Iranian missile tests raise international concerns

[0:00]" Joining us now is Steve Roberts and Steve I wanna talk a little bit about Iran obviously two days of missile test this is pretty provocative. What's the reaction so far today from the US."

[1:35]" It sure is of course of President Obama really ahead of things he met with the Russian president also -- that the Japanese. Leaders yesterday last week when he without the UN. -- what what what did it did to bear any fruit those talks with the leaders of Japan and and Russia."

[1:54]" Well there is. The one of the ways in which. Obama has his phrase reset. The button. Relationship with Moscow certainly. Is by changing the whole architecture of the nuclear defense system. Anti missile system in Europe. He met some of the objections -- two years Russia have about it some of these emplacements and former Soviet countries like Czechoslovakia and near the border with Russia. The hope is that this will gain from goodwill and the Russian president Medvedev. Indicated over the weekend summer sympathy. With the idea that protection program but he's not the real power -- real power is that still by the recruitment he's been far. Less willing to consider sanctions and them. So -- And the other problem is this you know you have with the you know random. Very healthy dissident movement. And they have been repressed repeatedly but -- not been eliminated in the tricky line because. On what handy when -- confront the regime and say there are penalties and high price to be paid. For defying the world community is going it alone in building new nuclear systems. On the other hand if you do imposing sanctions the reason simply turned around. Says to the dissident movement seized the west this weekend. And unify the country behind the regime. This is an old tactic. So he's he's got to be very careful because. Sanctions can actually backfire in terms of solidifying. Behold the received has over the country."

[3:36]" One has to wonder what is the ultimate objective here of Iran being so provocative over the past week."

[4:39]" Turning to Afghanistan. Growing chorus of those in the military. Saying look we need boots on the ground or this will fail essentially supporting. General crystals assertion. The crystals assertion that. Is failure is inevitable if we don't get more boots in the air. And I'm wondering now what what president Obama's choices are they becoming quickly limited."

[5:05]" Yes. Let's remember the history here. The President Obama as a candidate. To a clear distinction. He said that Iraq was a war of choice and use that description too heavily criticized. The bush. Decision to go into Iraq -- it was unnecessary. Pro American national interest but he tried to contrast that with Afghanistan where he said that this was a war of necessity it was. Necessary for the United States to be there because of the al-Qaeda and its allies. Were free to roam through the mountains of Afghanistan and use that territory to plot. Attacks that could directly affect the national interest in the United States having said that in March. -- now realizing that it's a far more extensive and costly and complicated commitment that perhaps he first realized what is victory. What is the long range goal -- it's simply too repressed al-Qaeda or is it to rebuild the country of Afghanistan. Into a safe and secure place that's a much larger much more definite much more. Extensive commitment and I think he's now face. With having to revisit the whole. Question. What America's national interest are there what the goal of American policy should be what constitutes victory. And he's being pressured from all sides because the military says if you want the military and their you've got to put in more troops. As these -- more boots on the ground to accomplish. Our objective but you've got a lot of Democrats. Increasingly wearied of the war it's that contrary years. One of the world war two and and so he is really resonate very tough position here. -- military advisers until one thing a lot of this civilians supporters is telling him something very different."

[6:54]" Isn't it tough position all around whether it's health care or Afghanistan or the economy I -- they're just so many. Pressures on this president."

[7:04]" It's true and you know when he campaigned. The world look pretty simple. Knowing that I wanted to change things -- idea I want to turn things we want -- change things then but that word. As many -- And when you face the realities of policy whether domestically are trying to create -- health care bill right now is big problems and not with the Republicans -- with his other Democrats. The Democrats because they're in the majority there in the majority because they were able to elect people. In states and districts that are far more moderate. You know the senators from Massachusetts and how do you the bridge those gaps and how do you accommodative very wide view of the opinions on. On health care you know offenders from the northeast continued to say yes we want a public option health care but the senators from Montana North Dakota and Arkansas. Far less willing to commit themselves to such an extensive and expensive intrusion and health care system. So -- change sounded simple and clear are wonderful exciting during the campaign. Reality much much much more difficult to do."

[8:19]" This sounds more like psychoanalysis. Than political analysis but. One of President Obama is most. Appealing qualities was this not. -- in -- optimism in spirit you have to wonder if that's if he's gonna lose that."

[8:34]" Well I think it's so far. He has not means so far he has remained quite strong. And and quite determined -- I don't he would crack. And has decided that sent I think if that as the individual he read me. -- is very compelling and attractive figure. To a lot of Americans and a lot of our foreign allies. That the difficulty not in Obama personally the difficulty is that -- ability. Of the problems he's facing. He the year ago when he was campaigning. He didn't bargain on inheriting an economy that was -- convict. Imploding. Having spent seventy you know 7800 billion dollars to rescue it well. When you were thinking about creating new health care system it's going to be very expensive he never imagined during the campaign. That he would be dealing in a situation where you already have a -- So much money to rescue the economy that he had a huge deficit hanging -- had just one example. -- being president is far more difficult. Than running for president."

[9:44]" Now what is the pay again for being president. -- Steve Roberts always a pleasure thank you so much it's an --"

[9:54]" I'd like to add one final word absolutely. We've learned over the weekend of the death of Williams their father the former New York Times columnist state. Is vibrant and courageous conservative voice for generations. I typically coaster built from where I'm sitting right now like -- walk to a house where friends and close neighbors. What I always valued about bill sapphire was in an age when so many courses on the left and the right -- so predictable. They simply repeat this -- talking points this thing prejudices the things. He used over and over again there was fresh inventive and parades and regional. And that's why. He was such a valuable forward and more liberal as well conservatives felt they had to read -- near times it was to Meet the Press. Everything to about -- satisfied with that he was an exceptionally warm programs and this -- you know report -- where the holiest -- Jewish calendar. Observed -- as bill was with passed on support and would have this party every year. To break the story that is closest friends. He's my of this moment stand at the door with a -- increases friends became the story it's going to be particularly. Poignant and sad for so many. And not be able to walk in the door this where households in this wonderful warm greeting them he's going to be very widely -- Oh."