Obama's Syria Speech:A Sign of Strength

No other U.S. president has ever admitted to having doubts when it came down to war and peace. Obama, however, heeds his fellow citizens and allows room for diplomacy.

It was an unusual appearance for the U.S. president on Tuesday evening — unparalleled in history. It was a television address to a war-weary nation, by a president equally tired of war but who does not see an alternative in the event that his diplomacy fails.

People may ask themselves why — in light of everything that has transpired over the last few days — Barack Obama would still want to address the American people. No war is imminent, and Congress will not even vote on authorizing military intervention in the immediate future. It has postponed legislative action.

The reason was a last-minute Russian proposal, asking that Syria turn over its chemical weapons stockpile to international control. Obama responded he wanted to consider the proposal, thereby gaining time and some breathing space. For the time being, the threatened showdown with a skeptical Congress has been averted.

Obama Keeps Up the Pressure

But that is precisely why Obama delivered the speech: He wants to keep up the pressure on Syria. He wanted to address the fears of the American people and make clear to them, and the rest of the world, that the reason Russia and Syria were relenting was because of one factor: America’s resolve to attack Syria’s military infrastructure, should all else fail.

And Obama is probably correct in that belief. Without the threat of military force, it is likely the Russians would not have suggested the collection and ultimate destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal. The Syrians probably would not have even admitted they possessed such weapons, nor would they have agreed to become signatories of the international chemical weapons ban.

It remains to be seen whether the Russians and Syrians keep their promises in the end. There are doubts. It often turns out to be all about gaining time and playing little tactical games. Iraq and Iran are unfortunate examples of that. That is why Obama will continue to press Congress for limited military action authority.

It is entirely possible that congressional authorization for military action may be forthcoming. If Russia and Syria are seen as trying to lead the world around by the nose, if they delay and use blocking maneuvers, Congress will be more prone to following Obama’s lead.

An Unusual War Speech

The president’s speech was notable mainly for one reason: Obama addressed the concerns of his critics. He cited letters expressing worries, and he tried to assuage people’s fears.

No previous U.S. president, commanding the military, has ever done this. Blaring trumpets have always marked war speeches; there has never been any room for doubt.

Many accuse the president of weakness because he seeks congressional approval and because his scruples have always shone through his rhetoric. Truth be told, that is more a sign of strength than weakness.