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Another Perspective
Hillary Clinton and the Burden of World Leadership
Who said the war is global? Our Maghreb friends.
(Page 2 of 3)
Folks voted, did they not? Democracy is going to the ballot box and stuffing it, is it not? Dropping your vote in it and hoping others will do the same. So why was it a sham? Simultaneously, folks were voting a few countries to the south, in Senegal, for a new president. Or to keep the incumbent. Mr. Wade, his name. Tall, handsome, a bit old but still going strong. Typical proud and arrogant Wolof, a Mr. Know-it-all. I expected Madame Secretary to have something to say about that, but she was mum. Of course it could be that Mr. Wade rather circumvented the constitution, which has a term-limit clause.
Bit of a problem, these term limit clauses. Mr. Tyrrell himself, once against them, more lately has supported them. His motive is that the rule helps throw the rascals out. But as Mister Dooley might have said, what do you want to do, trade one set for another? Personally I am opposed to term limits, as were the Founders — I believe the matter was discussed at the Philadelphia Convention, but check with Professor Rabkin or that other big-brain man (and ex-Navy officer) Professor Codevilla, because what do I know.
The other forget-about-term-limits man is, of course, Mr. Bloomberg, mayor of the city where our Secretary was Senator — no I am off again, I mean of course President Bouteflika, Mrs. Clinton’s host in Algiers, at least for a few hours over the weekend. He was supposed to have hit the term-limit ceiling a couple years ago but he went ahead and urged his friends in the city council, excuse me the legislature, to amend the law, which they did.
Now here is a man the Berbers do not like. They said so in their letter: ” The Algerian president is an old man who betrayed the constitution by getting himself elected to a third five-year term in 2009.” Whoa, harsh, harsh! Why such hard words for the old pro?
The reason is this. The Kabyles would like to have self-determination. Mrs. Clinton was not, so far as we know, referring to what they have in mind. She meant the world’s peoples should be in charge of their own affairs, just like the voters of New York. She meant the people of Syria. She meant the people who made the Arab Spring. But what of the people who never got a chance to say what they wanted by way of self-determination?
“We know [the Anavad writes to the Secretary of State] the world that was de-colonized some 50 years ago is still rife with cruel dictators.”
The Kabyles, it must be remembered, were, individually and as a tribal group, in the front lines of the fight against colonialism, French colonialism in this case. They feel they were betrayed by what they refer to as the Arabo-Islamist-Baathist regime that beat them up in a short, violent war that erupted after the French pulled out. The Kabyles feel they were largely responsible for winning that war. But they put aside their own feelings in favor of Arab-Berber solidarity against the French. So they were disappointed when the Arabs turned on them and set up a Arabo-Islamist-Baathist regime. This regime, they say, repressed the Kabyles, subverted the national revolution’s democratic aspirations, set up a one-party dictatorship backed by the army, repressed liberty, imposed proto-Islamist laws, and, because the revolution makes strange partners, turned to the Soviets for help (and models.)
This is a lot of hooey, their opponents reply. The Algerian government is headed by a Berber from Kabylie, Mr. Ahmed Ouyahia. Kabyles are at every level of Algerian society. These Anavad folks are nothing but troublemakers — malcontents.
“These tyrants,” the letter to Mrs. C. continues, “are falling like flies. We applaud your efforts to support the peoples who fight for their freedom, for peace, for human rights.”
It is awfully nice of them to say such nice things about us. Admit it is white of them. Particularly when the American ambassador to Algeria, Henry Ensher, cannot find even a few words for them. Of course, protocol oblige and all that. He is our man in Algiers, not our man in Tizi-Ouzou, their main city.
“We are not proud of those who govern the country, against the people’s will, and who supported the fallen dictators. Too, they support the Syrian butcher.”
Ambassador Ensher prefers not to argue about this, knowing as a good diplomat must that Algerian foreign policy — like our own — must deal with the world as it is, not as it ought to be. Judiciously, he notes that an economically strong North Africa, with cooperation between the Tunisians and Algerians and Moroccans, is in the American interest, particularly as it will enhance security cooperation. The U.S.-Algeria balance of trade is about 50-50, according to an Algerian business acquaintance who prefers to be called “Oscar.” That is in billions, with our imports mainly coming from Algeria’s energy sector.
The Anavad warns Mrs. C. that the Algiers regime is a rogue:
The Algerian regime lies; the U.S. knows it cannot trust leaders who are allied to the Iranians and dream of having their own nuclear weapon. It supports AQMI [al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb] which operates in the Sahel [southern Sahara], as well as the Malian dictatorship against the Tuareg people that is fighting for its existence.
This is not going to please anyone in the State Department, which does not consider Mali to be run by a dictatorship and which is highly skeptical of any suggestion that the Tuareg are, as implied here, fighting for survival. And it certainly does not want to be told that AQMI is supported by our Algerian partners-against-terrorism. And many in Algeria are outraged by such an accusation.
About the Author
Roger Kaplan, a Washington-based writer, covers the Middle East and Africa (and tennis) for The American Spectator.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (24) | Leave a comment
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Mike Hawk| 2.29.12 @ 6:45AM
Roger, go find a tennis match to write about. You are less boring (I didn't think it possible) that way and at least you know the subject.
Von Mises Jr.| 2.29.12 @ 11:01AM
Vietnam is arguably better off today than in the sixties. And we abandoned them due to people like Hillary. They got slaugtered. They were imprisoned and enslaved. And fifty years after our departure, Hillary would like to take credit for their success. So we have learned nothing, and we shall try again until it turns out just like written by their philosophers during the "Age of Reason."
On your knees and thank Heaven for our Dear Leaders.
Brian Mc| 2.29.12 @ 7:20AM
And, here, back at home, we willingly become a tad more subservient to the all-knowing, all-powerful One. From there, it's just a short hop to total submission to those who truly know what is best...on a much grander scale.
Moe Blotz| 2.29.12 @ 7:40AM
Missuz Clinton has a mild temper? She earned the moniker "red queen" from a few outbursts that are recorded and often featured on a certain nationally syndicated talk show. My brother has a pet name for Madame Secretary, "Hildebeast." Maybe the olde bagge is hoping to take the Jeffersonian route to the White House. Fat chance.
Indy| 2.29.12 @ 7:49AM
Clinton is on Team Soros and believes in global governance.
"She called it a "sham" as soon as she was on the tarmac."
It wasn't too long ago, she called Assad a reformer.
The Arab Spring will not end well, the Muslim Brotherhood is gaining power, if you don't understand their goals, you should learn, they are no friend of the US and they are not moderate.
Timothy L. Pennell| 2.29.12 @ 9:33AM
You hit it right on the head, with one teeny weeny misunderstanding: The Arab Spring/Muslim Brotherhood.
Obama WANTS them in Charge. He WANTS Egypt in the Islamist Tent. He WANTS Libya in the Islamist Tent. That's the Great Peace Prize Laureate BOMBED Khaddafi.
Remember why he HAD TO Intervene in Libya. Khaddafi had "Killed" about 150 of his own people. People who were seeking Freedom from a Dictator.
Remember that he did NOTHING, as Iranians were being Murdered it the streets, by their Dictator. Obama said that: "We mustn't meddle".
THOUSANDS have been Killed by Assad, in Syria. And, yet, the Great Emancipator does NOTHING. Why is that?
The MUSLIM in Chief sees no need to rock the boat with Iran and Syria. Egypt was not yet in the Islamist Camp. Neither was Libya. They were not yet aligned against ISRAEL.
Iran and Syria, are the Point of the Spear, where the Destruction of the Jewish State is concerned. It could not be any plainer. It could not be more OBVIOUS.
He Bows to the King of Saudi Arabia. He Bows to the Keeper of the Muslim Holy Sites of Mecca and Medina. He does NOT Bow, to the Christian Queen of England.
He gives his very first interview, upon becoming President, to Al-Arabia. His first Foreign Tour is to the ARAB WORLD. His LEAST FAVORITE Foreign Leader (His own words) is Bibi Netanyahu.
He is the Son of a Muslim Father. He was raised in the Muslim Schools and Mosques, of Indonesia. He knelt on his Prayer Rug, facing Mecca, and prayed 5 times a day to the Muslim God of MURDER. He told George Stephanopoulos that "The Muslim Call to Prayer, is the most beautiful sound in the world". And, then, he recited it with a smile on his face, that would make the Cheshire Cat jealous.
We must not be afraid to see the TRUTH.
He is what he is. He's a Radical Leftist Muslim, being bankrolled by a Jew, who spent "The best time of my life" helping the NAZIS, in their effort to Exterminate his fellow Jews.
It ain't Rocket Science. If I said something that wasn't true, feel free to correct me.
As far as Her Thighness?
Who thinks that putting an Emotionally Battered Wife, who has endured a lifetime of Humiliation at the hands of her Rapist Husband, in ANY JOB, is a good idea?
I'm just saying.
VBMax| 2.29.12 @ 10:23AM
Yep, it's so obvious to us but we apparently underestimated the number of useful idiots out there.
skip| 2.29.12 @ 1:09PM
"..as soon as she was on the tarmac"
Re tarmacs, did she have to dodge a hail of bullets on this tarmac like she once stated she had on another tarmac?
Re once stated statements once made, was Vince Foster available for any?
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.29.12 @ 8:12AM
When someone makes on artful observation about the world, it doesn't cleanse the plate of all the politically ignorant observations and beliefs they still hold.
JamesJ| 2.29.12 @ 8:21AM
Oh puleeeeze...Hillary has never been about anything but the accumulation of power. She grew up with and her education strengthened, her sense of elitism that she knows better than the little people how to run their lives. Remember Hillarycare?
DIck Nome| 2.29.12 @ 8:31AM
..mild temper... has she quit throwing lamps at Bill?? Geez, the woman has bigger balls than most RINOs and a mouth like a muleskinner.
hardcard| 2.29.12 @ 8:56AM
How's she doing with those cattle futures ?
Bob Grant| 2.29.12 @ 9:49AM
"..the woman has bigger balls than most RINOs and a mouth like a muleskinner.."
... The balls she allegedly possesses, how have they helped US's standing in the World?
I think this woman gets a free pass on critiques of her performance as Secretary of State.
Her performance has been horrible. She apparently has ZERO negotiating skills as evidence of handling of the Israel/Iran dispute, the Arab Spring, the European Crisis; our relationship with Russia, with China, the Iranian "spring", Honduras, ...
No major breakthroughs that serve the best interests of the United States. ALWAYS, WILLINGLY, negotiating from a position of weakness, not power.
Where's the criticism? ....She gets as much of a free pass as her boss!
Dick Nome| 2.29.12 @ 10:12AM
Ever heard of the "Hillary Clinton Testicle Lockbox"? Her cast iron balls refer to her chutzpah. RINOs are gutless, spineless and neutered wimps in her presence and she takes advantage of that. Read the statement again. She is grossly unsuited to a job she is clueless about. Her Thighness is a disaster.
Dick Nome| 2.29.12 @ 10:15AM
I forgot, she is reknowned for her foul mouth and the 'f'bomb. The stories of staffers scurrying away like rats when she used to walk down the halls of the WH wer legendary.
SUBVET| 2.29.12 @ 9:26PM
Hey BOB.............their both on the same page.
shipley130| 2.29.12 @ 12:29PM
I don't give a rat hair about Hillary Clinton's pantsuits. I do, however, care very much about her thuggery, her dishonesty.
Dick Nome| 2.29.12 @ 1:10PM
One of her other nicknames is "The Arkansas Broadbeam". Guess why.
Dan Frick| 2.29.12 @ 1:49PM
The War on Terror / War to Defend Islam and Propagate the Faith is almost exclusively a war of ideas. So far we have put forward none. Until we do we will continue to lose. The ideas of radical (strict) Islam are incompatible with economic progress and political freedom. But unless we state this no one will know.
Stan Redmond| 2.29.12 @ 2:49PM
A few things come to my mind. Obama and his kind crave the absolute power these despots weild over their citizens. Everyone is equal, everyone is free to vote for them and only them. Power and power and power. That's why Obama bows down to them. He respects it and wants it.
Another. Clinton and these same despots allowed one of the most disgusting failures of world leadership to occur in Rawanda. They didn't care then, they don't care now.
Tiddly| 2.29.12 @ 4:17PM
I quit reading when the author started praising Hillary Clinton. First of all, we don't want a woman in that job. Second of all, if we had to have a woman for reasons of political correctness, this talentless harpy who rode her slimy husband's coattails to the top is absolutely the wrong one, drunk on power and showing her ineptitude at every turn.
That picture of "men" respectfully following this hag around and catering to her whims should turn the stomach of every man. Where have the real men gone?
POST American| 2.29.12 @ 10:36PM
"Understand, we are living in a
PSYCHOPATHIC system, designed
and directed by PSYCHOPATHS.
Remember, PSYCHOPATHS worship
power, and run on PURE ego. They
have NO conscience whatsoever, and
can turn on a dime ideologically.
The worship power and those above,
and can visit a nursery and mandate
funds for the extermination of the
unborn ---all before lunch without blinking.
PSYCHOPATHS are superb actors and
liars. They, in some KEY ways, KNOW
you better than you know yourself.
They can also recognize each other
and work together. PSYCHOPATHY is,
in fact, one of the traits which CAN be
bred into families. WE are living in a
PSYCHOPATHIC system, with a
PSYCHOPATHIC culture ----run by
PSYCOPATHS."
Learn about PSYCHOPATHY, and
PSYCHOPATHS.
Teach your children about PSYCHOPATHS.
WE ARE living in a PSYCHOPATHIC system.
"And DON'T be sad if you haven't made
it in this system. It probably means nothing
more than that you yourself are NOT
a PSYCHOPATH."
--AMEN--
J.C.Eaton| 3.1.12 @ 1:33AM
AMSPEC: Quit paying this bombastic,unctuous, obsequious toady by the word. Good grief that was a waste of cyberspace.
Tex Expatriate| 3.1.12 @ 1:58PM
The trouble with intellectuals like Roger Kaplan is they think and then write all around the obvious, completely missing it. Poor things are too burdened with too much useless information. Using Ockham's Razor we arrive at the explanation for America's current involvement in "global affairs." It's this: The Marxists in the Democrat Party need constant crisis to remake America into a socialist utopia. The Useful Idiots who vote Marxist Democrats into power need the illusion of dear leaders doing something.