Right now, President Obama is taking a lot of heat for his lack of leadership on Libya. That criticism may be overstated, however, as those urging action seem more interested in doing "something" rather than having an actual plan in mind. I don't think it's a leadership vice to maintain some level of uncertainty in a situation where the answer may not be clear.
If criticism is due right now, I think it actually relates to Japan. Sure, the Administration has said we will help Japan, but the support has been tepid at best. Right now, we need to stand with one of our most dependable allies and demonstrate that we will do whatever it takes to bring Japan back. I think people take for granted the miracle that is our relationship with Japan. It's as if Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima never happened. That is truly remarkable, and it is largely, in my view, a product of the fact that once the war was over, we embarked on a program to help rebuild Japan. We didn't use our military victory as a vehicle for inflicting additional punishment on an aggressor.
Japan has taken a body-blow, and we have an opportunity to show our ally that America stands with its friends to the last. Let's face it, the President's role on policy affairs is overstated due the checks and balances existing in our system. His role in being our national voice, however, is not overstated, and we need him to speak loudly about Japan. The enduring impression that we need to leave is that Japan will be back and that the U.S. will be there, hand-in-hand, as we help in their rebuilding efforts.
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