http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2014/06/12/white-house-passing-the-buck-to-biden-to-deal-with-iraq-crisis/?print=1As Ukrainian protesters rallied against the Kremlin-backed government, were killed by government forces and weathered a subsequent Russian invasion, President Obama left it up to Vice President Joe Biden to directly communicate with the Ukrainian government.
Obama even went so far as a skip a national security meeting on the Russian invasion at the beginning of March, which Biden joined via teleconference.
Now, it appears that foreign policy methodology is playing out again in Iraq.
Last night, the White House announced that Biden had jumped on the phone with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan ?regarding the security situation around Mosul, Iraq, where elements of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have taken over significant portions of the city, seized the Turkish consulate, and taken Turkish personnel ? including the Consul General and family members ? hostage.?
?The Vice President underscored the United States condemns the actions taken by ISIL, calls for the safe and immediate return of the Turkish personnel and family members, and supports efforts by Iraqi national and Kurdish security forces to work together to combat the ISIL threat,? said the readout from the White House. ?The Vice President told Prime Minister Erdogan that the United States is prepared to support Turkey?s efforts to bring about the safe return of its citizens and will stay in close touch with the Turkish and Iraqi governments regarding a resolution to the security situation.?
Obama met with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in the morning and honored the WNBA Champion Minnesota Lynx in the afternoon.
This afternoon, the White House released a readout of Biden?s call with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
