While E. J. Dionne is fretting that the irritant presence of President-elect Trump will deprive President Obama of the quiet repose he so longs for, Dana Milbank has been complaining that our retiring president hasn’t been getting much praise. “For a man who has achieved so much, Obama….must be wondering where the gratitude is,” he informs us. “After eight years of achievements, it must vex the president” that more people aren’t giving him thanks.

This unhappy columnist must not be looking, as the grateful are surely among us, and more than eager to tell us how happy they are. Assad of course is grateful that Obama did nothing when he crossed the “red line” that Obama had set him. The Islamic State is glad he allowed it to flourish — “The J.V.,” he called it as it geared up for action. And Russia is happy he did nothing to interfere with its ambitions regarding its neighbors, Ukraine and Crimea. Syria, Russia and Iran all expanded their influence during his tenure, so they are all happy. And happiest of all must be the Republicans, who feared the worst when Obama took office, and are now facing their most promising prospects in years.