President Obama's lack of quick and decisive action in dealing with the pirate/terrorist/hostage crisis shows that he likely wants to prove he can deal with thugs in a diplomatic way.
He wants to make this crisis a microcosm of showing the world that he represents a new way of doing things.
How will we know he succeeded? There are two necessary outputs.
- The American hostage must be returned unharmed without any action taken by our military.
- There must be a noticeable decrease in pirating and hostage taking.
As for the second, that may prove to be more difficult. A vital requirement to encourage a decrease in pirating is providing a deterrent. Diplomatic solutions tend to only encourage dangerous behavior. This morning's taking of the American-owned tugboat seems to enhance that notion.
Here it is, Mr. President. Prove you're a transcendent figure. The world is watching.
Your #2 would be unlikely if we do not penalize them for taking a US ship. Why would they stop if they succeed so often and there is no downside?
ReplyDeleteTotally agreed. That's the problem with diplomatic solutions with terrorists...there is no opportunity to deter them from doing it again.
ReplyDeleteYou can't blockade a terrorist organization. You can't restrict trade with a terrorist organization.
As I said on Wednesday, Obama needed to act quickly and decisively. But instead he is trying his way of doing things. Here is our chance to see how it doesn't work.