01-06-2010, 11:42 PM
The Gaza Flotilla
![[Image: gazaflotilla.jpg]](http://electricpolitics.com/media/photos/gazaflotilla.jpg)
A few weeks back retired Ambassador Ed Peck sent an email to a couple people, including me. "Friends, I have just been invited to take part in this noble effort," Ed wrote, "a different kind of cruise." Ed likes cruises. Indeed, he takes quite a few of them. Nevertheless, this was different. The last time I saw Ed in person — I'd sat down next to him by accident about ten months ago — he looked in good health and his mind (and humor) were certainly as sharp (and funny) as ever. But I worried. "I hope you've got a life jacket and that you're a good swimmer," I emailed in reply, and said that, if he wanted, I'd be honored to interview him once he got back. Well, news crossed the wires yesterday that Ed, age 81, survived Israel's murderous assault on the flotilla and that Israel is sending him home.
Let me make one other connection than the usual here, a more general observation I haven't seen anybody else make but one which Gen. Colin Powell hinted at ever so subtly the other day.
When foreign governments see that Mr. Obama hasn't got the balls to confront BP — a foreign company (!) — over the most monstrous environmental catastrophe in U.S. history, they draw conclusions. When it's crunch time, this guy folds. So when some cabinet underling, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, whomever, shows up acting tough, saying that they "speak for the President of the United States," their foreign interlocutors will now discount that almost to the point where the only issue is whether the underling has any independent clout. Otherwise, going forward, the ritual invocation of presidential power won't cost anyone in foreign capitals much sleep.
I've no doubt that this was a factor in Israel's attack on the Gaza flotilla. It could become a factor in resolving tensions with North Korea. It's worrisome... And it's worth pointing out.
Posted by George Kenney on June 1, 2010 3:34 AM
http://www.electricpolitics.com/2010/06/the_gaza_flotilla.html#more
A few weeks back retired Ambassador Ed Peck sent an email to a couple people, including me. "Friends, I have just been invited to take part in this noble effort," Ed wrote, "a different kind of cruise." Ed likes cruises. Indeed, he takes quite a few of them. Nevertheless, this was different. The last time I saw Ed in person — I'd sat down next to him by accident about ten months ago — he looked in good health and his mind (and humor) were certainly as sharp (and funny) as ever. But I worried. "I hope you've got a life jacket and that you're a good swimmer," I emailed in reply, and said that, if he wanted, I'd be honored to interview him once he got back. Well, news crossed the wires yesterday that Ed, age 81, survived Israel's murderous assault on the flotilla and that Israel is sending him home.Let me make one other connection than the usual here, a more general observation I haven't seen anybody else make but one which Gen. Colin Powell hinted at ever so subtly the other day.
When foreign governments see that Mr. Obama hasn't got the balls to confront BP — a foreign company (!) — over the most monstrous environmental catastrophe in U.S. history, they draw conclusions. When it's crunch time, this guy folds. So when some cabinet underling, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, whomever, shows up acting tough, saying that they "speak for the President of the United States," their foreign interlocutors will now discount that almost to the point where the only issue is whether the underling has any independent clout. Otherwise, going forward, the ritual invocation of presidential power won't cost anyone in foreign capitals much sleep.
I've no doubt that this was a factor in Israel's attack on the Gaza flotilla. It could become a factor in resolving tensions with North Korea. It's worrisome... And it's worth pointing out.
Posted by George Kenney on June 1, 2010 3:34 AM
http://www.electricpolitics.com/2010/06/the_gaza_flotilla.html#more
"Where is the intersection between the world's deep hunger and your deep gladness?"