Chess, Anyone?

Did you ever play chess? It's a good game, a game of strategy and conquest. The premise of the game is to capture the most valuable piece on the board, the King. That is called checkmate, because you were able to set up your other pieces in order to finally come in for the kill.

But to me, I don't think that checkmate is the ultimate "insult" in a win. You could easily accomplish it while your opponent is trying to do the same to you. And, sometimes, a little luck, as well as strategy, could be on your side.

Instead, I feel the biggest "insult" is being placed in a position to withdraw. Withdrawal means that you see your chance to win as hopeless. You basically didn't see it coming and now the train is in your face. No matter what moves you make, the hole only gets deeper. So, you must withdraw.

Geopolitics is a lot like chess. You have important pieces, your allies, your military, your economy. And your citizenry are your pawns. For the United States, since WWII, our allies have been Germany, France, Italy, and England. While from time to time, the first three have been fair-weathered allies, England has been loyal to the core.

Until now.

Russia, on the other hand, has mixed and matched its allies as circumstances  warranted. There has been no real loyalty by its allies, whether they were Warsaw Pact countries, African nations, Far East or Latin American supporters. Presently, it seems that  Syria and Iran fit Russia's needs.

Economies and militaries are important because they help those in charge achieve their end goals. Without strong  economies, whether they are capitalist, socialist or some other form of economy, you must manage it well or you lose a major resource in your game plan.

The same with your military. If you constantly put it in harms way, whether at home or abroad, it eventually becomes weakened. And if you abuse or disrespect it, well, you will have lost it.

The pawns, uh, the people depend on its leaders to keep them safe, prosperous and free from losing the things they treasure most: life, family, property. Ideals like freedom and liberty are defined for us by the way the government treats us. For some, as long as the government provides health care, jobs and enough money to be able to purchase goods and services, all is well. For Americans, not so much.

So until now, our leaders played very good chess games with the Russians and had great allies in British Prime Ministers. Kennedy had McMillan, Nixon had Wilson, Reagan and Bush 41 had Thatcher, and Clinton and Bush 43 had Blair. Each president and prime minister offered good advice, strong support and worked as co-leaders on pressing world events, standing up to Soviet and Russian leaders.

President Obama has lost his allies and his support team. How? Well, he is not a good chess player. Yes, he makes good speeches, and at one time, was able to inspire Americans, Europeans and others with his uplifting sentiment and lofty promises. But the world has learned that he doesn't back up his words with action, as his predecessors did. Instead, they have come to believe that while he can talk the talk, he doesn't  know how to walk the walk.

Vladimir Putin was very shrewd. He decided that he and Dmitri Medvedev would switch places for a few years, while, ever the chess player, Vlad was able to observe Barry from close range and yet, not be seen. Now, he is once again President of Russia, only this time, he is dealing from a position of perceived strength.

And President Obama is in well over his head. The Chessmaster has all his pieces in play on the geopolitical chessboard, while our President is fumbling with scandals, weapons to perceived rebels in Syria and no support from NATO countries or especially England.

And then our President goes to Northern Ireland, where until only recently, religious intolerance abounded between Catholics and Protestants, and proceeded to criticize both groups. While there, he had an opportunity to speak directly to Mr Putin, and it looked as though neither wanted to be in the same room. The winner? Vlad by a decision.

Now, Edward Snowden is in Russia and the US has asked that he be extradited back to our country. Round two?  Right. Vlad again.

President Obama is in a position that no President of the USA, in dealing with the Russians, or the Soviets before them, had ever been in: second place. Vladimir Putin, the consummate chess player, knows this and will continue to move his pieces on the board until finally, Barack Obama has no choice but to withdraw.

He is losing badly, and therefore, so is the United States. Soon, we may never recover from this geopolitical chess match. When Obama loses, the American Century will be done.

History will look at our time as we do the Roman Empire, the Renaissance, the British Empire. Fondly and with a sense of nostalgia. And the Russian Century will begin.