck president is hiding in Camp David.

[robeson]

No it's not Spencer. It's another failed policy of GW Bush. Hopefully it will be his last and final grade.

[SoD1]

Hmm.. Evidentially "Free Speech" is clearly stilll limited in the U.S. when it comes to some "certain" topics. Well, then since we all are apearently even here not allowed to speak directly about some topics .

Look up "Operation Northwood" in these co-realtions!
http://www.google.com/url?q=http://abcnews.go.com/US/story%3Fid%3D92662&sa=X&oi=revisions_result&resnum=6&ct=result&cd=1&cad=revid%3D225687360&usg=AFQjCNGvqtcAoZ_OCh6fSLLjiW1nCKH_LQ

[canucklivinginUSA]

What is this BS?

[SoD1]

Hmm.. I do agree with you, how can any democratic Go ernemnt and the self-proclaimed "Protector" of Humanity even have considerd planning such?

You see, I can even agreed, what a But maybe, just "maybe" you would have been more able to understand FAR MORE, if the "U.S." govermentment sponsored cesonrship wasn't at play even here of Huffingtonpost, as well hmm?

Have a lovely Sunday, friend.

[old lady]

spelling lesson sorely needed

[SoD1]

Questions and "doubts" are allowed, correct?

Astounding that the U.S. so eagerly wants to remain the "Police" of the World. The same Police force which bombed Pakistan in the last Month alone since Obama's election. Maybe even to just remain, the Police force of the World.
It reminds 'somewhat' of the firefighters who set a fire, just to take it out.
The Questions we ask will always be the key to any kind of solutions:
Why should something that is happening around the World be a "Test" for the American President Obama, was he or any other U.S. President 'elected' the President of the World?
How should U.S. involvement look like and how should it NOT look like at all?
What is, who has and why could have a motive?
Are the U.S. rocket attacks on Pakistan in the last Month the motive or is it just the created justification for a reaction that was wanted?
Why should the U.S. be directly involved - Militarily and with Secret Services - in any investigations in a foreign country, if both "maybe" are parts of the reasons for the attacks- IF we factor the continuous U.S. missiles attacks on Pakistan?
Would India, Cuba or China be allowed to do investigations within the U.S., if their Citizen get murdered in the U.S.??

[canucklivinginUSA]

You expect the media to make that kind of analytical reasoning?!!! My friend you expect to much for the American press

[SoD1]

Yes but certainly that is what they are been paid for. And I would say there is enough at stake by now that is worthy of all the effort, wouldn't you say so too hmm?

[bygollymissmolly]

Give me a break. Obama is not President so how can this be his first foreign policy test?

The MSM really is going out on a limb here. Suggesting things like Obama has to think twice about closing Gitmo because Pakistani terrorists struck in India. Like there's some connection there. I think not!

Pakistan is certainly going to the top of Obama's "to do" list, but it won't be acted upon until after January 20 when he is sworn in as President of the United States. Until then, what's going on in the world today is Bush's problem.

[old lady]

The neocons are still in charge leaking the slant they want the media to take so they can overinvolve us one more time

[Dupree]

Obama has not been sworn in yet (a little teeny tiny problem...that darn constitutional thingy) and we should at least wait before we officially "blame" him unless of course we wish to overlook this "little thingy" but then why stop there...lets blame him for the fall of all mankind...nevermind he was not there when Adam and Eve was in charge...that darn thingy thing. Let's blame him for the flood of Noah..so what he wasn't there...it is just a small thingy that we do not have to include in our assessment...gets too messy. Let's blame him for the economic failure...lets not confuse facts when we decides to place blame...its just too darn messy.

[RJII]

We should NOT blame Obama for anything bad for the next two years. I mean NOTHING. This is a real mess.

[Takae]

This is my lucky night. Second time somone's said what I wanted to say. Agreed with what you say.

[harriscrl3]

Unfortunately I think they will blame Obama for anything bad since they already are and he is not in office but you know what bothers me I'm optimistic and tend to look on the bright side will they credit him with the things he accomplish or will it just be lets blame him and then the things that he got right we just wont mention it or find other explanation for it.

Carol

[IndependentTogether]

**Obama's** first foreign policy test? That's rich. We only have one president at a time. Further, there is almost 2 months remaining until Obama takes office, and the world will not stand still until then. I hardly think that ANYONE can accurately predict what Obama's first true foreign policy test will be.

[SouthFloridaDem]

All the media is just pushing to try to make this "the test" that has caused so much controversy (which the media also created). Just like they're all desperately trying to tie the Mumbai crisis to Al Qaida.

[Charmed]

The last time I checked....Bush is the President. Obama won't be President until 1-20-09....you would think that these people knew that.

[harriscrl3]

Good grief CNN is still Insisting this is Obama's first Foreign Policy test. Someone really need to take this network to task. What a joke it has become.

Carol

[bygollymissmolly]

They are desperately trying to be the new Faux Noise. That's a move I don't quite get considering the fact that Fox is losing viewers daily. One would think they would rather emulate the new kid on the block whose numbers are growing daily (MSNBC).

[jdenham]

Well I would expect the sitting President should weigh in on this since he is still setting policy. Of course, if we need an intelligent appoach to this problem President Elect Obama can hold a Press conference and say what he will do whne he becomes President. Maybe that is what Bush is waitng for, so he will know what to do.

[lovable]

i now know why this is comming up. the washington independent is a right wing news paper can anyone correct me on that. they use to employ BILL SAMMON the right wing reporter who always reported the news and analized it in a right wing way . am i wrong about the paper. can someone tell me please. .

[LeftLeanWing]

LoL

I no I can't talk about anyone on here misspelling words.

But 'Analized' is a Good One !

[LeftLeanWing]

Yeah

I know, I no'd.

[RJII]

analized-- lmao. I'm gonna use that one and it won't be a typo.

[ohioan73]

If we are going to start "testing" Obama immediately, I want Bush out of the White House right now. Why even wait for the swearing-in? Bush should not be called Mr. President anymore if he is so ineffectual that people think of the next guy as the boss already.