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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Is President Obama Too 'Passive' in Foreign Affairs?

President Obama is accused of standing by as Egypt's generals deposed an elected government and killed almost 1000 opponents both in the streets and in custody. Promised aid to Syrian rebels has not materialized, months after Obama's demand that President al-Assad step down.

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

President Obama is accused of standing by as Egypt's generals deposed an elected government and killed almost 1000 opponents both in the streets and in custody. Promised aid to Syrian rebels has not materialized, months after Obama's demand that President al-Assad step down. Iran's new president reportedly wants direct negotiations, but the US failed even to congratulate him on his recent election. Is it too late for the US to have an impact on crises in the Middle East? Have opportunities been missed, or did they really exist in the first place?

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Evan George

    Director of Content, News

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    Christian Bordal

    Managing Producer, Greater LA

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    Gideon Brower

    Independent Producer

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    Mike Giglio

    BuzzFeed

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    William Dobson

    Slate.com

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    Kori Schake

    Hoover Institution

    NewsNationalPolitics
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