France Plays the Spoiler
Playing the Israelis, Palestinians and the Saudis may be a challenge for President Obama, but French President Hollande is executing a strategy to fill the void the United States is leaving in the wake of Arab Spring.
Uncharacteristically aggressive, the French have willingly intervened in Libya and Mali while advocating military intervention in Syria. Now, they're taking a tough stand against Iran. The French have a plan and they're executing it.
As President Obama continue begging for Congressional support by holding off on creating additional sanctions against Iran, the French, like the Russians are staking out positions and establishing relationships that'll prove strategically advantageous as the Middle East continue to transition into some unseen before.
President Hollande has got sweetheart deals going with Saudi Arabia and Qatar that promises serious economic benefits down the line. Consequently partnering with the Israelis during these P5+1 talks puts the French in favor with the strongest and financially sound economies in the region. At a time when the Saudis and other regional partners have serious issues with the United States, the French are right there to ready to provide an alternative.
With full knowledge of what the consequences will be in the event a deal can't be reached, the French can rest assured they won't be the one's to foot the bill if and when a military conflict ensues. That bit of business will left to U.S. muscle.
The French have found themselves in a win win situation. No matter how you examine current conditions and positions, President Obama appears to have the weakest hand to play and hence, has the least to gain of anybody in this deadly game.
The Russians are making a move in Egypt while currying favor with the Iranians and the Syrians. The Chinese are doing deals with everyone from the Afghans to the Iraqis, while solidifying relationships with virtually anybody in need of foreign investment. And when your talking about Africa, your talking about Chinese business interest penetrating the entire continent. Like the French and Russians, China only has an up side.
With President Obama severely hamstrung by a Congress more loyal to Israel, while his administration remain thoroughly preoccupied with a heated domestic battle over healthcare, others are taking advantage of America's completely porous, compromised and discombobulated political process.
Bottom line: Barack Obama has been reduced to a lame duck swimming with the sharks.
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