David Webb: The US is playing politics while Putin is waging war

History rarely remembers or holds accountable the leaders of nations prior to the ones who engage in war. President Obama and his administration are aware of this. Judged by his actions, it seems one of Obama’s main goals is to exit his presidency without a new and wider-reaching conflict in the Middle East while at the same time being able to claim, as he did with Iraq and Afghanistan, that he ended wars started under his predecessor, George W. Bush. 

Wars and geopolitical events do not pause for any president or any world leader, however, regardless of the political narrative. No war is ever been won by a politician — first it is won by soldiers, then comes policy, after the enemy has been largely subdued. 

{mosads}The Obama approach is to withdraw and, as he claims, to win with a coalition of nations. This begs the question, what coalition? Which nations are involved in the effort against radical groups across the Middle East and globally, from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria to Jabhat al-Nusra to the remnants of al Qaeda and others? The United States makes up the lion’s share of NATO resources in warfighters and machinery.

In Congress we have hawks, doves and non-interventionists. Typically the majority of the hawks are Republicans and the doves Democrats. Now we see a mixture of both, even though largely the hawks still are Republicans. The GOP, for its part, has hammered Obama and the Democrats’ strategy. But political bravery, more in the lines of bombastic statements, is doing very little to advance the situation. 

The GOP presidential candidates have also weighed in on the Middle East issues. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson takes the approach of best and worst scenario and tries to nuance what falls in-between. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush takes the peace-through-strength approach: We are the strongest country in the world and need to start acting like it. 

Businesswoman Carly Fiorina says we should make it clear to Russia that it will not become the dominant outside power in the Middle East. Businessman Donald Trump takes a more Sun Tzu-like approach, saying we cannot identify the good guys or the bad guys and that we should let them fight it out and deplete their own resources. 

If one looks for a consistent position from the Democrats, there isn’t one to be found. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wants no part of the Middle East conflict. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is more hawkish than Barack Obama — for now — has to run to her left to defend against Sanders and therefore stands closer to Obama’s policy position. 

The refugee crisis flowing into Europe puts a human face on this issue but offers up the possibility for an incredible security risk to all who take in refugees. Fact is, there is no return plan for these refugees — there is nothing for them to return to. We have to solve the foundation issue of Syrian stability, but that is years away.

Mitt Romney was correct that Russia is the biggest “geopolitical” threat to the U.S. — should Iran become a nuclear military power, this will shift dangerously. And in an ill-conceived rush to get a nuclear deal with Iran, the world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terrorism, the Obama administration has put itself in the position of less leverage with our allies and our opponents in the Middle East. 

This is not about supporting Vladimir Putin but recognizing from him, his allies and his enemies perspectives on the Middle East, Europe and globally. They see where America has left a vacuum when it comes to leadership and physical presence a weakness. Russia has stepped up its geopolitical game and demonstrated its ability and willingness to back an ally, which then resonates as strength across the Middle East. We can apply the same to Europe and other spheres of influence. 

In order to achieve his vision, Putin must become an economic power through energy. It is simply his most likely path to support his imperialistic ventures and to keep Russia afloat at home by focusing outward. His client states of Syria, Iran and likely Iraq will help him strengthen that position. 

Putin plays war out of political necessity and economic need. It’s his path to resurgence. The world must either stare down the bear or blink. 

Webb is host of “The David Webb Show” on SiriusXM Patriot 125, a Fox News contributor and has appeared frequently on television as a commentator. Webb co-founded TeaParty365 in New York City and is a spokesman for the National Tea Party Federation. His column appears twice a month in The Hill.