In what might be termed as a policy shift in the ‘outlook’ of President Bush towards Iraq, Iran and North Korea, leaving few Republicans go red-faced while bringing smiles to Democrats. Firstly, for the first time after the Iraq fiasco, he agreed to set a ‘time horizon’ for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Secondly, he had gone to the extent of terming Iran and North Korea to be part of an ‘axis of evil.’ Surprisingly, he authorized Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to join North Korean diplomats at six-party talks about ending that country’s nuclear weapons program.Lastly,Bush sent his first high-level emissary to sit down with Iran.
All these above moves are clear indication of a military and diplomatic policies which had long been vouched by the Presidential nominee, Barack Obama. Eyebrows are being raised and many uncomfortable questions have already started filling the air. Some former administration officials believe Bush’s change in the stance proves he succumbed to tactics put forward by Condoleezza Rice and her supporters.
The wind of change was best described by a former United Nations ambassador for Bush, John Bolton, who has of late become one of the fierce critics of Bush. He said:
Once the collapse begins, adversaries have a real opportunity to gain advantage. In terms of the Bush presidency, this many reversals this close to the end destroys credibility.
Source: Boston
