That the president’s policies in the Middle East have undermined the country’s standing and stature around the world is hardly controversial, but McClatchy’s Warren Strobel and Nancy Youssef explain a frequently-overlooked complication: by focusing its diplomatic efforts on one region, the administration is starting to neglect other regions.
Two months ago, President Bush enthusiastically accepted an invitation to visit Singapore in September. But he abruptly changed plans, and his summit with Southeast Asian leaders is off. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is skipping an Asian meeting, too, and tossed out plans to visit Africa this week. Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ mission to Latin America? Postponed.
The reason is Iraq.
As the White House struggles to show progress in the 52-month-old war, other important global issues increasingly are getting pushed to the side, according to U.S. officials, diplomats and analysts.
“The United States is very focused on Iraq and the Middle East. We know we are not a white-heat zone … which is good for us. But it means we are not on top of the list,” said Heng Chee Chan, Singapore’s ambassador to the United States.
Walter Lohman, who covers Asian affairs for the conservative Heritage Foundation, noted, “Canceling a meeting here or there may not seem like a big deal, but the slights are piling up.” He added, “Unless the Bush administration can quickly get back on track, the game is over; it will fall to the next president to revitalize the U.S. commitment” to Asia.
And Latin America. And Africa.
Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said outside of Europe, where Bush has made some efforts at engagement, “things don’t look as good,” particularly in countries experiencing far-reaching changes stemming from China’s rise. Kupchan added, “There doesn’t seem to be anybody who’s minding the store at the top level.”
If I only had a nickel for every time I’ve seen that line applied to the White House over the last several years….
