Two Papers in One!

James Taranto notices things. Two Papers in One!:

• Mr. Obama is a man of supple intelligence, with a nuanced grasp of complex issues and evident skill at conciliation and consensus-building. . . . Abroad, the best evidence suggests that he would seek to maintain U.S. leadership and engagement, continue the fight against terrorists, and wage vigorous diplomacy on behalf of U.S. values and interests. Mr. Obama has the potential to become a great president."--editorial, Washington Post, Oct. 17, 2008

• "For five years, President Obama has led a foreign policy based more on how he thinks the world should operate than on reality. It was a world in which 'the tide of war is receding' and the United States could, without much risk, radically reduce the size of its armed forces. Other leaders, in this vision, would behave rationally and in the interest of their people and the world."--editorial, Washington Post, March 3, 2014

So now we lead from behind, and hope for the best.

(btw, re Ukraine, there is darned little we can do. That's the reality of the situation. But it's good that the Post notices that "hope isn't a plan")