The Obama Doctrine? More Like Year of the Four Emperors

69 ACE, Year of the Four Emperors, or President Obama's Foreign Policy 2009- Present

  What is the Obama Doctrine?

Can it be quantified?

Can it be debated like the Bush fils Doctrine (which was FDR's and Wilson's -- both Democratic Presidents, funny that)?

2014:

Ukraine in flames

Venezuela on Fire

Or can we finally say, with the world burning, that President Obama's worldview is a failure?

2009:

Iran, 2009

Watch the Fires.....

Nero to Galba:  Democrats and Senator, then President Obama -- Anti-Bush and not much else.

After 9/11, President Bush and the Republicans on the Hill staked their belief on an old Democratic Party policy:   America believes no person should live under the yolk of Freedom, not the whims of a Dictator.  That was what FDR, Truman, JFK and LBJ believed.  The current crop of Liberals and Democrats opposed President Bush throughout his whole term.

Because the partisans acted crude upon the transfer of power, it begat the opposition conference later that night.

Nero

The Year of Four Emperors began in flames. Nero burning Rome and his subsequent suicide.  For the first time since the rise of Augustus, there was a power vacuum.  Rome, looking for a champion, found Galba.  He had put down an anti-tax riot in Germany.  The Praetorian Guard, as Nero fell, supported Galba. 

Galba entered the Eternal City to cheers on January 1. 

From the moment Democrats took over the Capitol, hatred of Republicans and Bush colored their policies. (i.e. House votes on Obamacare; Senate Votes on Obamacare)  

The Praetorian Guard (the media) and the Democrats hailed President Obama and never asked an important question before inauguration day:

President Obama, What is your foreign policy?

Galba to Otho: The Arab Spring and the Missed Chance

Galba

On the way to Rome, Galba took from the towns near the Eternal City.  Being known as someone who stopped an pro-tax General, he took from the people he needed support from.  The troops under him were not brought into positions of power and some reforms were taken away from the public.

 By January 15, Galba was killed by the Praetorian Guard.  Enter Otho.

And Otho's rise started a trend that ended around 293 (the Year of the SIX Emperors): Bribing the Praetorian Guards.

After the rise of the Tea Party and the loss of the House in Election 2010, President Obama  used the IRS to intimidate the opposition (Democrats opposed using the IRS for political use in 1973, not anymore).  Overseas, the Arab Spring erupted.

Iran and Egypt called for freedom. What did President Obama do?

Say sweet nothings about nothing.

In Egypt and Iran, the Arab Spring shifted to an Arab winter as the protesters were killed.

Democrats gave up standing for people under the thumbs of Dictators; Modern Democrats work with Dictators. FDR rolls over in his grave. 

****Side Note: President Obama went to war without UN or Congressional authorization in Libya to depose Gaddafi. It worked, but the side effects were worse then the cure.  See next chapter.

Otho to Vitellius: Dead Ambassadors and Putin playing Chess over Syria

Otho

Otho's power was limited to the army and the Praetorian Guard.

Otho understand the mechanics of  overthrowing an Emperor, just not understanding the mathematics of Ruling. The people and the Senate were already missing the (somewhat) stable Julio-Claudians.   Galba left a Chief of Staff in charge in Germany by the name of Vitellius.

Vitellius and his veteran troops were advancing on Rome. Otho offered a few peace agreements but with the weapons of support of the military behind him,  Vitellius ignored them.

In March, outside of the town of Cremona, Italy, both men fought. Vitellius won and Otho, following suit, committed suicide.

April 16th, 69 ACE,  Vitellius entered Rome in Triumph.

In 2012, President Obama was cruising to re-election.  He ignored the multiple embassy attacks (on the anniversary of 9/11!)

What is galling to us on the Right, if the Democratic policy is more diplomacy, why the jokes about Benghazi? Very few American Ambassadors died in her history, but Democrats don't care.

And of course, Syria.

Obama drew a line in the sand against Assad, then allowed Putin to save Assad.  Thus, the word of President Obama and the Democrats in foreign policy meant nothing.  

Vitellius to Vespasian: Dominoes Fall as Putin Rises

Vitellius

On April 17th, the Roman Senate appoints Vitellius Emperor.  

During his short reign, he expanded the bureaucracy to include knights as well as freedmen.  Also, no Centurion could sell his service to escape the military.

Unfortunately, augurs and debauchery destroyed any goodwill for Vitellius' reign.  When Vitellius took power on the anniversary of the very First Sack of Rome (390 BCE), the Eternal City was concerned.  The partying did not help the Cities coffer's either.

In response, many of the Eastern Armies backed Vespasian. Vespasian was the Roman General during the Judean (Jewish) Wars.  His son, Titus was there at Masada in 71 ACE.  As Rome was without leadership, the military saw this veteran as a way of stabilizing the Empire.

Vespasian held onto the grain in Egypt, cutting Rome off from its supply. The Slavic Legions backed Vespasian as he marched closer to Rome. Supporters of Vespasian battled partisans of Vitellius outside of Cremona, Italy. Guess who won?

As Vespasian entered Rome, his troops found Vitellius hiding;  They [Vespasian's troops] executed Vitellius on the Gemonian stairs.

On December 21, 69 ACE, Vespasian founded the Flavian  dynasty.

President Obama has talked and talked.  But for the nations near Russia's sphere of influence, there are no protective weapons (Poland and Ukraine), and the EU is dependent on Oil from Gazprom.  To President Obama, the Tea Party and Republicans were worse then a foreign power that can attack allies.


When Putin brought the Russian military into the chaos of Ukraine,he knew there was nothing that President Obama could do or would do for American allies.  In foreign policy (and politics in general), if you don't have your Word, you have nothing.  

President Bush might have been flawed, but he protected America's allies by being feared. And also giving his Word and not going back on it.

What President Obama has done is played the role of the Galba, Otho and Vitellius.  He tried hard to protect his own power while the world burns and his Word means nothing.

Our Vespasian: Not until 2016  

Vespasian, winner of 69 ACE

America will not have a calming influence in Foreign Policy until a Republican wins the Oval Office in 2016.  Say what you will about Republican Presidents, the world does not burn when they are in office.  As the last Empire (as it were), America is supposed to control the lighter. 

Now?  We are still in the summer of 69 ACE. 

And remember, if Secratery Clinton and Democrats don't care about the lives of Ambassadors or Intellegence Agents, maybe they should not be put forward.  

My question: Is President Obama Galba, Otho or Vitellius? 

***BCE: Before Common Era
***ACE: After Common Era