US President Barack Obama’s latest decisions on Israel’s illegal settlements, and also against Russia for “meddling” in the US elections, may have come as a surprise to many. The fact is, however, that the president had crossed his own “red lines” in deciding not to act when the global situation so demanded.
Syria is a case in point and it has been reduced to a mess which is the result of his own follies for not resorting to military action — which he had promised once, as he himself said, when Assad crossed the “red line.” Assad crossed many red lines, and ultimately with the help of Russia, he created the worst humanitarian crisis world history has every recorded. No fewer than 3.5 million people were killed and about half-a-million more were displaced.
Hence, the timing of his late action/decisions in regards to Palestine and Russian interference in internal matters will always be up for questions.
In few days, Obama is set to have a significant meeting with lawmakers, in addition to a major valedictory speech that he will deliver in Chicago.
It may be his last attempt to save his signature health care law, but I am sure he will also touch upon the matter of saving the country from outside forces that have been buoyed by President-elect Donald Trump, who has on more than one occasion indicated that he will act to undo many of Obama’s decisions.
Had the outgoing president acted on these matters and also on issues such as those of Syria, the world would have bid adieu to 2016 on a better note.
— Mumshad Akhtar, New Delhi
Obama’s red lines
