Video of Kerry Keynote at Saban Forum...

[karynnj]

3. completely agree

Last edited Mon Dec 7, 2015, 01:16 PM - Edit history (4)

It is amazing that he is simultaneously leading on so many of these crises that need diplomatic solutions. It was interesting to hear his comments on Cyprus, which sounded pretty hopeful. I have heard him credit his staff many many times, but his ability to get into all the nuances of all of this is amazing.

What I wonder is whether there are situations where the fact that he and Obama have just one more year might help -- rather than hurt because they are "lame ducks". It is unlikely that any future President would be as supportive or have as committed a Secretary of State. For places where a solution is ripe because both sides are willing to make concessions, could January 2017 actually act as a deadline?

It does look like there is more hope than any time in years that all sides of the Syrian proxy war (except maybe Turkey) see that things have long ago become dire the need for a political solution is real. (Note that for any diplomacy, the US Congress can complain, but they have no role in ratifying anything. In addition, neither Obama or Kerry need to think of political consequences _ especially as HRC long ago distanced herself on Syria. That freedom may, in the end, be a huge asset.)