Yet the Russians, despite our president's best efforts to surrender ground to them, seem peeved at us, as their foreign minister Lavrov expressed:
Lavrov said U.S. ambassador Michael McFaul had "arrogantly" rejected Russia's concerns about U.S. plans for a European missile shield in a recent interview with state-run RIA news agency, according to RIA and other Russian media.
"Yesterday our colleague, the U.S. ambassador, arrogantly announced there will be no changes on missile defense, even though it would seem that an ambassador ... should understand it is necessary to take the interests of the state in question into account," RIA quoted Lavrov as telling students in Azerbaijan.
Good for McFaul. The Russians hinder our efforts to de-rail Iran's nuclear plans and our efforts to defend against Iran's future nuclear missiles. How "reset" is that? McFaul didn't provide a "kiss my ass" moment, but it will do--until President Obama can surrender it away for a photo-op with Putin, of course. Ambassador McFaul? Meet bus. Bus? Mr. McFaul.
This is just one more outreach to foes, enemies, or annoying losers that has come up empty.
Add to this record of failure our alienation of Canada and Mexico (tip to Instapundit):
Most summits are mush-mouthed affairs full of pleasantries. Tuesday's "Three Amigos" summit was different: a litany of how President Obama has alienated our neighbors.
You wouldn't know this from reading the mainstream media, which reported the disastrous summit with anodyne headlines like: "Obama talks trade, energy with Canada, Mexico leaders at Summit" (Associated Press) and "Obama, Mexico's Calderon vow more drug crime cooperation" (Reuters).
Obama's neglect of our nearest neighbors and biggest trade partners has created deteriorating relations, a sign of a president who's out of touch with reality. Problems are emerging that aren't being reported.
I'm confused. Is this the "smart" part of our new, post-Bush diplomacy or the nuanced part?
Perhaps I'm just confused and the goal all along in the Obama administration has been to restore our reputation abroad all the way back to the Jimmy Carter era when contempt for our power and loyalty to allies was high.
