Secretary of State John Kerry angrily defended the Obama administration’s record on international diplomacy from Senator Jim Risch, after the Idaho Republican claimed that America’s foreign policy “is spinning out of control.”
Kerry came before a Senate committee Tuesday, explaining to interested lawmakers that Russia remained an aggressive force in eastern Ukraine and that increased sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime seems more likely.
“I do not envy the position you’re in here today,” Risch began after Kerry had outlined significant challenges in eastern Europe and elsewhere. “After the discussion we’ve had here today, I think anybody who would come in here would have an impression that — after we looked at the issues of Russia, Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, the peace process, and all the difficulties with every one of these.”
“I appreciate your view that there are some things happening which are positive,” the senator continued. “But I tell you, you can’t help but get the impression our foreign policy is just spinning out of control. And we are losing control in virtually every area we are trying to do something.”
Risch specifically singled out the American relationship with Russia. “This administration said they were gonna hit the reset button,” he said. “I can’t help but think somebody hit the wrong button, because things have not gone well during this administration.”
Kerry seethed against accusations of incompetence aimed at his department. “Well, let me give you what I consider a taste of reality, senator, about our foreign policy and the realities of the world,” he began, launching into a full-throated defense of the Obama administration’s handling of Russia and insisting — over Risch’s objections — that sanctions “are having an impact.”
“But when you say something like ‘our foreign policy is spinning out of control,’ those are great talking points,” Kerry said. “They make for good, you know, soundbites on TV nowadays. But I have to tell you, senator, that’s just not true.”
“I just don’t agree with you!” he later shouted. “We’re living in a complicated world.”
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