COMMENTARY | In the week following the burning of Korans and other religious material at Bagram Air Field near Kabul (Afghanistan), tensions directed at President Obama and his administration countinue to mount.
In a bitter statement over the weekend, Iranian commander Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqd exclaimed, “Nothing but burning the White House can relieve the wound of us, the Muslims, caused by the Burning of Quran in the U.S.” He went on to tell Fars news agency in Iran, “their apology can be accepted only by hanging their commanders; hanging their commanders means an apology.”
Charred fragments of the Muslim holy book were found by Afghans Tuesday (Feb. 21) after they had been placed in a pit meant for burning garbage. Subsequently, President Obama issued a written apology to Afghan President Hamid Karzai. It’s an apology that has not been well received in that region of the world.
Critics hammer Obama
President Obama has found himself a lightning rod for criticism not just from the Middle East but from the Republican candidates seeking the presidency this November.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich called the Obama apology an “outrage.” As reported in Fox News, he went on to say, “If Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan, doesn’t feel like apologizing then I think we should say goodbye and good luck.”
Gingrich made his statements after it was learned two U.S. soldiers were killed in riots following news of the burning of the Korans.
Rick Santorum called the Obama apology “unacceptable.”
Russia’s Putin concerned
Though he did not refer to the Koran burnings directly, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin openly remarked on Middle East tensions and the national security of Russia.
Expressing concern over the growing military threat in the region, Putin stated that the “fallout would be truly catastrophic.” He added that U.S. military threats in the region combined with its growing European missile defense systems threaten the balance of power in the world and are not aligned with Russia’s security needs or the “stability of the world.”
Putin hopes to be re-elected prime minister as Russians vote in elections March 4.
Patience among growing hostility
It is estimated that 28 people have been killed with scores injured in riots that have followed the burning of the Korans near Kabal. It’s a tragedy that is unfortunate yet a situation that the Obama Administration should have anticipated following the burnings.
As for the apology, White House Spokesman Jay Carney reiterated that the response was “wholly appropriate” noting the need for safety of Americans serving in that part of the world.
The President is patient. While his apology has done little to stem outrage toward America he has said little in the aftermath hoping tensions ease.
Meanwhile the call for the burning of the White House ensues, our military are exposed to greater risk, and other nations place pressure on the United States to examine its posture in world affairs.
Yet the United States moves forward with the same failed policies in the same failed region.
Patience — it’s not what we need, but for now, it’s what we’ll get.
Robert Watkins is former investment professional and partner. He lives with his family in Glen Mills, Pa., and is a frequent contributor to Yahoo! News
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