I still struggle to find any substantive accomplishments of Warren Christopher as Secretary of State. Yet here he is calling for a cease fire. If one talks of propping up Yeltsin, how long did that last and what were ultimately the consequences? Corruption, disorder and national cynicism that led to the welcoming and the acceptance of Vladimir Putin.

 

Christopher oversaw a Clintonian diplomatic strategy that led to the empowerment of a terrorist into a "world leader" — Yasser Arafat (who slept in the White House more times than any other foreign leader and he didn't even need to make any political donations). Iran continued to build out its nuclear program, as did North Korea, which enjoyed the additional benefits of bribes pocketed. Hezbollah also built up its forces, as did Al Qaeda.

 

Now , he is back Monday morning quarterbacking, as so many ex—Clintonistas are wont to do, after displaying historical amnesia regarding their own failures (or trying to hide them, a la Berger).

 

Ed Lasky   7 28 06