The newly-inducted Afghan President's trip to Washington looked promising for both nations. Or so it seemed. Trudy Rubin, in her most recent article, analyzes what looks to be a rather unrequited friendship. Ashraf Ghani expressed his appreciation for our president but Obama could not return the favor. She says that he is more concerned with the politics regarding his term and social appearance after he steps down from office. Obama's eagerness to leave the troops in Afghanistan until after his term proves detrimental in many forms. Negotiations with Taliban have setback their deadline until after the troops leave and influences on the surrounding countries are not going to work in America's favor.
Despite a comparably short post, Rubin contends the argument that America is not returning friendship through a variety of rhetorical techniques. She is a frequent user of rhetorical questions and their ability to make a post seem more structured and reasoned-through. However, more notably in this post is her willingness to use figurative language and metonymies. Ghani is presented as "the antidote" to the former Afghan president. The deadline of Obama's term "threatens to pull the rug out from under Ghani." A "vacuum" would fill Afghanistan if we were to leave. And finally, to conclude her piece, the line regarding Obama's "eagerness to turn his back" notes his withdrawal of support. Trudy Rubin uses an immense amount of other techniques not common to her previous writing styles in this post in particular. It draws from rhetorical questions (appeal to logos)to set-up and precise wording (appeal to pathos with metaphors) to execute the argument in a rhetorically-appealing fashion.
As I read over this, I did find she used great rhetorical strategies, but doesn't she seem to throw her opinion in there through what she's writing? It was a thought. Otherwise, this is a good post, but try to expand on the strategies more as well as how these work! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThe comparison between Obama and Ghani is quite interesting. Great analysis and noting the amount of rhetorical terms used in her post. This is the first time a pundit has addressed Obama's foreign poicy.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed teat Rubin relied heavily on rhetorical questions. I think that she employed these questions masterfully as organizational tools. Rather than simply state her reasons and sub-claims, Rubin asks the reader for their opinion at points central to the argument's development, making the reader feel a more personal connection to the argument, as if they played a role in creating it.
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ReplyDeleteRubin, I can definitely see where you are coming from. The way Obama conducted his speech based around his term ending in 2016 really conveys the idea that he is more focused on himself than the well-being of the relationship. I'm curious to see whether or not he responds to this "mistake" and in what way he might try to salvage his reputation.