US President Barack Obama

Decommissioning advice for Damascus?

Brian Walker on September 10, 2013, 6:31 pm

| Readers 59

Is a de Chastelain-type decommissioning process soon to hit Damascus? Will our own international peacemakers rush over to give advice? But which side would they advise? Al-Assad or the Russians and their nominees? It took the good general 10 long years and a lot of guile from Gerry Adams, as that connoisseur of IRA strategy Ed Moloney recalled. Barack Obama should ask the Clintons what he’s letting himself in for. Off the hook perhaps?. Ten years is two and a half presidential …

“Adding more weapons to this volatile situation could destabilise the entire region…”

Pete Baker on June 15, 2013, 6:42 pm

| Readers 45

The Northern Ireland First and deputy First Ministers were in a sunny Downing Street garden yesterday, welcoming that suspect package, and extolling the virtues of demonstrating “peacefully, positively, constructively” [Is that with, or without, a Thompson sub-machine gun? – Ed] Without, probably… ANYhoo, on the same day Sinn Féin released the text of what appears to be a different speech to that delivered in Downing Street by the Mid Ulster MP Northern Ireland deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness – made at …

“As usual, few things are as unreliable as Obama’s speeches and rhetoric…”

Pete Baker on May 30, 2013, 6:52 pm

| Readers 53

At the Big G’s Comment is Free, Glenn Greenwald follows up on his excellent analysis of US President Barack Obama’s recent ‘war on terror’ speech to focus in on one of those domestic political problems I mentioned – “the serious threat posed by the Obama administration to press freedoms”. From Glenn Greenwald’s post Outside of the most hardened Obama media loyalists, it’s virtually impossible to find any defenses or even offers of excuses or mitigation for what the Obama administration has been doing …

“Obama may do things you progressives find distasteful, but at least marvel at how thoughtful and torn up he is about it all…”

Pete Baker on May 28, 2013, 2:48 pm

| Readers 54

With growing domestic political difficulties – the continued fall-out from Benghazi, the IRS caught targeting political opponents, the increased invocation of the 1917 Espionage Act against troublesome journalists, to name but three issues – US President Barack Obama is probably looking forward to his short June break at Lough Erne. In the meantime, though, take the time to read Glenn Greenwald’s excellent analysis of Obama’s recent ‘war on terror’ speech. From Glenn Greenwald’s post But whatever else is true, what should …

Weekend White House memes…

Pete Baker on March 2, 2013, 4:41 pm

| Readers 98

After US President Barack Obama mangled his sci-fi/popular culture references with his “Jedi mind-meld”, the White House twitter feed doubled down on the confusion… [The Farce is strong with this one – Ed] Meanwhile, also via the Professor, his critics are having fun with the latest in an occasional series of Presidential denials. Heh. Pete Baker

“Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics…” – Redux

Pete Baker on November 16, 2011, 3:35 pm

| Readers 3

US President Barack Obama is on a 9 day trip to the Pacific region, beginning in Australia where, as the Guardian reports The president is expected to announce the US is expanding its military presence in Australia – putting more equipment in place, increasing its access to bases and conducting more joint exercises and training. This is in response to an increasingly aggressive China, which claims dominion over vast areas of the Pacific that the US considers international waters, and …

“If Pakistan cannot or will not act…”

Pete Baker on May 4, 2011, 3:29 pm

| Readers 6

A “war of words” has broken out between the US and Pakistan over the former’s decision to launch a “unauthorised unilateral action” resulting in the targeted killing of Osama Bin Laden on Pakistani soil. There were some relevant comments made at the first White House press briefing [2 May] following Bin Laden’s death. At the start of the briefing the Obama Administration Press Secretary, John Carney, quoted Barack Obama in July 2008 – “We must make it clear that, if Pakistan cannot or will …

“Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics…”

Pete Baker on May 2, 2011, 10:30 pm

| Readers 9

Over a month after US President Barack Obama’s unilateral decision to authorize US forces to use missile strikes “kinetic military action” against Libya without the approval of Congress, and the UN withdraws from Tripoli as its offices, and other foreign missions, are attacked in the aftermath of a NATO air strike on one of Muammar Gadafy’s homes. In addition, “world leaders and security experts have urged renewed vigilance against retaliatory attacks” after President Obama authorised a targeted killing, of Osama bin Laden, on Pakistani soil – …

“I hope the people of Ireland will give him a brilliant and wonderful welcome…”

Pete Baker on March 31, 2011, 11:56 pm

| Readers 10

Another post possibly related to the point Mick was making… As the BBC notes US President Barack Obama will not cross the border into Northern Ireland when he visits the Republic of Ireland, the Irish prime minister has said. From the breakingnews.ie report The Government is gearing up for the historic May visit after President Obama announced on St Patrick’s Day that he wanted to return to his roots in Moneygall, Co Offaly. But the Taoiseach said that under diplomatic rules …

Not Magical Unicorn Fairyland.

Pete Baker on March 26, 2011, 8:42 pm

| Readers 6

US President Barack Obama’s unilateral decision to authorize US forces to use missile strikes “kinetic military action” against Libya without the approval of Congress prompted a number of House Representatives within the Democratic Party to express their concerns. It also prompted something of a debate about the constitutionality of his decision – with some arguing that “the Obama administration [was] breaking new ground in its construction of an imperial presidency”. There is, however, a reasonable case in support of the President’s position, …