Ivo Daalder:

With neither force nor diplomacy, Bush is pursuing a foreign policy of empty gestures. Strong words here; a soothing telephone call and hasty meetings there. But no control of events or any clear sense of direction. Bush is left with trying to kick the proverbial can down the road — far enough so the next president can deal with it — even thought we’re now talking about a trash can rather a soup can.

The drift that characterizes Bush’s current foreign policy is ironic, for it was candidate George W. Bush who blasted the Clinton administration for pursuing a foreign policy that had led “our nation to move from crisis to crisis like a cork in a current.” The lesson, Bush then declared, was clear:

“Unless a president sets his own priorities, his priorities will be set by others — by adversaries, or the crisis of the moment, live on CNN. American policy can become random and reactive — untethered to the interests of our country.”

That’s as good a definition of where Bush’s misplaced priorities has gotten us as any.

Thing is, Bush doesn't really care about international diplomacy except insofar as it guarantees GOP victory in the next election, or interim profits for his base. His father was blasted for lacking "the vision thing", but now we see that Bush has no real vision either.

On the other hand, Cheney and Rumsfeld have always had a very clear vision: global US military and economic domination. Forever. But fortunately the US Military is not going to play the game any more.