Japan Institute for National Fundamentals
https://jinf.jp/

Speaking out

Tadae Takubo

【#333(Special)】Obama Responsible for Global Turbulence

Tadae Takubo ／ 2015.10.21 (Wed)


October 19, 2015

　　　　　Japanese have tended to lack a wide perspective in analyzing the international situation since before World War II. This may be the reason Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterates diplomacy taking a panoramic perspective of the globe at every opportunity.
　　　　　I allege that the current troubles in the world today are attributable to U.S. President Barack Obama's failure to act appropriately. The failure has led to a civil war in Syria, which produced Islamic State militants. The weak-kneed Obama administration has limited its actions to the dispatch of military advisers to Iraq and aerial bombing on IS bases as part of the coalition. In a manner to capitalize on such U.S. indecisiveness, Russia has launched military intervention in Syria attacking rebels fighting against President Bashar al-Assad, while claiming attacks on IS militants. Meanwhile in Asia, China has flagrantly altered the status quo in the South and East China Seas, taking advantage of the weak attitude of the Obama administration reluctant to get involved in overseas conflicts.

Russia spreading influences over the Middle East
　　　　　Particularly, Russia started bombing in Syria on September 30 and fired 26 cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea to the Syrian cities of Aleppo and Raqqa some 1,500 kilometers away on October 7. These attacks were effective as a military demonstration impressing the Middle East countries. Even in Iraq that has been believed under U.S.influence, the prime minister has indicated he could request Russia's military intervention to expel IS militants in his country. Iran, which should have improved relations with the United States through the recent nuclear agreement, has supported new Russian military operations and expanded military and economic aid to the Assad government.
　　　　　Russia, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon have formed a solid alliance. Syrian President Assad controls only one-third of Syria and has difficulties in retaining his government without Russian support. Russian President Vladimir Putin who has established strongholds in Tartus and Latakia apparently plans to install a puppet regime in post-Assad Syria.

Europe plagued with inrushing refugees
　　　　　Syrian population totals 23 million including 7.6 million refugees within Syria and 4 million in neighboring countries such as Turkey and Lebanon. The Civil War death toll is estimated at between 200,000 and 250,000. The weakening Assad regime and Russian military intervention have prompted Syrian refugees to rush into Europe, particularly Germany.
　　　　　Germany and other European countries are now required to consider how to address the great migration waves of Syrian refugees in addition to the long-pending immigration problem. They will have to respond to cultural frictions and shoulder massive costs in addressing the refugees which is expected to exert no small adverse impacts on the slumping European economy. The Obama administration that has abandoned the U.S. role as the world’s policeman is enormously responsible for the current troubles in the world.

Tadae Takubo is Vice President, Japan Institute for National Fundamentals.