Putin Calls Obama's Bluff

President Obama was outplayed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.  President Obama has made many missteps in his presidency.  Mostly it has been Obama’s words that have caused the biggest headaches for his administration. 

Putin, a former KGB agent, is a master at highlighting and taking advantage of his adversaries’ weaknesses.  There is no doubt that Putin was licking his lips when Obama made the famous “Red Line” comment about Syria on August 20, 2012. 

Putin knew that Obama would not act on his treats of military action because it would be political suicide in a nation that is skeptical of war.  Obama was relying on the threat of military action to deter Syria, but it failed last month when Syria finally used chemical weapons against its own people.   Obama never had a plan of military action and Putin knew this.  Putin’s has made Obama seem like a bully who only wants to fight and ignore peaceful options.  Obama needs to learn not to give ultimatums if he is not ready and willing to act on them.  But this is not the first time Obama’s words have come back to bite him.

On July 22, 2009 shortly after taking office, Obama criticized a Cambridge police officer (James Crowley) for arresting his friend (Professor Henry Louis Gates).  Obama should have learned that as the President of the United State his words are powerful and influential.  His words and speeches need to be crafted in a way that considers possible outcomes and consequences.  Being the leader of the free world is not easy.  Being a good leader of the free world is even harder. 

Putin has used Obama’s missteps as an opportunity to propel his image and Russia’s image as a better alternative to the US strategy on international politics.  This is a win for Putin and Russia. 

Putin and Russia managed to come out of this situation smelling like a rose while Obama came out smelling like something entirely different!  Obama may be in his second term as President of the United States but he still has a lot to learn about politics!

What do you think?  Did Obama make a big mistake?