We have Nuland. Why do we need Obama?

Victoria Nuland is the politically appointed spokeswoman for the State Department.  She is the daughter of Sherwin Nuland a bioethics professor.  She is married to Robert Kagan, the neocon historian.  Kagan was, of course, a mainstay of the Bush Administration's "crusade" to make the ME safe for....  It may seem strange to some this woman would have been appointed to be the State department's spokesperson in the Obama Administration.  Such a doubt would betray the questioner's lack of understanding of the limits of personnel availablity in the United States.

In case there is any doubt, Hillary Clinton and therefore Victoria Nuland work for Barack Obama.  His policy is the State Department's policy and therefor their policy He can fire either or both at any time.  The US is not a parliamentary democracy like the "sprigs" of the old British Empire; Canada, the UK, etc.  The president is not "one of the guys"  in the cabinet.  He is not "first among equals."  He is THE BOSS in the Executive Branch. 

The other night he chose to say that "Egypt is not an ally."  The most challenged should be able to see that this is simple truth.  See my earlier post.  In any event, his word must be "law" for the State Department.

The following day Nuland chose to tell the media that Egypt IS effectively a US ally.  Now, perhaps the NSC told the State Department to say that.  If they did, then I have no problem with her statement.

There appears to be a pattern of friends of Israel arguing for a lenient attitude toward Egypt.  Can that be because they want Egypt kept in the treaty with Israel.

Who told Nuland to correct the president?  pl

Comments

[b]

The correction from State came because, technically, Obama was simply wrong and being wrong opens him up to political attacks by Romney and would have had other foreign policy side effects.

Congress in 1989 designated Egypt a "major non-NATO ally". There are several other countries with such a designation. To simple then reject that for Egypt pretty much out of the blue, as Obama did, would have, uncorrected, let those other states question the value of such a designation.

[mbrenner]

We'll never know - too embarrassing either way. if Hillary/Nuland acted on their own, they're open to charges of disloyalty. If Obama changed his mind and instructed them, he's open to charges of flipping and caving in to pressure.

By the way, we all have noticed that the spokesperson for most government agencies, businesses, NGOs, or candidates are women. I guess they are supposed to have a softer, empathetic touch. The real reason, i suspect, is that their bosses calculate they will be spared cross-examination. Progress on the gender front.

[John]

While the President's statement was true given Egypt's currently unsettled transition to who knows what, perhaps this was only a back door way to walk back his original statement - possibly with his approval - to something shall we say, more "diplomatic?"

[turcopolier]

mbrenner

You civilians seem always to talk of disloyalty to some politician. This was a matter of insubordination and a usurpation of authority if State was not instructed to make such a statement. MNNA status enables the US to give its property and knowledge to another coutry. It does not require us to defend them or them, us. Afghanistan is in the same status. pl

[mbrenner]

Insubordination is surely the correct word whose meaning I had intended.

On drones over Benghazi: could some one explain what conceivable purpose they serve in a situation like this. I recall that in Iraq immediately after a bombing, American helicopters hovered over the site. Were they photographing or hoping that the perp always returns to the scene of his crime? Or is this some sort of voyeuristic ambulance chasing?

[turcopolier]

mbrenner

The drones are a futile gesture, but indicative of a commitment to pursue the dastards. pl

[Walrus]

Perhaps someone Quietly suggested to President Obama that American warships might like to continue to avail themselves of the Suez Canal?

[The beaver]

Most probably they are hoping to see if there is any traffic in and around Derna where radical Islamist figures ( and Al-Qaida ) have been setting up shop.

[turcopolier]

Walrus

Nah. What would they stop us with, a mob? There IS a treaty about international access. It would justify our action. pl

[petrous]

Thank you for stating the obvious ever so clearly ! Indeed the most challenged should see that today's Egypt is not yesterday's nearly unconditional ally. Alas, one thing is "should" and another is a myopic "won't".

[turcopolier]

petrous

they were always an over-rated and too expensive MNNA. Their change in attitude reduces their value even more. Mursi is a clown. the comedy of his Arabic tweets to the mob is indicative of the quality of his thinking. If it were up to me I wouldn't give the Egyptians a nickel for a couple of years. Let them live on Swedish tourism for a while. Even Romney gets it right occasionally. He is "blind squirrel" seeking the promised valley. pl

[DH]

From the short video clip I saw, she finally admitted it under extended pressure. Fine acting if she was following Neocon orders.

[turcopolier]

DH

I watched that. She knew exactly how thin the ice was. Why would pressure be needed if she was following orders from the WH to walk it back after the message was delivered. pl

[The Twisted Genius]

b has this right. Egypt is designated a major non-NATO ally (MNNA) along with such countries as Israel, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The designation has everything to do with facilitating the transfer of military and financial aid and avoiding certain arms export restrictions. It has nothing to do with mutual defense agreements. The MNNA is a congressionally passed statute. The President can designate an MNNA 30 days after informing Congress. I have no idea how the MNNA designation is removed.

Nuland is technically correct, but Obama's statement was more accurate in the more commonly accepted meaning of the term ally. I'm glad he said it. I think the message was delivered.

[jonst]

I assume Clinton told her. So, who told Clinton? Or did the Queen feel she did not have to get permission? But as for the limits of personal available to be selected...I would pick the first 20 people graduating from Master in Communication or Marketing, interview them, and select one, before I would go near anything or anyone connected to the Kagans et al. That had to be intentional.

[turcopolier]

TTG

b is merely right on the details. MNNA means little. The AIPAC crowd put the rod "ally" in the title of the law so that the ycould use it later. We owe Egypt nothing. We owe Israel nothing. pl

[turcopolier]

jonst. Now if Clinton did that on her own... How many days remain? pl

[fred]

That designation is surely not a treaty of alliance ratified by the senate as required by the constitution?

[turcopolier]

fred

It is not. pl

[confusedponderer]

Apropos ... this is what I remember when I hear that name - Nuland defending why it is a brilliant idea to cut funds to UNESCO.

http://smpalestine.com/2011/10/31/reporter-stumps-state-department-spokeswoman-on-us-cutting-funds-to-unesco-video-and-full-transcript/

Priceless.

[The Twisted Genius]

You're right. The designation ought to be changed from MNNA to MHR - Major Handout Recipient. That would be more accurate.

[DH]

Yes, why the tension if she were under orders to set the record straight? Are you intimating a nefarious plot by Hilldog or the Neocons?

[turcopolier]

DH

I ask questions. Do you have answers? pl

[confusedponderer]

Sorry, dead link. This one works:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2xEynavQ5M&feature=related

[Gorgon Stared]

Hasn't Clinton already said she would leave in the 2nd term?