Leading, On The World Stage

"You are the first class to graduate since 9/11 who may not be sent into combat in Iraq or Afghanistan."
"Just because we have the best hammer does not mean that every problem is a nail. And because the costs associated with military action are so high, you should expect every civilian leader and especially your commander-in-chief -- to be clear about how that awesome power should be used."
"As frustrating as it is, there are no easy answers, no military solutions that can eliminate the terrible suffering [international conflicts] anytime soon."
U.S. President Barack Obama, West Point Military Academy 2014 graduation ceremony

Was there ever before a president of the great United States of America who so relished referring to himself so constantly as "your Commander in Chief"? In that pondering, professorial, lecturing voice?

Obama arrives at West Point. Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

"In helping those who fight for the right of all Syrians to choose their own future, we also push back against the growing number of extremists who find safe haven in the chaos."

As for Syria and American non-involvement in the mass butchery of the Syrian regime, well, chemical weapons are being (eventually) removed and destroyed (eventually).

Citing efforts to rally European support for sanctions against Russia after the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, President Obama claims Russia is isolated, while his critics scoff, pointing to his inability to stop Vladimir Putin from proceeding to take the peninsula to begin with as a failure of resolve and capability.

Interestingly enough, Exxon Mobil Corp. extended its partnership with Russia's OAO Rosneft this month. It has seen no requirement to alter its business in Russia despite Ukraine-related sanctions claiming such steps typically are ineffective. "We don't find them to be effective unless they are very well implemented", said chief executive Rex Tillerson during a shareholders meeting Wednesday in Dallas

Exxon, you see, is among U.S. oil producers ignoring U.S. State Department recommendations to skip an energy forum in St. Petersburg last week, extending a pact with Rosneft involving drilling for crude both in the Arctic and Siberia. This, while the U.S. and European nations have imposed sanctions for the quite express purpose of punishing Vladimir Putin's regime for his Ukrainian interference and aggression.

And while in Canada an independent pharmaceuticals tycoon spearheads an international movement to boycott the products of major sponsors like Budweiser and Anheuser-BuschInBev, to help implement a move away from Russia of the 32018 World Cup. "[Putin] has no right to have that. It goes against every possible theme of soccer and the World Cup and what it's supposed to stand for", said Eugene Melnyk, chairman of the Campaign Advisory Committee for United with Ukraine.

Coming a day after outlining his plans to wind down the country's involvement in Afghanistan by the end of 2016, President Obama was delighted to inform the military graduates that they, unlike previous graduates, will not be likely to be posted abroad to fight in foreign war theatres. He took time to praise ongoing diplomatic efforts between Iran, the U.S. and other negotiating partners making up the G5+1.

Accomplishments? Zip. President Obama agreed the odds of reaching an agreement appear remote. However, a diplomatic breakthrough would be "more effective and durable than what would be achieved through the use of force". Does this man really know his adversary? "Throughout these negotiations, it has been our willingness to work through multilateral channels that kept the world on our side", he self-congratulated.

U.S. President Barack Obama and the superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, Lieut.-Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., take the pledge of allegiance at the start of the West Point Military Academy 2014 graduation ceremony in Highland Falls, N.Y., on Wednesday. EPA/Peter Foley Org

However, America would continue to use military force on its own "when our core interests demand it -- when our people are threatened, when our livelihood is at stake, or when the security of our allies is in danger". He does, it should be iterated and reiterated, prefer acting as part of an international coalition rather than pressing on alone.

No sign of weakness as his detractors claim; it highlights the ability of the U.S. to lead on the world stage.