Barrack Obama marched into the Whitehouse with a promise to open a dialogue with his nation's enemies - to seek common ground even when geography, economics, politics and religion divide us.

So what does it mean when even those we have considered our friends have been trying to use our common ground against us?

Already under siege for his all-too-temperate reaction to terror plots, oil spills and economic woes, Obama now finds himself in the worst possible situation: To assuage the anger of average Americans over news that our post Cold War allies have been engaged in a sophisticated operation intended to penetrate Washington's wonkishly beating heart, he must react with the fury of a scorned lover.

But to maintain the cooperation of the Russians as the U.S. seeks to rebuild the global economy, win the war in Afghanistan and continue humanity's journey into space, Obama will have to play the role of the submissive spouse who forgives - and even pledges to forget - past transgressions.

As politically savvy as Obama is, he cannot hope to fill both of those roles.

Either way, the chief executive must preside over a swift and successful prosecution of the alleged spies. States involved in espionage understand the stakes, and the Russians will not protest such a response.

But that, alone, will not satisfy American bloodlust over this deep affront from our (former?) enemy. Nor should it. And so Obama will have to take other measures - ending his support for Russia's bid for membership in the World Trade Organization, for instance - to demonstrate that the United States does take this affront lightly.

That will, however, result in backlash from the Russians, upon whom Obama is relying as part of his plans to keep American astronauts in space, and keep American military members as safe by maintaining an airbase in Kyrgyzstan from which the U.S. is prosecuting part of the war in Afghanistan.

And what of the other areas in which the U.S. and Russia have already found common ground? What of sanctions in Iran and missile defense and a slowdown to NATO expansion? How fragile are these vital diplomatic arrangements?

Is this the thanks Obama gets for holding his friends close? Apparently.

And, to add insult to injury, it will likely cost him any hopes of reelection. Americans have shown the fortitude to stand and take the punches of our enemies, but we do not take well to being slapped by our friends. And we will not support leaders who offer up the other cheek - even if there is no other option but to do so.