Obama's new security strategy: Too soft?

President Obama has outlined a new national security strategy rooted in diplomacy and international alliances, which some see as a repudiation of George W. Bush's policy emphasizing America's right to wage pre-emptive war. Obama previewed his new approach in a commencement address at West Point — the same place his predecessor had introduced what became known as "the Bush doctrine" in the aftermath of 9/11. Is Obama's strategy wise, or is he going soft on terrorism? (Watch Obama's comments on "international order")

Obama's weak, like past Democratic presidents: "There's nothing new in what the quisling punk in chief is saying here," says Dan Riehl in Riehl World View. Obama is just peddling the same policy of weakness we had under those previous Democratic "disasters," Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. "Bush was no warmonger" — but at least when he was in charge "one knew there was a big stick to be used when all the talking failed."

"Obama: Speak softly..."

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Obama's being forceful, not soft: Obama's new strategy, which he'll officially unveil next week, is anything but weak, says Spencer Ackerman in The Washington Independent. "It's an assertive multilateralism with 'American innovation' — that is, a vigorous, healthy and balanced American economy — at the core of the international order." Obama is talking about using — not shelving — American power, and he's directly refuting the idea that he thinks U.S. influence is "on the decline."

"At West Point, a preview of Obama’s national security strategy"

This is just Obama's version of the Bush doctrine: The president isn't really ditching Bush's policy, says John Hinderaker in Power Line. The president talked about the need to have "continuity" in our approach to national security — which is smart, and the opposite of what you say when you're making a break with your predecessor.

"Obama's West Point speech: What did he say?"