Oozing Competence: Obama's SmartPower™ Doctrine Makes the World a More Exciting Place Every Day

Syria conducted nuclear experiments: IAEA document

'Syria has told the UN atomic watchdog about past nuclear experiments, but is still refusing to cooperate over allegations that it was building a secret nuclear reactor with North Korea's help, a new report revealed Monday.'

Israel recoils as US backs nuclear move

'Washington's unprecedented backing for a UN resolution for a nuclear-free Middle East that singles out Israel has both angered and deeply worried the Jewish state... The resolution adopted by the United Nations on Friday calls on Israel to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and urges it to open its facilities to inspection...

...the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "furious with the Obama administration for having failed to prevent the resolution from passing... and for choosing to support it... The American support for the resolution, after decades in which it supported Israel on this issue, came as a complete surprise," the paper said.'

Soaring costs force Canada to reassess health model

'Pressured by an aging population and the need to rein in budget deficits, Canada's provinces are taking tough measures to curb healthcare costs, a trend that could erode the principles of the popular state-funded system... Quebec has a new flat health tax and a proposal for payments on each medical visit -- an idea that critics say is an illegal user fee... And a few provinces are also experimenting with private funding for procedures such as hip, knee and cataract surgery.'

Seoul Weighs Shift in U.S. Military Ties

'South Korea is reviewing its defense policy following North Korea's alleged sinking of a South Korean naval vessel, a process that could significantly change Seoul's military alliance with Washington, according to officials engaged in the process.'

And, no summary of the Obama Doctrine would be complete without a caustic critique from the Left: in this case from Dilip Hiro at The Puffington Roast.

Obama's Rudderless Foreign Policy Underscores America's Waning Power

'Obama’s propensity to retreat at the first sign of resistance shows that he lacks both guts and the strong convictions that are essential elements distinguishing statesmen from politicians. By pursuing a rudderless course in his foreign policy, by flip-flopping in his approach to other leaders, he is also inadvertently furnishing hard evidence to those who argue that American power is on the decline -- and that the downward slide of the globe’s former “sole superpower” is irreversible.'

And to top it all off, heavily armed 'humanitarians' are trying to destabilize the Middle East by supplying Hamas with advanced weaponry with the help of the usual cadre of useful idiots (Democrats, Leftists and old media, but I repeat myself).