Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was left trying to do some diplomatic clean-up work today, as she publicly declared that Russia remains a “Great Power” and is still respected by the United States. The comments come just one day after an interview with Vice President Joe Biden featured what is being called a “diatribe” against Russia’s standing in the world.
In the interview, Biden mocked Russia’s “withering economy” and predicted the impending collapse of its banking sector, as well as claiming the nation was struggled to come to grips with its loss of empire and “clinging to something in the past.”
Biden also claimed that Russia could not sustain its current level of influence in neighboring states and insisted that it was only interested in nuclear disarmament because it couldn’t afford its arsenal. Mysteriously given the tone of most of his comments, Biden then said it was important that the US not “embarrass” Russia over its weakness.
Russian officials termed Biden’s comments “perplexing” in light of recent US diplomatic overtures and pressed the administration to clarify them. Secretary Clinton appeared to be attempting to do that with today’s comments praising Russia’s standing in the world, but the stark differences between the two interviews may spark more questions about US policy toward Russia than they answer
Delawareans always thought Biden's antics wrere amusing, and they were for a clown in a state with three electoral votes; but now even they are no longer amused by his lack of insight and decorum. His remarks on Israel's right to attack Iran, and now his insulting remarks about Russia prove that he is a major liability and not worthy of the office he occupies. If Obama can't put him on a leash then Biden must be isolated for now, and ultimately dropped from the ticket. Can anyone imagine this idiot as President of The U.S.?
Delawareans always thought Biden's antics were amusing, and they were for a clown in a state with three electoral votes; but now even they are no longer amused by his lack of insight and decorum. His remarks on Israel's right to attack Iran, and now his insulting remarks about Russia prove that he is a major liability and not worthy of the office he occupies. If Obama can't put him on a leash then Biden must be isolated for now, and ultimately dropped from the ticket. Can anyone imagine this idiot as President of The U.S.?
"They have a shrinking population base, they have a withering economy, they have a banking sector and structure that is not likely to be able to withstand the next 15 years, they're in a situation where the world is changing before them and they're clinging to something in the past that is not sustainable."
Genius Joe was obviously commenting on the United States and not Russia. He should have stayed back on the Used Car lot with his daddy. And this is our VP ?
VP Biden has always been a big mouth fool but before it never mattered. Now it does matter and twice recently his stupid remarks are harmful to our country. The U.S. needs Russia as an important ally, not as a dangerous enemy. We must give Russia the respect that it deserves and expects. Biden is too stupid to understand this.Last week he told Israel that it would be OK with the U.S. for them to bomb Iran. This was one of the dumbest remarks ever uttered by a U.S. official. An Israeli attack on Iran would drive oil prices through the roof, destroying our already fragile economy.Also, an attack would kill one million innocent Iranian civilians. Biden was the Dems gift to the Zionist lobby who were uneasy with Obama( Biden could always be counted on to put Israel's interests first but Obama couldn't). He needs to be sent to the woodshed and told to shut his mouth.
Unfortunatelly for all of us, Biden is not a problem. Problem is the restoration of Clinton administration. It seems that Obama's foreign policy has been taken over by the Clinton-era phylosophy and its practicioners. The ethiology of the phenomena is most likely rooted in the murky business of the bi-partsan elite that would have been more comfortable with Clinton. Since the voting public was not about to bless their choice, Obama had to do — with restrictions.
Clinton's foreign policy is based on the pillars of Zbignew Brzezinski's The Grand Chessboard, and its sequel, The Second Chance. It is based on the imperative of suffocating Russia, and China. The methods are rooted in the 19th century garrisoning of key geographic areas, such as Afghanistan, the key real estate for expansion in Central Asia, supporting exremists in Uzbekistan, Tadjikistan, as well as inside Russia's Caucases and China's Western borders.
Therefore, Biden is just doing his job. Obama is looking bad, as his words and the deeds of his Administation are worlds apart.
Oh goodness, Biden is such a disaster! But what a great insurance policy for Pres. Obama. He needs to be sent on permanent assignment to, hmmmm, Greenland?
Mr. Biden is and has always been lazy. Living in the past and does not do any self homework.
He is useless.
Mr. Biden has singlehandedly performed the second "zero reset" of Russia/US relations. (sigh)
Joe Biden just stating explicitly what American policy thinking is on Russia.
i think it is far more insulting that the president would say to the Russians that our military build up and interventions on there border are to protect against iran