The Soviets once threatened to hang the capitalists (the United States) with the rope that we sell them (“Played by Putin,” Editorial, Oct. 18).

Judging from what I am seeing in the White House now, I believe that prediction may be coming true for Russia.

We are being led by left-wing incompetent radicals who do not like our system of government, and they’re taking it apart, piece by piece.

Michael Sara

Matawan, NJ

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“Played by Putin” expresses the fundamental flaw that now inhibits America’s foreign policy.

This universal paradigm of forgiving the enemy at any cost almost always suffers its cost in human life.

The Russians rely on cumulative knowledge of past negotiation with the United States in formulating policy.

We, on the other hand, are being lulled into the false realism that showing weakness to the power hungry bear will somehow stop him from eating us.

Not so. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, a masterful chessman, plays to his nation’s power, while Obama sends him hugs and kisses.

Theodore Miraldi

The Bronx

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You are right to decry President Obama’s foray into foreign affairs, a tricky terrain to which he brings no particular expertise.

The foreign-policy theme of this administration was established early on when our young president embarked on a European tour of apology in the misguided belief that rogue states would requite our groveling with a little backing-and-filling of their own.

Our president’s vapor-laden aspirations for a nuclear-arms- free world and inter- national comity, combined with his almost disdainful dismissal of American exceptionalism, may thrill acolytes on the left and garner all sorts of once-respected awards, but they are nothing more than pellucid fantasies, nightmares really, because of the dangers they invite.

Paul Bloustein

Cincinnati