Related Topics

• Strategic alliances
• US policy
• US politics

Middle East Quarterly

• Early Zionists and Arabs
  by Judea Pearl
• Jail for Iranian Journalists
  by Arash Sigarchi

Get Involved with the MEF

• Campus Activities
• Donations
• Employment & Internships

Articles by MEF Staff

• Syria Can't Be Flipped
  by Michael Rubin
• The Islamist Role in the 2008 Canadian Elections
  by Raheel Raza

MEF Wires

• Jihad on Trial
  by Andrew C. McCarthy
• The Secret War With Iran
  by Ronen Bergman

Press Releases

• Irfan Yusuf Apologizes Again to Daniel Pipes
  October 1
• Irfan Yusuf Apologizes to Daniel Pipes
  September 17

Most Viewed Articles

1. Assessing English Translations of the Qur'an
2. Review of The Jewel of Medina
3. Beheading in the Name of Islam
4. Prince Charles of Arabia
5. Early Zionists and Arabs

Most Mailed Articles

1. Ending America's Dependence on Middle East Oil
2. Review of The Jewel of Medina
3. Assessing English Translations of the Qur'an
4. Jihad on Trial
5. Obama's Middle East Studies Mentors

Research and Writing

Obama in Berlin

by Michael Rubin
Washington Post
July 24, 2008

Print

Send

RSS

Obama's words are inspirational, but if anything will be learned from the Bush administration, it is that leadership must run deeper than rhetoric. Berlin's freedom was won with blood and treasure. It was secured neither with withdrawals nor unilateral disarmament.

Consistency matters. Obama has yet to recognize that grand strategy cannot be as ephemeral as public opinion. Polls measure short-term desires, not long-term wisdom. After the devastation of World War I, Britons wanted no more war. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned from Munich convinced he had fulfilled their wishes, but his diplomacy only emboldened his enemies. The American public punished Harry S. Truman for sending troops to die in Korea. Today he is remembered as among the greatest presidents, and deservedly so, as any juxtaposition between North and South Korea attests.

We must work with our allies, but we also must recognize that multilateralism comes with a price. Coalitions can dilute effectiveness. The European concept of multilateralism is Washington's obeisance to European positions. Western Europe exists in a bubble of stability and affluence, unable to fathom how dangerous extremist ideology in Tehran and Pyongyang can be. Multilateral organizations are not the answer; at best, they are ineffective soap boxes, at worst cesspools of venality. Rose petals and well-digging have never stopped bombs, racism or genocide. A strong military has.

Obama says, "Let us remember this history." Let us hope he first learns it. Leadership is about more than rhetoric.

Related Topics: Strategic alliances, US policy, US politics

To receive articles regularly by email, join the MEF News mailing list.

Related Items

• Other items by Michael Rubin
• Other items from Washington Post