Many In Middle East Struggling To Understand Obama’s Syria Policy -- McClatchy News
AMMAN, Jordan — Ahmad Nemah, a midlevel Syrian rebel commander, is certain there’s sound military logic behind President Barack Obama’s decision to delay U.S. missile strikes against the Syrian regime, but he’s having a hard time persuading his subordinates.
“I know that this is not a postponement but a strategic pause to . . . set up for a surprise attack,” insisted Nemah, a former colonel in Syrian air force intelligence. “Of course, people are depressed, and I’m having trouble convincing everyone that there will be a strike.”
There’s a good reason why Nemah is having difficulty selling his argument to his fighters of the Free Syrian Army, the loose tangle of disparate guerrilla bands nominally backed by the United States and its European and Arab allies. Obama’s abrupt decision on Saturday to delay the strikes that seemed just hours away is being seen in the region as the latest confirmation of an incoherent U.S. approach of mixed messages and unfulfilled threats that have driven America’s standing to a new low.
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Update: In Mideast, View of U.S. as Hesitant Superpower Sharpens -- Reuters
My Comment: Many in the Middle East have trouble understanding that President Obama's focus is on his Presidency .... and as far as what the "Arab street" may think of him .... that is not his primary concern. In fact .... when viewed from a U.S. political angle .... President Obama's position on Syria is very coherent and not at all weak. He is protecting himself politically .... and he has positioned himself to not be impacted significantly if U.S. involvement in Syria goes "south" with U.S. participation (i.e. military strikes) .... or without. The fall guy will be Congress .... or at worst .... the Republicans will be his accomplices.