BET Wire: Is Obama a Foreign Policy Weakling?

Critics say the president's foreign policy is unconvincing.

In Case You Missed It - Republicans leave President Obama scratching his head; Ben Carson kind of blames the spread of measles on immigrants; one lawmaker thinks it's OK if your food service worker doesn't wash his hands after a bathroom break — and more. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)

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In Case You Missed It - Questions arise about President Obama's foreign policy vision; NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden wants to come home; the Veterans Affairs scandal widens; a few leaders share memories of the late Maya Angelou – and more.  – Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: BET)

The Weakest Ever? - Former Vice President Dick Cheney isn't holding back his views about how Obama's handling foreign policy. “I think the perception around the world is increasingly negative but I think the main focus is on our president. He’s a very weak president, certainly the weakest I have seen in my lifetime," Cheney told Fox News host Sean Hannity after the president announced his withdrawal plan for Afghanistan. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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The Weakest Ever? - Former Vice President Dick Cheney isn't holding back his views about how Obama's handling foreign policy. “I think the perception around the world is increasingly negative but I think the main focus is on our president. He’s a very weak president, certainly the weakest I have seen in my lifetime," Cheney told Fox News host Sean Hannity after the president announced his withdrawal plan for Afghanistan. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Not Very Convincing - "In laying out his vision for the U.S. role in the world, the president aimed for the well-trod high ground between isolationists and interventionists. His last effort to get there, a peevish exposition at a news conference in the Philippines, wasn't very convincing," wrote the editors of Bloomberg after Obama delivered a commencement speech on foreign policy at West Point. "His presentation was more polished today, but it's unlikely to tamp down criticism of his conduct of foreign policy as weak, indecisive and unconvincing." Their views echoed the sentiments of other publications, both conservative and Obama-friendly. (Photo: Philip Kamrass/AP Photo)

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Not Very Convincing - "In laying out his vision for the U.S. role in the world, the president aimed for the well-trod high ground between isolationists and interventionists. His last effort to get there, a peevish exposition at a news conference in the Philippines, wasn't very convincing," wrote the editors of Bloomberg after Obama delivered a commencement speech on foreign policy at West Point. "His presentation was more polished today, but it's unlikely to tamp down criticism of his conduct of foreign policy as weak, indecisive and unconvincing." Their views echoed the sentiments of other publications, both conservative and Obama-friendly. (Photo: Philip Kamrass/AP Photo)

Clemency or Amnesty? - In a wide-ranging interview with NBC's Brian Williams, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden defended blowing the whistle on the National Security Agency data collection program but also expressed a desire to return to the U.S. “I don’t think there’s ever been any question that I’d like to go home. I mean, I’ve from day one said that I’m doing this to serve my country," he said. "Now, whether amnesty or clemency ever becomes a possibility is not for me to say. That’s a debate for the public and the government to decide.” (Photo: AP Photo/NBC News)

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Clemency or Amnesty? - In a wide-ranging interview with NBC's Brian Williams, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden defended blowing the whistle on the National Security Agency data collection program but also expressed a desire to return to the U.S. “I don’t think there’s ever been any question that I’d like to go home. I mean, I’ve from day one said that I’m doing this to serve my country," he said. "Now, whether amnesty or clemency ever becomes a possibility is not for me to say. That’s a debate for the public and the government to decide.” (Photo: AP Photo/NBC News)

Comes With the "Job" - Queen Latifah and Moby have done it, so why not Chiara and Dante de Blasio? The children of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio will be crowned King Neptune and Queen Mermaid at Coney Island's 32nd annual Mermaid Parade on June 21. They'll also be wheeled around in an antique wicker Boardwalk Rolling Chair. Fun. (Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

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Comes With the "Job" - Queen Latifah and Moby have done it, so why not Chiara and Dante de Blasio? The children of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio will be crowned King Neptune and Queen Mermaid at Coney Island's 32nd annual Mermaid Parade on June 21. They'll also be wheeled around in an antique wicker Boardwalk Rolling Chair. Fun. (Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

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Bad News - An interim report from the Department of Veterans Affairs inspector general’s office confirmed that clinics manipulated waiting times in Phoenix, allegedly causing the death of up to 40 vets. The report also suggested that the practice takes place in other states. (Photo: Marilyn Nieves/Getty Images)

Veterans Affairs - Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki also was forced to step down in 2014 following the disclosure that several veterans had died while waiting to receive treatment at a VA facility in Phoenix. An inspector general investigation found that delays in treatment and other misconduct were pandemic throughout the VA system, which led to other investigations, including inquiries by the White House and the FBI. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Gone - In the aftermath of the independent review by the VA's inspector general, and a growing number of congressional lawmakers calling for Eric Shinseki to step down, the embattled Veterans Affairs secretary resigned on May 30. Obama said Shinseki is a "champion" who has done "extraordinary work," but accepted the resignation because the secretary believed he would be a distraction in the effort to fix the VA's ongoing, systemic problems.(Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Marc Morial, National Urban League - We are of course indescribably disappointed. We are disappointed in the grand jury’s decision. We are disappointed in St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch’s focus more on the media’s reaction to this injustice than to the loss of Michael Brown’s life. We are disappointed that this does not reflect the best of what our nation can be. This is not a proud day for America. We uphold the justice system and legal structure that has helped to guide the course of America and many of the rights we all enjoy today. But nothing is perfect. When we abandon the very foundational tenet of justice for all, we abandon a core part of who we are as a nation. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images) 

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We Are All Better Off - "The wisdom, humanity, love, passion, strength, compassion, determination, and perseverance that permeated [Maya Angelou's] life and works have forever changed who we are and how we view ourselves as individuals, as a people and as a nation. We are all better because she chose to share her gifts with the world," said National Urban League president Marc Morial.  (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

A Cultural Foundation - “Her poetry became part of my cultural foundation. Beautifully and powerfully crafted, Maya Angelou’s poems inspired me and so many others to rise and to seek new phenomenal heights,” said Barbara Arnwine, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee. (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images)

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A Cultural Foundation - “Her poetry became part of my cultural foundation. Beautifully and powerfully crafted, Maya Angelou’s poems inspired me and so many others to rise and to seek new phenomenal heights,” said Barbara Arnwine, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee. (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images)

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She Simply Inspired - "Her words simply inspired. Dr. Angelou used to come every year to Los Angeles to speak and I would take my daughter Emilia to see her. She always had a commanding and comforting presence and I will also cherish those memories that I had with my daughter," said Rep. Karen Bass (D-California). "Even though Dr. Angelou left us today, her words will continue to lift us up for generations. She was wise and kind, and she remains an inspiration for me, for women, for African Americans, and for all of us who needed encouragement during moments of darkness.” (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

We Shall Not See Her Like Again  - “For my family and me, Maya Angelou will always be much more than a great American and an icon in world literature. She is the namesake of one of my daughters, who met her as a young girl and celebrated her twenty-first birthday just one day before the elder Maya was lost to us," said Attorney General Eric Holder.  Although our hearts are filled with grief at the news of her passing — a sorrow made all the more acute by the knowledge that we shall not see her like again — she will continue to be a source of strength and inspiration. She will endure in the singular body of work she leaves behind. And she will live on in the shining example that guides our steps forward and fuels the work that remains." (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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We Shall Not See Her Like Again  - “For my family and me, Maya Angelou will always be much more than a great American and an icon in world literature. She is the namesake of one of my daughters, who met her as a young girl and celebrated her twenty-first birthday just one day before the elder Maya was lost to us," said Attorney General Eric Holder.  Although our hearts are filled with grief at the news of her passing — a sorrow made all the more acute by the knowledge that we shall not see her like again — she will continue to be a source of strength and inspiration. She will endure in the singular body of work she leaves behind. And she will live on in the shining example that guides our steps forward and fuels the work that remains." (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)