Walk Softly, Carry A Big Stick

A favourite aphorism of U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt; though he referred to speaking softly while carrying that stick, the sentiment appears to be one also favoured by U.S. presidential hopeful Republican Mitt Romney.  Whose "peace through strength" mantra is a reflection of the need for background strength to uphold a quietly reasonable approach.  For without that promise of action to back up the reason, listeners to whom the speech is directed may have difficulty hearing.

William Allen Rogers's 1904 cartoon 

 

According to President Barack Obama who spoke softly in Cairo in 2009 to the Muslim world, his quiet assurances of collegiality and co-operation succeeded in paving the way for a new understanding of mutual respect between the United States and its interests, and the Muslim world and its intentions.  The success that he seems to envision having occurred, appears to have escaped the notice of all onlookers with the exception of his devoted followers.

As for the force to back up his words, should force ever, heaven forfend, become actually required through duress, he plans on drone action primarily.  See, Ma?  No hands!  President Obama's future U.S. military is less boots-on-the-ground-intensive, a light, swift and nimble force.  Terrorism to be dealt with at a human remove; automated, electronically directed, so that all the fatalities will be on the side of the villains, remotely detected, remotely struck down.

Special Forces like the fabled SEALs, and UAVs are all that is required to deal with America's greatest threat of terrorism.  And he's the man to do it all.  After all, it was his initiative and none other that dispatched Osama bin Laden, and if that wasn't a message to Terror International, what then was it?  No need to go to war, to prosecute foreign conflict, and he followed through on his promises to end the U.S. military presence in Iraq and set a withdrawal date for Afghanistan.

BAQWA, AFGHANISTAN - MARCH 21: U.S. Marine Sgt. Nicholas Bender launches a Raven surveillance drone from Marine base perimeter on March 21, 2009 near the remote village of Baqwa, Afghanistan. Marines from the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment use the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to get real time intelligence on Taliban movements. The Marines are operating in Farah Province of southwest Afghanistan and are seeing a spike in Taliban attacks against American forces with the onset of the spring "fighting season." (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

For which the Taliban is grateful, since forewarned is forearmed.  And what has the U.S. left in Iraq? An open invitation to Iran to spread its influence.  Of questionable value to America and inestimable value to Iran.  Iran being, of course, the foremost influencer and supporter of terrorism, but why quibble over details, as presidential contender Mitt Romney is doing in his quest to point out faults in the Democratic workplan on American security?

Who so very inconveniently lingers on the administration's failure to encourage secular aspirations during the Arab Spring uprisings and the Iranian post-presidential-election protests, leaving the way wide open for fundamentalist Islamism to gain the upper hand and spread with grim abandon.  And, of course, it is not only Islamism that is gaining a grip, but also, unfortunately nuclear arms intentions, with Iran on the cusp and fearful Sunni nations considering their options.

President Obama contends that his administration stands four-square and resolutely with Israel, avuncularly supportive and coolly instructing the Jewish state to abridge its impetuous desire to strike for the iron is not yet hot enough.  Governor Romney's "peace through strength" envisions a different style and extent of standing alongside allies like Israel.  He also sees strengthening America's naval resources, increasing military spending, aspiring to firmly undeniable action.

His country's enemies need to know that America is more, much more than bellicosity in response to threats.  For behind the "bring it on" attitude is the determination to have those enemies know that a strike at U.S. interests is a guarantee of a response so merciless that any who might consider launching a death-hand must be prepared to receive it lobbed back at superior-strength speed for which there are no saving exits.

Bated breath is becoming ever more breathless in expectation of the resulting decision by American voters anxious to view reality behind the spin, but understandably confused about what reality represents.