Former President Bush Bashes President Obama's Middle East Strategy

President Bush is seen here in 2008 with Democrat candidate Barack Obama. The Telegraph

Josh Rogin, Bloomberg: George W. Bush Bashes Obama on Middle East

In a closed-door meeting with Jewish Donors Saturday night, former President George W. Bush delivered his harshest public criticisms to date against his successor on foreign policy, saying that President Barack Obama is being naïve about Iran and the pending nuclear deal and losing the war against the Islamic State.

One attendee at the Republican Jewish Coalition session, held at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas with owner Sheldon Adelson in attendance, transcribed large portions of Bush’s remarks. The former president, who rarely ever criticizes Obama in public, at first remarked that the idea of re-entering the political arena was something he didn’t want to do. He then proceeded to explain why Obama, in his view, was placing the U.S. in "retreat" around the world. He also said Obama was misreading Iran’s intentions while relaxing sanctions on Tehran too easily.

According to the attendee's transcription, Bush noted that Iran has a new president, Hassan Rouhani. “He's smooth," Bush said. "And you’ve got to ask yourself, is there a new policy or did they just change the spokesman?”

Update #1: In Rare Remarks, George W. Bush Argues Against the Lifting of Iran Sanctions -- New York Times
Update #2: George W. Bush, saying voters do not like dynasties, plans to stay off campaign trail -- Washington Post

WNU Editor: Former President Bush is also critical of Russian President Putin ....

.... Bush told several anecdotes about his old friend and rival Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bush recalled that Putin met his dog Barney at the White House and then later, when Bush went to Moscow, Putin showed him his dog and remarked that he was “bigger stronger and faster than Barney.” For Bush, that behavior showed him that Putin didn’t think in “win-win” terms.

Bush also remarked that Putin was rich, divorced his wife and loves power. Putin’s domestic popularity comes from his control of Russian media, according to Bush. "Hell, I'd be popular, too, if I owned NBC news," he said.

What's my take .... if his brother was not running for the Presidency, former President Bush would not be making these remarks. The Bush family .... when it comes to politics .... always do things for a reason, and in this case he is laying the groundwork for the time when his brother gets asked about policies that the former President implemented when he was in the Oval Office.