Certainly Kerry’s era has been good for Putin. The Russian leader has astutely perceived a power vacuum on the international stage and realized that no one would oppose him if he decided to, say, annex the Crimea region of Ukraine. So, under the guise of a Soviet-style plebiscite, he did just that. Now he’s supporting armed, pro-Russian irregulars in Eastern Ukraine and elsewhere. According to National Journal, the ultimatum-enamored Kerry ordered Putin & Co. to back off their most recent Ukrainian adventure in a matter of “hours.”
That was last week.Let’s just say Putin didn’t get the message. He was too busy rushing military assistance to Iraq, where American influence is rapidly dwindling.
That was around the time that Kerry sternly warned Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi not to throw three Al Jazeera journalists in jail, ostensibly for “spreading false news” in Egypt. Shortly after Kerry’s jet departed Egyptian air space, the trio were sentenced to years in prison.
There was a time when Egyptian dictators cleaved more closely to the American party line. That time is past. Kerry speaks; no one listens.
None of this is really John Kerry’s fault, which is why I pity him.
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