Another Day -- Time To Change Syria Policy Again! 

There is a wide consensus that Barack Obama made a big mistake in publicly setting a "red line" on the use of chemical weapons in Syria. But once again, Team Obama's verbal gaffes have created confusion and undermined America's credibility. 

In a London press conference yesterday, Secretary of State John Kerry adamantly insisted there is an urgent necessity to hold the Assad regime accountable for its use of weapons of mass destruction. Then he assured his audience that the U.S. military response would be "unbelievably small." 

Kerry was just getting warmed up. When he was asked if there was anything Bashar Al-Assad could do to avoid the "unbelievably small" strike against Syria, Kerry said "yes": "He could turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community in the next week. Turn it over, all of it, without delay..." 

Kerry didn't take his own suggestion seriously. He quickly added, "But [Assad] isn't about to do it, and it can't be done, obviously." 

When asked to explain Kerry's remark, his own State Department downplayed its significance. In an email to reporters, a spokeswoman wrote, "Secretary Kerry was making a rhetorical argument about the impossibility and unlikelihood of Assad turning over chemical weapons he has denied he used." 

But Russia's Vladimir Putin jumped on Kerry's gaffe and offered to lead an effort to secure Syria's stockpiles of chemical weapons. Syria quickly accepted the Russian proposal. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon likes it too. 

Within hours, White House operatives saw a "life preserver" for Obama and seized on Kerry's blunder as a possible way out of a looming defeat on Capitol Hill. (See below.) By the evening, Barack Obama was describing Kerry's rhetorical argument as a "significant breakthrough." 

Today, John Kerry attempted to spin his gaffe as a success, saying that Russia's proposal was only possible because of the credible threat of force from the Obama Administration. Keep in mind, friends, that 24 hours earlier, Bashar Al-Assad was on U.S. TV threatening major repercussions in response to threatened U.S. strikes. 

This is what passes as foreign policy under our community organizer-in-chief. 

Obama sets a red line. Then he denies it. 

He promises to form an international coalition to act. But our British allies say "no thanks."

He says Assad must go. But he promises military action won't be aimed at regime change.

Obama says he doesn't need congressional approval. But turns around to demand it and hints he could attack Syria without it.

He compares the Syria mess to pre-World War II appeasement but promises that our response will be "unbelievably small." 

Putin did not "save" Obama today. He is humiliating him for all the world to see. If Obama is this inept in the lead up to action, there is no reason to believe he can effectively prosecute a successful military campaign. The Syria he leaves behind will likely be worse off than it is now. Look at Libya. Look at Egypt. And I predict that will also be the case in Afghanistan by the time Obama completes his planned withdrawal there. 

Obama's Support Collapsing 

As Obama prepares to deliver a major address to the nation, his approval rating on foreign policy has collapsed to its lowest level ever recorded, according to the latest CNN poll. Only 40% of the public approves of Obama's handling of foreign policy. And just 31% approve of how Obama is handling the situation in Syria. 

Meanwhile in Washington, press reports indicate that the White House is scrambling to revise the president's address, currently scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET tonight. Since that is still a few hours away, Obama's position could change several more times before then. 

Initially set to implore the public to stand with him, it seems likely that Obama will make a victory announcement, taking a bow for the grand diplomatic solution that he claims he has achieved. I can see Obama saying that if it wasn't for his "resolve" to strike Syria, we wouldn't have gotten this deal. 

By the way, how will we ever be able to determine that Assad's weapons of mass destruction are secure? Do we think we really know where they all are? We have repeatedly been surprised by Iran's nuclear program. 

But don't be deceived, friends. The White House was facing a crushing defeat on Capitol Hill. Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid, who had previously been confident about winning the vote on a resolution authorizing the use of force against Syria, abruptly announced yesterday that he was delaying the vote. 

Why? According to Politico, "there is a real chance that the White House could fall short of the 50 votes it needs to win," as more Democrats oppose granting Obama authority to launch strikes against Syria. So much for the "credible use of force." 

Putin Plays Chess to Obama's Checkers 

The White House sees Putin as its "savior" today, but the Russian leader is no friend of the United States. He is a former KGB officer who has repressed political dissent and seeks to avenge the Soviet Union's loss in the Cold War. 

Not long after Obama took office, the Russians were quick to test him. In the summer of 2009, the New York Times reported that two Russian attack submarines were discovered "patrolling off the eastern seaboard of the United States." One submarine warfare expert told the Times, "I don't think they've put two first-line nuclear subs off the U.S. coast in about 15 years." 

The Russians did it again last summer, sending an attack submarine into the Gulf of Mexico. 

In addition, Russian bombers have been entering U.S. airspace near Alaska, Guam and the West Coast, as well as other countries, including Britain and Japan. Several of these incursions were intentionally provocative, occurring near the 4th of July and hours before one of President Obama's State of the Union addresses. 

Russia is not doing us any favors in Syria. It is securing its foothold in the Middle East and protecting its client state. The chairman of the Russian Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee is mocking Obama. Putin is now demanding that Obama disavow any threat of military action.

Before this is over, Putin will steal Obama's Nobel Peace Prize!