Bush: Obama’s ‘schoolyard antics’ endanger US abroad

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) launched a broad attack against President Obama’s foreign policy on Wednesday, calling him “weak and uncertain,” and accusing the White House of endangering the U.S. with its “schoolyard antics.”

In an op-ed in the conservative National Review, Bush declared that the Obama administration “indulges our enemies and attacks our friends,” and leveled attacks against the White House for its approach to the nuclear negotiations with Iran, the Israeli elections, and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

On Iran, Bush joined nearly every Republican on Capitol Hill in decrying the administration’s negotiations with the country over its nuclear program as “foolish.”

“The administration believes Iran will become a responsible partner for peace once it signs up to a deal that largely leaves in place its nuclear infrastructure,” Bush writes. “In a region that is in a near-constant state of conflict — with Iran as a primary instigator — this approach is foolish.”


“Even when presented with evidence of treachery committed by the Iranians, the Obama administration turns the other way,” Bush continues. “Iran was caught cheating on previous agreements related to its nuclear program; Obama officials dismissed the matter, calling it a ‘mistake’ by a low-level employee. Such is the state of the administration’s inability to conduct basic diplomacy: It always believes Iran’s excuses, but never its threats.”



Bush also accused Obama of talking big about stomping out ISIS but said the administration has failed to adequately address the threat posed by the terror group.

Obama has sent legislation authorizing the use of military force against ISIS to Congress, but the framework has stalled as Democrats have balked at the possibility of sending additional U.S. troops into the Middle East.

Bush on Wednesday argued that the White House was standing by while ISIS sent the entire region into turmoil.

“Obama has threatened action but has delivered little support to those fighting against this menace,” Bush wrote. “We are watching helplessly as Yemen – once considered by the Obama administration to be a reliable partner in the war against al-Qaeda and other terror networks — falls into anarchy. And Iraq continues to fall further under Iran’s orbit — a surrender of American influence and an insult to the troops and commanders who sacrificed mightily to stabilize that country.”

Bush also joined nearly all congressional Republicans in blaming the president for the frosty relationship between the U.S. and Israel.

“The rest of the world must wonder what it takes to enrage the White House,” Bush wrote. “Apparently, all you have to do is reelect a leader whom the president doesn’t like.”

The White House was furious with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) for secretly inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress in the heat of the Israeli elections earlier this month. Netanyahu used the platform to rebuke the Obama administration in front of Congress for its strategy on Iran.

Netanyahu easily won reelection. Republicans have criticized Obama for waiting a few days before calling to congratulate him on his victory.

“Instead of recognizing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s reelection and the achievement of Israel’s multi-party, multi-ethnic democracy, the White House issued half-hearted congratulations,” Bush wrote. “Then Obama threatened to downgrade the U.S.-Israel relationship and permit a series of anti-Israel resolutions to pass the United Nations Security Council without firm American opposition.”

Obama on Tuesday described his relationship with Netanyahu as “businesslike.” But the White House has said it will re-evaluate its relationship with Israel since Netanyahu said during his campaign that he would not support the creation of a Palestinian state.

“This is consistent with a pattern of diplomatic scolding of Israel. … The Obama administration anonymously insults Israeli leaders personally and then pretends that such insults were never authorized,” Bush wrote. “This is no way to treat an ally. Conducting the foreign policy of a great nation requires maturity and a strategic sense of America’s long-term interests. This is no time for schoolyard antics.”


 “This policy choice is a reflection of the way Obama has handled a range of foreign-policy matters,” said Bush. “Instead of projecting American determination and leadership, he has either withdrawn from the stage or chosen to trust our enemies.”