Can't Spell NATO Without NO: Obama's Troop Request Denied

HuffPo reports that the US' NATO allies have spurned a request from President Obama for more troops in Afghanistan:

STRASBOURG, France - President Barack Obama hailed "strong and unanimous support" from NATO allies on Saturday for his stepped-up anti-terror strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan and welcomed their "down payment" promises of 5,000 fresh forces.

The allies rebuffed U.S. appeals for more combat forces to join the war, but the backing Obama did gain at a European summit allowed him to claim an early victory on the world's foreign policy stage.

The President downplayed this aspect of the meeting, noting the progress that was made. His characterization of the 5,000 troops as a "down payment" seems to be a signal to the Allies that US expectations have not changed.

I expect many Americans, right, left, and center, will be enraged by European reticence to pitch in. After all, this was the war that we all agreed about. Was their opposition to the Iraq War sincere, or merely a fig leaf for naked self-interest?

Still, for those inclined to see this as a failure, I offer this:Barack Obama's modus operandi is that of the wise man who builds his house upon the rock. He's patient, willing to allow a strong consensus to build, rather than to force a weak agreement. France and Germany are mulling this request over, and while they ruminate, their respective peoples will have a chance to weigh in on the notion that Afghan/Pakistan-based terrorists aren't such a threat to Europe.

If public opinion doesn't force them to step up, the President can then apply, more effectively, the pressure that might have been wasted at this early stage.

Here at home, I would urge those who seek to undercut the President that their outrage would be more productively aimed at those shamefully reticent countries, rather than at Barack Obama. International perception that the US is divided in its support for the President on this issue will certainly weaken America's ability to pressure their support.

You can see what this story looked like in my head, before I niced it up, by clicking here.

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