For many observers the Obama Administration’s Middle East policy was overly cautious, especially at a time of high turmoil and human tragedy in the region. In Libya, President Obama was derided for “leading from behind.” In Syria, his failure, after drawing a red line, to bomb Syrian poison gas arsenals was dismissed by hawkish critics on the right and inevitably by the press, too, as lacking fighting spirit.
President Obama’s acceptance of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer to dismantle the Syrian chemical armory is too little remembered. Though, as we learned, it was not a complete success, it served to dispose of a significant portion of Syria’s chemical arsenal and prevented chemical attacks on civilians for more than two years. At a time when Pope Francis was leading the world in prayer for peace, it also de-escalated a conflict that appeared ready to intensify.
This article is reserved for paid subscribers. Please subscribe to continue reading this article
Subscribe
The most respected digital Catholic journal from Rome. A must-read on all the present issues alive in the Church. Discover top Church scholars interpreting the history, politics, culture, science and art in the light of the Christian faith.
© Union of Catholic Asian News 2022 | All Rights Reserved.
Except for any fair dealing permitted under the Hong Kong Copyright Ordinance, no part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior permission.
