General Zinni Gets Undiplomatic Treatment From Obama Team -- Foreign Policy Blog/The Cable
When retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni told the Washington Times that he was offered the job of U.S. ambassador to Iraq before being passed over in favor of diplomat Christopher Hill, he did not say that one of the outrages of the experience was that his friend of 30 years, fellow former Marine Corps commandant and now national security advisor James L. Jones, had offered him the job, and then failed to tell him when the decision was changed.
"Jones had called me before the inauguration and asked if I would be willing to serve as ambassador to Iraq or in one of the envoy jobs, on the Middle East peace process," Zinni told Foreign Policy. "I said yes."
"Then two weeks ago, Jones called," Zinni continued, "and said, ‘We talked to the secretary of state, and everybody would like to offer you the Iraq job.' I said yes.
"The [vice]* president called and congratulated me," Zinni said.
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My Comment: The treatment of retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni is just a symbol of a bigger problem that many countries are now perceiving and reacting to.
The perception is that American foreign policy and the people who maintained it for the past eight years are now gone .... and that the new crew can be taken advantage of. We have been able to see this in the following international crisis points:
1) North Korea's cancellation of all treaties with South Korea, and the preparation of a missile test. All party talks are at a standstill
2) The closing of America's Air Force base in Kyrgyzstan, even though commitments and promises were made last year to keep it open.
3) Afghanistan's President Karzai openly seeking ties with Russia and other countries, and condemning U.S. and NATO policies in his own country.
4) Iran openly saying that America is now weak. Reports that Iran's nuclear plant will be operational at the end of this year is increasing worries among Arabs in the region .... more so since U.S. determination to stop this has all but evaporated.
5) China warns against any U.S. protectionist measures. EU has followed suit. America buckles in return.
6) Israel is troubled by the new administrations positions on the Israeli - Palestinian conflict. President Obama first called Abbas of the Palestinian Authority .... not Israel .... on his first day of being in office has created a perception of bias.
7) Postponing the establishment of a promised missile defense installation in Eastern Europe .... after Poland and Czech Republic had agreed to it.
Vice President Biden mentioned during the election campaign that President Obama was going to be tested in the first six months of being office. It appears that this "testing" is occurring in the first two weeks, and like sharks who can sense blood in the water, many are now watching and taking advantage of this void in American leadership.
Update #1: Uh Oh: Obama Not In Charge -- Riehl World View
Update #2: Some Speculation on Zinni -- Western Standard