Burma Shaved

The Obama administration's one and only foreign policy success--Burma--is no more. Obama had used the Burma model in making overtures to Iran and Cuba. As Michael Rubin points out, however,

Alas, Burma’s openness has not lasted. Indeed, had the Obama administration waited to see the success of its formula in Burma, it might have been less enthusiastic to lift sanctions and rush blindly into engagement absent leverage with both Iran and Cuba.

It might have been more hesitant to pursue a relationship with Iran and Cuba--but I think Obama would have barreled ahead with those plans no matter what.