There is something profoundly stupid about Nancy Pelosi’s antics in Syria. If there is one undisputed fact of American Constitutional structure, it is that the President is in charge of foreign affairs. This lack of a strong executive and the prospect of independent state foreign policies was one of the major improvements of the federal constitution over the Articles of Confederation.
Foreign policy is a delicate thing. Often one goal must be balanced with another; never is this more apparent than in the Middle East. It’s important that lesser officials, American states, and other entities do not create mixed signals to foreign powers. Even Syrians were alternately confused and contemptuous of the obvious domestic subtext to Pelosi’s visit.
Bill Clinton, to his credit, has not undermined Bush significantly on foreign policy and, like probably every President, learned how it is a difficult and delicate affair rightfully entrusted to one official, empowered to backup his words with actions. Bush is floundering with respect to Iran and Syria, there is no doubt. But Pelosi’s visit and her promiscuous use of language–including a suggested peace overture later denied by Israel’s Olmert–not only did not help America’s image or the goal of a rapproachment with Syria, but instead portrayed the US as a country so divided internally that basic respect for the President in foreign affairs no longer applies.
Pelosi and her entourage’s actions are at once ineffective, immature, and irresponsible. They serve no useful purpose. The likely consequence, though, is to create further incentives for foreign potentates to try to influence American policy by appealing to the weak underbelly, the Congress. Hopefully, Americans will realize will these types of stunts are counterproductive and simply make us look weak and decadent.
Subscribe To This Feed
