Dashboard

When House Democrats stalled George W. Bush's free-trade deal with Colombia, the move added to the list of moribund diplomatic initiatives that the Administration had hoped would revive his presidency in its fading months. Talks on Israeli-Palestinian peace, North Korean nuclear weapons and missile-defense cooperation with Russia are all in trouble, threatening any chance for a White House signing ceremony that could soften a foreign policy legacy dominated by the war in Iraq.

Things weren't always so bleak. Last November, Bush brought Palestinians and Israelis together in pursuit of a paper-only deal with minimal on-the-ground concessions in the hope of creating political momentum for peace. A good idea, until resurgent attacks by the militant Palestinian group Hamas made a paper-only deal seem like just that. Now even White House spokeswoman Dana Perino admits, "We have a hell of a lot of work to do."

Odds-on favorites for diplomatic success are also in trouble. At talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed open to a deal on missile defense, but the White House couldn't convince him that its proposed Europe-based system would not pose a threat to Russia. At home, Democrats emboldened by Bush's weak numbers and their own rising electoral prospects in November are loath to hand him a win, even on trade deals with allies like South Korea and Panama.

Worst of all, a nuclear deal with North Korea that had seemed within reach has foundered. Although leader Kim Jong Il has reportedly agreed to detail the extent of his arsenal by the end of April, hints of softer U.S. terms, according to Bush's former top North Korea expert, Michael Green, project to allies the "appearance of desperation" in pursuit of a signing ceremony. Which is definitely not the diplomatic legacy Bush had in mind.