An Insight into President Obama's Speech on 10th Sept 2013 - Turning point on Syrian War!

Obama’s Military See – Saw!

                                             Tweets @KANWALanalyst                                                       

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President Barack Obama address to the nation on 10^th September 2013, Tuesday night, from the East Room of the White House, made waves to the world on the pattern of a military see-saw swing! The poetic ballads of President’s speech sung on the beat of 15 minutes clarinet, was nonetheless a dose of sedation given to military men and at same time giving a message to American people – “Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.”

Obama’s main purpose of the nation’s address was not to be a world’s hero, but he aimed to save his descending popularity among Americans! Few minutes before the President’s speech - Ari Fleischer: Former White House Press Secretary tweeted: “Tonight President Obama will hit the reset button on his relationship with his own policies!”

The Pentagon park where grasses have become more greener - due to its excess black and white water on the astroturf – mocked a reality of an imported “military see - saw” swing from its allies and Saudi clan! The balance of the swing was none other than the Russian offer of diplomacy solution.

Obama claimed on one side of the “see” that he is 100% with the Americans – by answering to their questions in his speech in a firm, friendly yet tactful manner - “I will not put American boots on the ground in Syria. I will not pursue an open-ended action like Iraq or Afghanistan. This would be a targeted strike to achieve a clear objective, deterring the use of chemical weapons & degrading Assad’s capabilities!”

The other side of the “saw” was to establish more trust with his military men and at the same time – pacify the families of the troops involved in the potential Syrian military strike and to those who just welcomed their men back from Iraq and Afghanistan. He stated in his speech, “The US military doesn’t do pinpricks. Even a limited strike will send a message to Assad that no other nation can deliver.”

Obama wants to send signals to Assad – or any other dictator – “think twice before using chemical weapons.”

In order to maintain cordial relations with all the stakeholders of the White House, Obama went to the extent of mentioning about “the left and the right” groups and sort to touch their hearts through their vested interests. To my friends on the right “I ask you to reconcile your commitment to America’s military might with the failure to act when a cause is so plainly just.” To my friends on the left “I ask you to reconcile your belief in freedom and dignity for all people with those images of children writhing in pain.”

President Obama stated that the use of chemical weapons is a “crime against humanity” – and reflected on the events of World War 1 and World War 2 – till the day “On 21^st August 2013, these basic rules were violated, along with our sense of common humanity. No one disputes that chemical weapons were used in Syria.”

Obama shared with the world that he would be sending Secretary of State John Kerry to meet his Russian counterpart on Thursday, and while he would continue his own discussions with President Putin.

Conclusion:  President Obama ended on a note of retrospection, by quoting Franklin Roosevelt - 32^nd President of the United States (1933-1945) who once said, “Our national determination to keep free of foreign wars and foreign entanglements - cannot prevent us from feeling deep concern when ideas and principles that we have cherished are challenged!” Obama furthered it by stating that the ideas and principles, as well as The United States national security is at stake in Syria – and that he has to seek to ensure that the worst weapons will never be used.

Obama ended his poetic ballad, on a self - defense mechanism melody that “America is not the world’s policeman. Terrible things happen across the globe, and it is beyond our means to right every wrong.”

Ø      Political Commentators have predicted that the President will face a tough time in balancing the see-saw of American military stance - if the diplomatic option as offered by Russia fails!

Ø      All eyes are focused on the Geneva meeting between Kerry and Lavona – which is hoped to bring some viable solution on the limelight! It is not easy as Obama has stated - to deter Assad’s capability with “limited strikes” and also keep the dignity of citizens on the upper scale by having “No American boots on the ground!”

Ø      If I tune a song in honor of President’s Speech and military stance – I will sing a Korean dialectic version of “Tera pyar pyar huqa bar, Tera war waar muka mar!” And re mix it with Bob Dylan song of “Talkin’ World War 3 blues!”

BY:           KANWAL ABIDI

*Journalist / Political Analyst / Blogger and Founder of Mishsal Welfare Trust