In general I refrain from writing about the politics and issues of the Middle East.  It is not they they are unimportant; it is that the issues are so deep-rooted, I do not expect any significant change from the current norm in my lifetime.  Occasionally the names change, or the country of focus changes, but it is religious hatred at it’s worst, and political leaders at their worst.  Matt Damon’s character in the movie Syriana had it correct.  Speaking to a junior political leader of one of the Emirates…..”You know what the business community thinks of you? They think that a hundred years ago you were living in tents out here in the desert chopping each other’s heads off and that’s where you’ll be in another hundred years, so, yes, on behalf of my firm I accept your money.”

I write about it today because Obama has once again lost face in front of the globe.  Just like when he toured the world and seemingly apologized to the world with speeches in Europe and Asia, just like when Russia offered Edward Snowden asylum, he now announces plans to take action against Syria, only to back off those plans.  In the meantime Russia’s Putin publicly stated he would not allow for Obama to take his actions, and he is driving the agenda in Syria.