The professor of international relations and politics at Carnegie Mellon University and Romney campaign advisor pens an op-ed for Foreign Policy magazine: "Look at relations with Russia. The
president began this policy by making unilateral concessions to our former Cold
War adversary on missile defense, undercutting some of our East European
allies -- notably, Poland and the Czech Republic -- along the way. He signed an arms
control agreement with Moscow that called for cuts in U.S. strategic forces
while leaving Russia with a ceiling for the same weapons above what it possessed
at the time. None of these overtures and policies accomplished what President
Obama hoped. In return, Russia continued to vote against us on critical
resolutions at the United Nations, while hurling contemptuous words in our
direction."
She continues her commentary: "Not only has China continued its predatory economic policies
involving currency manipulation, the theft of intellectual property, and
cyber-piracy, but it has begun to behave far more aggressively in its own
neighborhood. The Obama administration was itself forced to recognize that its
policy failed when it announced the 'pivot' of U.S. forces to Asia. Should the
United States pivot to Asia while key parts of the Middle East are up in
flames? Furthermore, what signal is being sent to China by the Obama
administration's advocacy of radical cuts in defense spending? Relabeling the pivot as the Asia 'rebalance'
misses the point."
More commentary from Dr. Skinner, about her presidential choice: "Indeed, if one looks across the map of the broader Middle East, one can
see
that America's standing in the region has fallen precipitously over the
past
four years. It is obvious that not all of the setbacks can be laid at
the president's doorstep. But the administration has been at the mercy
of events,
watching from the sidelines as tens of thousands of civilians are dying
in Syria
even as Iran delivers weapons to its client in Damascus using Iraqi
airspace.
Relations with Egypt remain fraught with confusion and distrust, and
Israel has
mounting worries about the future of all of its neighbors, not to
mention Iran.
This is truly a dangerous time and the Obama administration seems sadly
absent
from the scene."
Booker Rising response: While Dr. Skinner makes some very valid points, this isn't a "why I support Mitt Romney" op-ed. Rather, this is a "why I oppose Barack Obama" op-ed. I was disappointed to not find arguments from a Romney advisor as to how Romney's approach would be better.
Kiron Skinner Op-Ed: Why I Support Mitt Romney
