The worst of it for the GOP will come when they realize that the possibilities Obama has created actually call into question whether Republicans can ever again restore committed unity to their foreign policy within the framework of their party.
Labour said it had "serious concerns" about the future of UK development policy at a time when there should be "unity and pride" over the decision to honour a commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on aid.
Senator John McCain, a Republican presidential aspirant, emphasised that he voted for air strikes in order to produce unity in crisis, not because he supported the president's policy.
The business community prides itself on its coalitions, joint policy statements and white papers, all of which are helpful and do show a degree of unity.