As if Buenos Aires needed more encouragement to rattle sabers, the Obama administration provided it on January 20, when a State Department official was asked about the Falklands dispute. “This is a bilateral issue that needs to be worked out directly between the governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom,” the official said. “We encourage both parties to resolve their differences through dialogue in normal diplomatic channels. We recognize de facto United Kingdom administration of the islands but take no position regarding sovereignty.”
From a British perspective, these comments were deeply disappointing, but not altogether surprising, given Obama’s history on the issue. From an Argentine perspective, the comments represented a major diplomatic triumph.
More reasons that no British prime minister is again going to gaze on President Obama with a puppy dog look of love.
Yeah, President Obama is restoring our reputation abroad, alright--restoring it to Jimmy Carter levels of fear (by our allies of being abandoned) and contempt (by our foes who believe we will always retreat).
