© dpa
On Thursday, the US Secretary of State testified before Congress trying to sell legislators on a $50 billion budget for his department, calling it "the minimum price" for America's leadership for the next year.
In his fourth testimony this week, Kerry pointed out the scope of the US' "simultaneous" engagements across the world, while also stressing the need to keep national security strong and protect America's interests.
With regard to Washington's international challenges, specifically the scale of radical Islamic extremism, Kerry was asked if he agreed that Russia poses a greater threat than jihadists.
"If you wanted me to put on the table the top threat to the United States today, in terms of day to day life and the stability of the world, it is violent extremism, radical religious extremism and violence..." he began to reply. Kerry was interrupted by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-California), who called the Secretary out for being "unable" to say "radical Islamic" when referring to terrorism.
Comment: Pass the sick-bag. Rohrabacher seems to be channeling McCarthy here. Or Goebbels. And of course, no acknowledgment that the U.S. is the greatest facilitator of "radical Islamic" terrorism.
Comment: Erdogan recently bemoaned the loss of Russia as a friend due to a paltry "two pilots". As Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded, due to Turkey, Russia lost two pilots. Big difference that just goes to show how small an understanding of normal human relations Erdogan has. Turkish business, and relations with Russia, will continue to suffer until the Turkish regime gets its act together and starts acting like an adult, not a petulant schoolyard bully. Further reading: