Did German Chancellor Merkel take a huge public swipe at the Bush Administration?

Great Debates
21

Why is it a personal comment about Bush? I think she’s just pointing out that she and Obama more closely agree on this issue than she and the Bush admin.

Let me preface this by saying that I care very little about how foreign leaders view Obama. After all, he’s not looking out for their interests, he’s looking out for mine. In fact, foreign leaders probably view Obama the same way they view other leaders (including Bush): as looking out for his own country’s interests first. Sometimes your own country’s interests diverge from other countries’ interests, so those countries are going to oppose you on those issues.

However, things are not all sunshine, roses, and “smart diplomacy” since Obama took office. Surely it’s not a tremendous slight to note that Obama’s foreign policy has taken a few lumps in its early days. And again, these “lumps” are typically from foreign leaders who merely disagree with certain of Obama’s policies. It’s probably not a personal distaste for Obama. They just disagree with him on some policy.

But here are some examples (some examples of real gaffes, and some IMO silly):

Rift between Merkel and Obama?

Calls India a “tax haven,” despite the fact that India has tax rates on foreign corporations as high as 55%.

Shoddy political treatment of Gordon Brown.

Downing Street whines that Obama people won’t even answer their telephone calls.

Obama admin says they deliberately kept the UK in the dark about settling the Uighurs in Bermuda (a UK protectorate), until the Uighurs were on the plane to Bermuda, which apparently displeases the UK.

Fails to invite Queen Elizabeth – the only living head of state who is a World War 2 veteran – to the D-Day celebration. (But this is a French event. Shouldn’t they be responsible for the invitations?)

(I’m going to leave out the shoddy gifts given to Brown and Queen Elizabeth – including giving DVDs in a format that’s not playable in the UK – and returning the Churchill bust because I think those are both well-known and small.)

Gift to Russia – a “reset” button – includes incorrect Russian word for “reset.”

Russia cut off our supply lines through Kyrgyzstan, announced its intention to start building new nuclear weapons, has reneged on its commitment to pull troops out of Georgia, refuses to pressure Iran to stop building nukes, and when Obama sends Russia a confidential letter offering to back off plans for a missile shield in Europe in exchange for increased Russian pressure on Iran to stop building nukes, Russia refuses and then leaks the letter.

“President Obama’s reluctance to spend more than minimum time with the French leader on his visit for the D-Day anniversary has come as an embarrassment to the Elysée Palace.”

Sarkozy calls Obama’s foreign policy “insubstantial.”

Obama makes several moves that have been interpreted as snubs by the Brazilian media.

(In terms of silly slights, I think this one might take the cake): Obama photograph showing him with his feet on the desk while talking to Israeli PM seen as insulting by Israeli media.

NATO allies peeved by Obama’s surprise appointment of NATO head, which was made without consulting NATO allies.

German and French leaders peeved by Obama attempting to inject himself into purely European decisions (whether to admit Turkey into the EU).

VP Biden thanks Spain for all their help in Iraq.

Homeland Security Chief says that 9/11 terrorists entered the US through Canada, which is both false and displeases Canada.

Bolivian leader says Obama “lied” about cooperation.

Obama flip flops on recognition of Armenian genocide.

Reneges on component of NAFTA regarding trucking, so Mexico responds by increasing tariffs on American agricultural goods.

“happy cuatro de cinco.” (I thought this one was kind of funny)

Honduras, which provides an example of (as the liberal New Republic calls it) Obama “fetishizing” the presidency while opposing democracy.

And several other foreign policy issues – several of which surround North Korea, Iran, and Russia (often combined with India, Pakistan, Cuba, and Venezuela) – have been interpreted through the lens of Biden’s prediction that foreign leaders will test Obama by creating international crises.

There are plenty more, but I think you get the idea.