Posted by DipNote Bloggers on Jan 20, 2009 - 11:40 AM
![President Obama stands with Secretary of State-designate Clinton in Chicago, Dec. 1, 2008. [AP]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2009_0120_obama_clinton_bh_m.jpg)
What foreign policy objectives should the Obama Administration establish as its top priorities?
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Rob in Kuwait writes:
As an American expat here in q8, at the risk of stating the obvious, difficult as it may be, getting something done with I/P should be the top priority. Needs to be. Putting a ton of stuff aside, to see the local/regional media around here, describing it as less than balanced is an early contender for understatement of the year. Plenty of front-page pictures of dead children, columns with lines like "Surely the Jews will cease to exist."
Much as there's seemingly at least some right and wrong on both sides, a lot of people in the Middle East have had and are having a steady diet of "It's all the other side's fault." As hardened and angry as the views are, it's only getting worse.
Posted on Thu Jan 22, 2009
As an American expat here in q8, at the risk of stating the obvious, difficult as it may be, getting something done with I/P should be the top priority. Needs to be. Putting a ton of stuff aside, to see the local/regional media around here, describing it as less than balanced is an early contender for understatement of the year. Plenty of front-page pictures of dead children, columns with lines like "Surely the Jews will cease to exist."
Much as there's seemingly at least some right and wrong on both sides, a lot of people in the Middle East have had and are having a steady diet of "It's all the other side's fault." As hardened and angry as the views are, it's only getting worse.
Posted on Thu Jan 22, 2009
Allen in Washington writes:
I am thrilled to hear George Mitchell will be serving as Mideast envoy. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is clearly a top priority.
I would like to see Cuban relations begin to move toward normalization.
Additionally I think that our Latin American policy in general should move towards tying trade to human rights.
I would pose a controversial idea: that we reconsider the way the war on drugs is funded and how it is carried out. My suggestion with regard to Marijuana is to remove Federal penalties, allow the states to prioritize it as they see fit, and move off interdiction as the primary focus. My theory is that by doing so you would cause the street price to drop as demand falls off, thus removing profits.
Posted on Thu Jan 22, 2009
I am thrilled to hear George Mitchell will be serving as Mideast envoy. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is clearly a top priority.
I would like to see Cuban relations begin to move toward normalization.
Additionally I think that our Latin American policy in general should move towards tying trade to human rights.
I would pose a controversial idea: that we reconsider the way the war on drugs is funded and how it is carried out. My suggestion with regard to Marijuana is to remove Federal penalties, allow the states to prioritize it as they see fit, and move off interdiction as the primary focus. My theory is that by doing so you would cause the street price to drop as demand falls off, thus removing profits.
Posted on Thu Jan 22, 2009
Sam writes:
Do we really want to close our excellent facility at Guantanamo Bay Cuba? The place has history; in chapter three of Benjamin Witte?s book, Law and the Long War, a detailed description of the camp is given. It would be the ideal location to house illegal aliens prior to deportation. GITMO could be use by DHS/ICE to house all non violent detainees both men and women. I?m sure GITMO meets the minimum standards set forth in the following documentation (http://www.ice.gov/partners/dro/PBNDS/index.htm ). Instead of each State housing illegal?s in its own ICE facility, Guantanamo Bay could be the holding and processing point for deportations nationwide. This might be a cost effective solution for the taxpayer. The book goes on to say that GITMO has excellent communication capabilities and can be accessed by boat and aircraft. Why close the place when it could be used for other purposes. If a bird flu pandemic were to breakout where would we quarantine folks? One of the many unintended consequences of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has been the incarceration of so called illegal combatants. Yet.. . It troubles me that an individual stopped and finger printed in Kirkuk Iraq by US Military personnel, generates a positive criminal database hit for a crime/conviction in Detroit Michigan. Something needs to be done to keep non US citizens for staying in the US if they have committed a crime. They should serve time or be immediately deported if they are on a visa or in the country illegally. It?s incredibly easy to move around in the US, you don?t even have to show ID to board a bus at a Gray Hound bus terminal. All this being said; closing GITMO is not the right move. I mean you aren?t going to mothball the aircraft you used for extraordinary renditions. The airplane(s) is not guilty of human rights violations. You aren?t going to close military bases just because they might have been used to hold terror suspects before sending them to countries where more aggressive interrogation methods could be legally utilized. It just does not make since. Send the detainees back to where they belong and use the facility for something else. PS: The book Ghost Plane by Stephen Grey was excellent!! http://www.covertradioshow.com/podcast.cfm?pid=145
Posted on Thu Jan 22, 2009
Do we really want to close our excellent facility at Guantanamo Bay Cuba? The place has history; in chapter three of Benjamin Witte?s book, Law and the Long War, a detailed description of the camp is given. It would be the ideal location to house illegal aliens prior to deportation. GITMO could be use by DHS/ICE to house all non violent detainees both men and women. I?m sure GITMO meets the minimum standards set forth in the following documentation (http://www.ice.gov/partners/dro/PBNDS/index.htm ). Instead of each State housing illegal?s in its own ICE facility, Guantanamo Bay could be the holding and processing point for deportations nationwide. This might be a cost effective solution for the taxpayer. The book goes on to say that GITMO has excellent communication capabilities and can be accessed by boat and aircraft. Why close the place when it could be used for other purposes. If a bird flu pandemic were to breakout where would we quarantine folks? One of the many unintended consequences of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has been the incarceration of so called illegal combatants. Yet.. . It troubles me that an individual stopped and finger printed in Kirkuk Iraq by US Military personnel, generates a positive criminal database hit for a crime/conviction in Detroit Michigan. Something needs to be done to keep non US citizens for staying in the US if they have committed a crime. They should serve time or be immediately deported if they are on a visa or in the country illegally. It?s incredibly easy to move around in the US, you don?t even have to show ID to board a bus at a Gray Hound bus terminal. All this being said; closing GITMO is not the right move. I mean you aren?t going to mothball the aircraft you used for extraordinary renditions. The airplane(s) is not guilty of human rights violations. You aren?t going to close military bases just because they might have been used to hold terror suspects before sending them to countries where more aggressive interrogation methods could be legally utilized. It just does not make since. Send the detainees back to where they belong and use the facility for something else. PS: The book Ghost Plane by Stephen Grey was excellent!! http://www.covertradioshow.com/podcast.cfm?pid=145
Posted on Thu Jan 22, 2009
Chatterjee in India writes:
Stregthen UN army and it's dispute monitoring system so that it can play both more pro-active and active role resolution of dispute anywhere in world so that no individual country has to intervene militarily anywhere in the world except in self defence.
Mobilise U.S. resources for alleviation of poverty in developing countries in a manner which helps it overcome recession now and establish an economic order based on strength of each country and promoting consumption and free flow of goods and services among all nations of the world. For example: U.S. must open channels of cooperation with India in the field of agriculture to create market for U.S. agricultural surplus by helping India to shift it's farming pattern to alternative crops, invigorate India's food processing sector for economic empowerment at grass root level for increased demand of goods and services from devloped countries. Similarly, India and U.S. must cooperate in housing sector (PURA like projects.) I would be happy to associate myself with orgo like USAID for designing and execute a program prototype in India ideally.
U.S. must get to the depth of Chinese ultimate foreign policy objectives and challenges posed by them to countries in Asia and rest of the world including USA.
U.S. must evolve a response to Chinese challenge by involving empowring countries of South Asia and South East Asia.
U.S. must promote growth of population in Europe, Japan and Australia to generate demand of goods and services in next 5 years onwards.
The above thoughts are inspired by one basic thought all nations must empower it's people to create market for all kinds of goods and services. This is not to say that sometime all countries have to moderate consumption and production in a calibrated manner for optimal utilisation of world resources.
Posted on Thu Jan 22, 2009
Stregthen UN army and it's dispute monitoring system so that it can play both more pro-active and active role resolution of dispute anywhere in world so that no individual country has to intervene militarily anywhere in the world except in self defence.
Mobilise U.S. resources for alleviation of poverty in developing countries in a manner which helps it overcome recession now and establish an economic order based on strength of each country and promoting consumption and free flow of goods and services among all nations of the world. For example: U.S. must open channels of cooperation with India in the field of agriculture to create market for U.S. agricultural surplus by helping India to shift it's farming pattern to alternative crops, invigorate India's food processing sector for economic empowerment at grass root level for increased demand of goods and services from devloped countries. Similarly, India and U.S. must cooperate in housing sector (PURA like projects.) I would be happy to associate myself with orgo like USAID for designing and execute a program prototype in India ideally.
U.S. must get to the depth of Chinese ultimate foreign policy objectives and challenges posed by them to countries in Asia and rest of the world including USA.
U.S. must evolve a response to Chinese challenge by involving empowring countries of South Asia and South East Asia.
U.S. must promote growth of population in Europe, Japan and Australia to generate demand of goods and services in next 5 years onwards.
The above thoughts are inspired by one basic thought all nations must empower it's people to create market for all kinds of goods and services. This is not to say that sometime all countries have to moderate consumption and production in a calibrated manner for optimal utilisation of world resources.
Posted on Thu Jan 22, 2009
Melinda in California writes:
It is difficult to decide what foreign policy objective(s) to focus on; unfortunately, the choices out there are too numerous to contemplate. We need to fix our own country FIRST; only by fixing Domestic Policy can we repair our reputation with the foreign community.
Extend the olive branch to all countries who wish to be our ally, and let them come to us. Look to the successful domestic policies of other countries and LEARN from them (i.e., Education policy in Asian countries)and APPLY those successful policies. Let the United Nations be the World's Police Force, and trust that justice will prevail. Repeal NAFTA (sorry, Secretary Clinton)-bring those jobs back to the USA. Stop accepting bribes from Big Corporations who want to influence the way Foreign Policy is written to begin with.
But that doesn't mean we have to run away with our tails between our legs to lick our wounds; even the best adversaries know when to retreat to their respective corners and regroup!
Once we pick OURSELVES up, dust OURSELVES off, and move OURSELVES forward, can we once again be the United States that the world USED TO look up to.
Posted on Thu Jan 22, 2009
It is difficult to decide what foreign policy objective(s) to focus on; unfortunately, the choices out there are too numerous to contemplate. We need to fix our own country FIRST; only by fixing Domestic Policy can we repair our reputation with the foreign community.
Extend the olive branch to all countries who wish to be our ally, and let them come to us. Look to the successful domestic policies of other countries and LEARN from them (i.e., Education policy in Asian countries)and APPLY those successful policies. Let the United Nations be the World's Police Force, and trust that justice will prevail. Repeal NAFTA (sorry, Secretary Clinton)-bring those jobs back to the USA. Stop accepting bribes from Big Corporations who want to influence the way Foreign Policy is written to begin with.
But that doesn't mean we have to run away with our tails between our legs to lick our wounds; even the best adversaries know when to retreat to their respective corners and regroup!
Once we pick OURSELVES up, dust OURSELVES off, and move OURSELVES forward, can we once again be the United States that the world USED TO look up to.
Posted on Thu Jan 22, 2009
Theresa in Iowa writes:
Exerting all efforts to make make Israel honor the 1967 boundaries and give the Palestinians back their land and avert another war. Israel must NOT be allowed to use settler colonialism and U.S. weapons to build "greater Israel". They must be a SECULAR, MULTICULTURAL state - or it will be war war war -- funded by Brooklyn Jews and Texas Evangelists.
PLEASE stop selling arms to Israel, and talk to Hamas and Fatah to form a coalition, and get the Israelis back within their borders. It's the #1 problem in the world, and AIPAC doesn't run the country, they just TELL you they do.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Exerting all efforts to make make Israel honor the 1967 boundaries and give the Palestinians back their land and avert another war. Israel must NOT be allowed to use settler colonialism and U.S. weapons to build "greater Israel". They must be a SECULAR, MULTICULTURAL state - or it will be war war war -- funded by Brooklyn Jews and Texas Evangelists.
PLEASE stop selling arms to Israel, and talk to Hamas and Fatah to form a coalition, and get the Israelis back within their borders. It's the #1 problem in the world, and AIPAC doesn't run the country, they just TELL you they do.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Nathan in U.S.A. writes:
The Obama Administration should set as their top priorities the following:
1. Decrease the hegemonic approach to global solutions. In such an interconnected world, there is very little use for unilateral actions from the United States.
2. Eliminating and/or decreasing the use of U.S. contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan. For some projects this may not be completely obtainable; however, for the smaller projects, NGOs have proven to be able to make more effective use of money and have much less overhead costs.
3. Ending the "War on Terror". The name itself is horrendous for the fact that you cannot win a war on terror. Terrorism is not something tangible that you can fight-its an ideal.
4. Winning over the minds of the global youth. The only reason that terrorist elements are able to recruit people to join their ranks, is because the children have nothing. They often grow up in impoverished areas, which provides no true school. These children are then offered some money to go and learn at a madrasah, where in turn they are taught a false version of Islam. Education, not war, is the answer. For further information on this subject I would direct you to read Greg Mortenson's book titled "Three Cups of Tea." Further information can be found in a quick google search. Mr. Mortenson is the Executive Director of the Central Asia Institute. [Also may I add-the fact that the State Department has offered the CAI 2M dollars in funding, but its dependent upon when & where the government decides the funds to be used is just awful. I think Mr. Mortenson's work speaks for itself as he's been able to build schools and travel to remote villages in Pakistan and Afganistan. I surely hope this stance changes in the future.]
5. Human Rights & Human Trafficking & Asylum. Human Trafficking is the most horrendous violation of a person's rights. The issue is not talked much about because its horrendous to think about, yet there is much work that needs to be done. In the United States alone, we have people who are trafficked here and forced to work in brothels.
Ultimately, our foreign policy cannot be triaged. Our world has many problems and there are only so many solutions. Our goals the past few years has been selfish and lacked foresight. We need to as a global community come together and discuss real issues. The cold war mentality has to go. How are we to ever have global peace and prosperity if we refuse to talk with people whose ideas differ from our own. I believe the ethnocentric foreign policy approach we have taken has failed our nation greatly.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
The Obama Administration should set as their top priorities the following:
1. Decrease the hegemonic approach to global solutions. In such an interconnected world, there is very little use for unilateral actions from the United States.
2. Eliminating and/or decreasing the use of U.S. contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan. For some projects this may not be completely obtainable; however, for the smaller projects, NGOs have proven to be able to make more effective use of money and have much less overhead costs.
3. Ending the "War on Terror". The name itself is horrendous for the fact that you cannot win a war on terror. Terrorism is not something tangible that you can fight-its an ideal.
4. Winning over the minds of the global youth. The only reason that terrorist elements are able to recruit people to join their ranks, is because the children have nothing. They often grow up in impoverished areas, which provides no true school. These children are then offered some money to go and learn at a madrasah, where in turn they are taught a false version of Islam. Education, not war, is the answer. For further information on this subject I would direct you to read Greg Mortenson's book titled "Three Cups of Tea." Further information can be found in a quick google search. Mr. Mortenson is the Executive Director of the Central Asia Institute. [Also may I add-the fact that the State Department has offered the CAI 2M dollars in funding, but its dependent upon when & where the government decides the funds to be used is just awful. I think Mr. Mortenson's work speaks for itself as he's been able to build schools and travel to remote villages in Pakistan and Afganistan. I surely hope this stance changes in the future.]
5. Human Rights & Human Trafficking & Asylum. Human Trafficking is the most horrendous violation of a person's rights. The issue is not talked much about because its horrendous to think about, yet there is much work that needs to be done. In the United States alone, we have people who are trafficked here and forced to work in brothels.
Ultimately, our foreign policy cannot be triaged. Our world has many problems and there are only so many solutions. Our goals the past few years has been selfish and lacked foresight. We need to as a global community come together and discuss real issues. The cold war mentality has to go. How are we to ever have global peace and prosperity if we refuse to talk with people whose ideas differ from our own. I believe the ethnocentric foreign policy approach we have taken has failed our nation greatly.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Constance in Massachusetts writes:
Peace in the Middle East -- achieved through diplomacy, beginning with extensive, personal, private (totally out of the limelight) discussions between the Secretary of State and Queen Noor of Jordan, who has a fantastic grasp of the situation. (If one wants change, one must do something different.)
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Peace in the Middle East -- achieved through diplomacy, beginning with extensive, personal, private (totally out of the limelight) discussions between the Secretary of State and Queen Noor of Jordan, who has a fantastic grasp of the situation. (If one wants change, one must do something different.)
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Joe in Tennessee writes:
LOVED Obamas spin on Hemmingways: The world breaks everyone and afterward many are stronger in the broken places. PERFECT....
1. Economic viability and stability. Like it or not, we are a democracy premised on monetary trade; regardless of the terminology you wish to use to identify it. The creation of the European dollar combined with the stability of other world powers who may decide not to continue using U.S. currency is a realistic problem and hits the average American in every respect. Warren Buffett put it best: We have a Pearl Harbor economic situation right now and is going to work with the current Administration.
2. New methodology of diplomacy. We seemed to be strong where we did not need be and weak where we should have. This is hindsight and Russia is the prime example. Due to being outmaneuvered and with our pants down, we over reacted and created a rift diplomatically. Russia is not the Russia of old, but a stronger one with much more Nationalistic support of its people for the government and a democracy exist which once never was. Our view of Putin pulling in the ropes to get control of his country as a KGB ideology when the free market path went array was his responsibility as a leader for the greater good of his people. He never said he was going to wave an American Flag as a leader, but put his country back to its rightful place. Whatever politics Putin played in between, the mistake was our own. He has always been open about his overviews. We were simply suckered and having been in DC, the last people to say they made a mistake are the specialist. China is another example and has to be handled separately, not linearly as if it were Russia. India is another separate problem, while the U.S. has outsourced many of our computer programming and service related jobs there, it has come at a greater cost than anticipated and while it has strong ties to Russia, the purchase of an entire military force shows they want independence and will soon be population greater than China and better educated.
3. Putting out the fires. We need a much stronger view in putting out the fires world wide as there are times in which diplomacy will simply not work and to think such will result in many more Rwanda's.
4. HOPE above all the cry of HOPE is what America stands for and that ideology for Freedom and human respect must never be lost. While we put out the olive branch first, we must take action quicker when the hand does not open to accept it. Perhaps this should be first?
5. Counterfeiting of currency: The amount of counterfeit monies worldwide alone cause the alteration of many world currencies. While we tend to view only narcotics, arms trade and human trafficking as the major money makers, the simplest of all methods have been used in astronomical amounts in the last decade. Why it has been overlooked is very questionable to say the least.
6. Crime. Crime is a social element. Like the herding instinct: When crime is not organized, it becomes terroristic and political in nature-and seeks itself at the extreme ends in quantity. When it is organized too much, it becomes a control element with power exceeding much political leadership worldwide. Since it will always exist, a methodology for control must be established by world governments. IT is a reality.
7. Working with the UN to deal with corporate greed and establish something like the Logan act. The countries most in view of this are France, Germany, China and the U.S. -- it is not the countries Governments; but, the greed of corporations that deliberately violate their home countries laws by relocation. Imagine, the very machetes that were used in the genocide in Rwanda came from France, drafted through a French bank that took US currency, meant for the people in rebuilding; but, used for its own purpose claiming insolvency. There must be a stronger set of enforcable laws within the UN to make corporations accountable. Many of the woes of our world are directly related to Greed and nothing more...we need to be builders.
Amon...
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
LOVED Obamas spin on Hemmingways: The world breaks everyone and afterward many are stronger in the broken places. PERFECT....
1. Economic viability and stability. Like it or not, we are a democracy premised on monetary trade; regardless of the terminology you wish to use to identify it. The creation of the European dollar combined with the stability of other world powers who may decide not to continue using U.S. currency is a realistic problem and hits the average American in every respect. Warren Buffett put it best: We have a Pearl Harbor economic situation right now and is going to work with the current Administration.
2. New methodology of diplomacy. We seemed to be strong where we did not need be and weak where we should have. This is hindsight and Russia is the prime example. Due to being outmaneuvered and with our pants down, we over reacted and created a rift diplomatically. Russia is not the Russia of old, but a stronger one with much more Nationalistic support of its people for the government and a democracy exist which once never was. Our view of Putin pulling in the ropes to get control of his country as a KGB ideology when the free market path went array was his responsibility as a leader for the greater good of his people. He never said he was going to wave an American Flag as a leader, but put his country back to its rightful place. Whatever politics Putin played in between, the mistake was our own. He has always been open about his overviews. We were simply suckered and having been in DC, the last people to say they made a mistake are the specialist. China is another example and has to be handled separately, not linearly as if it were Russia. India is another separate problem, while the U.S. has outsourced many of our computer programming and service related jobs there, it has come at a greater cost than anticipated and while it has strong ties to Russia, the purchase of an entire military force shows they want independence and will soon be population greater than China and better educated.
3. Putting out the fires. We need a much stronger view in putting out the fires world wide as there are times in which diplomacy will simply not work and to think such will result in many more Rwanda's.
4. HOPE above all the cry of HOPE is what America stands for and that ideology for Freedom and human respect must never be lost. While we put out the olive branch first, we must take action quicker when the hand does not open to accept it. Perhaps this should be first?
5. Counterfeiting of currency: The amount of counterfeit monies worldwide alone cause the alteration of many world currencies. While we tend to view only narcotics, arms trade and human trafficking as the major money makers, the simplest of all methods have been used in astronomical amounts in the last decade. Why it has been overlooked is very questionable to say the least.
6. Crime. Crime is a social element. Like the herding instinct: When crime is not organized, it becomes terroristic and political in nature-and seeks itself at the extreme ends in quantity. When it is organized too much, it becomes a control element with power exceeding much political leadership worldwide. Since it will always exist, a methodology for control must be established by world governments. IT is a reality.
7. Working with the UN to deal with corporate greed and establish something like the Logan act. The countries most in view of this are France, Germany, China and the U.S. -- it is not the countries Governments; but, the greed of corporations that deliberately violate their home countries laws by relocation. Imagine, the very machetes that were used in the genocide in Rwanda came from France, drafted through a French bank that took US currency, meant for the people in rebuilding; but, used for its own purpose claiming insolvency. There must be a stronger set of enforcable laws within the UN to make corporations accountable. Many of the woes of our world are directly related to Greed and nothing more...we need to be builders.
Amon...
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Sean in Washington, DC writes:
Congratulations President Obama!!!! Regarding Foreign Policy and Iran in particular, one very simple but powerful thing you could do is the Obama's and Clinton's could go to one of the amazing Persian restauruants in DC (like the message that was sent by visiting Ben's Chilli Bowl). This will send a very powerful message to the people of Iran -- that their ancient culture and delicious food is loved and appreciated, and that they too can also have change they can believe in ... and one day restore their country to the values and ideals that once made them, many generations ago, a shining example of human rights, civilization and noble values.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Congratulations President Obama!!!! Regarding Foreign Policy and Iran in particular, one very simple but powerful thing you could do is the Obama's and Clinton's could go to one of the amazing Persian restauruants in DC (like the message that was sent by visiting Ben's Chilli Bowl). This will send a very powerful message to the people of Iran -- that their ancient culture and delicious food is loved and appreciated, and that they too can also have change they can believe in ... and one day restore their country to the values and ideals that once made them, many generations ago, a shining example of human rights, civilization and noble values.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Scott in California writes:
Rebuilding existing alliances should be priority number one because all other objectives are unattainable without it. So-called "soft power", almost universally acknowledged by serious policymakers as the basis for America's strength, relies on economic, political and cultural cooperation. Right now these relationships are at their nadir. However, America and Europe can build new bridges in the context of working through the current financial turmoil. With increased confidence in our democratic partners -- and them in us -- we can present a united front in addressing critical foreign policy concerns like the Middle East, Russia and the (hopefully) peaceful rise of China.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Rebuilding existing alliances should be priority number one because all other objectives are unattainable without it. So-called "soft power", almost universally acknowledged by serious policymakers as the basis for America's strength, relies on economic, political and cultural cooperation. Right now these relationships are at their nadir. However, America and Europe can build new bridges in the context of working through the current financial turmoil. With increased confidence in our democratic partners -- and them in us -- we can present a united front in addressing critical foreign policy concerns like the Middle East, Russia and the (hopefully) peaceful rise of China.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Jonathan in Texas writes:
I was watching Obama get sworn in and watched the address while sitting next to an African American man. He was choked up and he was talking to me a little bit. He said something that will stick with me forever, he said "my grandma told me that I could be anything in the world but the President of the United States, now this changes that."
I have never been so inspired in my life. I have never felt that any president could lead us to repairing foreign relations, rebuilding the economy through the middle-class, bettering education and investing in alternative fuel until now. I am so proud of man who would have been oppressed in the 1960s, a son of a Kenyan and now our President. He fought through people making fun of his name, people saying he went to a Muslim elementary school and even saying he had no birth certificate. I knew we had something different by the way he ran his campaign and inspired not only minorities but white Americans as well. I look forward to him repairing the last 8 years of mistakes and putting faith back into this country.
President Obama is the American Dream!
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
I was watching Obama get sworn in and watched the address while sitting next to an African American man. He was choked up and he was talking to me a little bit. He said something that will stick with me forever, he said "my grandma told me that I could be anything in the world but the President of the United States, now this changes that."
I have never been so inspired in my life. I have never felt that any president could lead us to repairing foreign relations, rebuilding the economy through the middle-class, bettering education and investing in alternative fuel until now. I am so proud of man who would have been oppressed in the 1960s, a son of a Kenyan and now our President. He fought through people making fun of his name, people saying he went to a Muslim elementary school and even saying he had no birth certificate. I knew we had something different by the way he ran his campaign and inspired not only minorities but white Americans as well. I look forward to him repairing the last 8 years of mistakes and putting faith back into this country.
President Obama is the American Dream!
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
David C. in Illinois writes:
I think President Obama understands the power of public diplomacy and the importance of international education exchanges and international service. While not necessarily a top priority but one that is embedded within a "smart power" approach to foreign policy; increasing international educational exchange opportunities as well as international service opportunities (ie. President Obama's pledge to double the number of Peace Corps volunteers) is an important component of our foreign policy. These international opportunities do more than provide our citizens, and those from across the globe, with cross-cultural and mutual understanding which are important components of peace. International education and service opportunities play an important role in our international commerce activities as we want a globally competent workforce if we are to compete in the global arena. Additionally, international education and service opportunities for our citizens have a critical role in our defense and intelligence operations as we need to have people who understand the cultures and speak the languages of the many countries that we consider foes and of our allies for that matter.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
I think President Obama understands the power of public diplomacy and the importance of international education exchanges and international service. While not necessarily a top priority but one that is embedded within a "smart power" approach to foreign policy; increasing international educational exchange opportunities as well as international service opportunities (ie. President Obama's pledge to double the number of Peace Corps volunteers) is an important component of our foreign policy. These international opportunities do more than provide our citizens, and those from across the globe, with cross-cultural and mutual understanding which are important components of peace. International education and service opportunities play an important role in our international commerce activities as we want a globally competent workforce if we are to compete in the global arena. Additionally, international education and service opportunities for our citizens have a critical role in our defense and intelligence operations as we need to have people who understand the cultures and speak the languages of the many countries that we consider foes and of our allies for that matter.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Jay in Florida writes:
Well, I think getting back to where people and governments in other countries *care* what we think is probably a pretty good idea...
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Well, I think getting back to where people and governments in other countries *care* what we think is probably a pretty good idea...
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Donald in Virginia writes:
21 January 09
FASCINATING READING THIS BLOG
I totally agree that the end of the Nuclear Arms race is coming. On many occasions I have written about Peace and ending the Nuclear race. In my most humble opinion we can operate power plants with a new type of energy that will accomplish the goals of the world. We have been dependent on oil and nuclear power for too long and paid the price for it over the years.
We cannot ever put ourselves in a situation where other Nations have them and we don't. There should be a strategic outline of all Nations withdrawing from the use of making such weapons in the world.
Opening a communication door with the country of Iran might just help our State Department get the details on missing Mr. Bob Levinson. It's about time the country of Iran be honest and forthcoming about the wherabouts of Mr. Bob Levinson for his family sake. A new administration means a real good positive step towards building new bridges to the future and ending the bad blood between our Nations.
My question for the country of Iran is simple:
Is Mr. Bob Levinson located in your Nation? We in the United States have an interest to know the status of one of our Americans? There is a saying, "Let the truth set you free" It would behove the country of Iran to deport him back to the United States to his family who cares about him. This would be a first good step by the Iran Leader to show some good face and gain respect to our Nation.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
21 January 09
FASCINATING READING THIS BLOG
I totally agree that the end of the Nuclear Arms race is coming. On many occasions I have written about Peace and ending the Nuclear race. In my most humble opinion we can operate power plants with a new type of energy that will accomplish the goals of the world. We have been dependent on oil and nuclear power for too long and paid the price for it over the years.
We cannot ever put ourselves in a situation where other Nations have them and we don't. There should be a strategic outline of all Nations withdrawing from the use of making such weapons in the world.
Opening a communication door with the country of Iran might just help our State Department get the details on missing Mr. Bob Levinson. It's about time the country of Iran be honest and forthcoming about the wherabouts of Mr. Bob Levinson for his family sake. A new administration means a real good positive step towards building new bridges to the future and ending the bad blood between our Nations.
My question for the country of Iran is simple:
Is Mr. Bob Levinson located in your Nation? We in the United States have an interest to know the status of one of our Americans? There is a saying, "Let the truth set you free" It would behove the country of Iran to deport him back to the United States to his family who cares about him. This would be a first good step by the Iran Leader to show some good face and gain respect to our Nation.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Heidi in Illinois writes:
It is crucial that President Obama take swift action against Israel's bombing of the Gaza Strip for several key reasons: first, it is the only way to show the international community that the United States will abide by international law and collective engagement in its fight against terrorism. Second, this action is the only way to even have a chance at reversing the negative image that the international community has of the United States. In particular it is fundamental in order to seek possible middle eastern allies; the administration should remember that increasing the support of the population in these countries is just as important as influencing their governments in order to reduce terrorist influences. The second element to this action however, is how the United States should take action against Israel. It should be accomplished in such a way that emphasizes peace in the region, but also emphasizes that the United States will not tolerate the killing of civilians by state governments.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
It is crucial that President Obama take swift action against Israel's bombing of the Gaza Strip for several key reasons: first, it is the only way to show the international community that the United States will abide by international law and collective engagement in its fight against terrorism. Second, this action is the only way to even have a chance at reversing the negative image that the international community has of the United States. In particular it is fundamental in order to seek possible middle eastern allies; the administration should remember that increasing the support of the population in these countries is just as important as influencing their governments in order to reduce terrorist influences. The second element to this action however, is how the United States should take action against Israel. It should be accomplished in such a way that emphasizes peace in the region, but also emphasizes that the United States will not tolerate the killing of civilians by state governments.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Mahdad in Iran writes:
I wish President Obama and his Foreign Policy team Happiness , Good Health and Prosperity in their Foreign Policy endeavours and Undertakings including but not limited to:
1-End the Arab-Israeli Conflict.
2-Increase Counter-Terrosism Measures against Extremist and Terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and Taliban and Eradicate the Roots of Terrorism.
3-According to American Tradition Defend Human Rights Activists and Freedom lovers around the world.
4-Send strong signals to Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes in the Middle-East , Africa and Asia.
5-Strengthen Counterproliferation Efforts.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
I wish President Obama and his Foreign Policy team Happiness , Good Health and Prosperity in their Foreign Policy endeavours and Undertakings including but not limited to:
1-End the Arab-Israeli Conflict.
2-Increase Counter-Terrosism Measures against Extremist and Terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and Taliban and Eradicate the Roots of Terrorism.
3-According to American Tradition Defend Human Rights Activists and Freedom lovers around the world.
4-Send strong signals to Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes in the Middle-East , Africa and Asia.
5-Strengthen Counterproliferation Efforts.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Simon in Washington, DC writes:
1. Stop being a global bully and instigator. The blow-back from such policies is evident and has damaged the U.S. politically as well as physically.
2. Stop leaning too much on Israel. Right or wrong, such policy hurts U.S. policy and influence, especially in the Muslim world which spans from the Middle East to Indonesia.
3. Stop propping and supporting administrations and governments that are dictatorships and police states, especially those like Egypt, Pakistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia etc. U.S. support of undemocratic institutions and administrations only helps fan anti-U.S. sentiment.
4. Clean up the mess in Afghanistan. The U.S. has hurt itself by taking sides with the Northern Alliance and as a result bet the bank on Karzai. The Northern Alliance was non-Pashtun and very pro-India, which automatically pitched Pakistan in the other camp. The other camp was and is the Taliban, and Pakistan feels it has been pushed into a corner vis-a-vis Afghanistan and thus I dont blame it for watching out for its interests.
5. Stop India from playing the local bully in South Asia. China will only allow so much, and the U.S. is hurting its influence in the area by cosying up to India.
6. Sign the NPT. Allow the transfer and use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, especially energy generation. Accept and admit the unofficial nuclear club members (Israel, India, and Pakistan) into the elite club. By keeping them out and implementing sanctions only increases their efforts to seek nuclear options. The U.S. should act as the big brother, and seek a policy of watchful, yet controlled support. It is better for U.S. interests to have better insight into the nuclear capabilities of these countries, rather than promote (unwillingly) their covert nuclear programs.
7. Remove agricultural and trade subsidies. A level playing field for all will not only help U.S. interests and trade, but will also allow foreign agricultural economies to grow and evolve.
8. Peace with the Muslim world. The U.S. administration was/is hated in the Muslim world. Interestingly, the U.S. as a nation and her people are loved. Understand why the Muslim world hates the U.S. policies and government? I believe the answer lies in the blind support of Israeli policies and interests, the invasion and occupation of Iraq (which seeps of imperialism), and the botched up efforts in Afghanistan. Muslims globally think of the U.S. as a great nation, but one that will turn a blind eye to Israeli atrocities, make no qualms about killing and invading Muslim states, and will do its best to prop up token regimes.
9. Develop a track record of foreign invasions or operations, but follow that with nation building and "real" development aid. Too often token efforts to development by USAID are made, but often it is mere lip service. A perfect example is Afghanistan. The U.S. helped the Mujahideen win the war against the Russians, and then walked away without looking back -- that left a nation without any oversight or funds, and thus became a banana republic where anything went. The result = birth of fanatical groups like the Taliban!
10. Don't ditch your friends when the job is done. Pakistan has been a friend of the U.S. for many years, yet feels prostituted by the U.S. -- this has been repeated over the years, and now doesn't trust the US. Trust takes decades to build, but days to lose.
I wish the U.S. well -- it is a great nation and has some very smart and intelligent people in the foreign service. If the U.S. stuck to its founding principles and morals, it will reclaim its role as an esteemed leader. God Bless.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
1. Stop being a global bully and instigator. The blow-back from such policies is evident and has damaged the U.S. politically as well as physically.
2. Stop leaning too much on Israel. Right or wrong, such policy hurts U.S. policy and influence, especially in the Muslim world which spans from the Middle East to Indonesia.
3. Stop propping and supporting administrations and governments that are dictatorships and police states, especially those like Egypt, Pakistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia etc. U.S. support of undemocratic institutions and administrations only helps fan anti-U.S. sentiment.
4. Clean up the mess in Afghanistan. The U.S. has hurt itself by taking sides with the Northern Alliance and as a result bet the bank on Karzai. The Northern Alliance was non-Pashtun and very pro-India, which automatically pitched Pakistan in the other camp. The other camp was and is the Taliban, and Pakistan feels it has been pushed into a corner vis-a-vis Afghanistan and thus I dont blame it for watching out for its interests.
5. Stop India from playing the local bully in South Asia. China will only allow so much, and the U.S. is hurting its influence in the area by cosying up to India.
6. Sign the NPT. Allow the transfer and use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, especially energy generation. Accept and admit the unofficial nuclear club members (Israel, India, and Pakistan) into the elite club. By keeping them out and implementing sanctions only increases their efforts to seek nuclear options. The U.S. should act as the big brother, and seek a policy of watchful, yet controlled support. It is better for U.S. interests to have better insight into the nuclear capabilities of these countries, rather than promote (unwillingly) their covert nuclear programs.
7. Remove agricultural and trade subsidies. A level playing field for all will not only help U.S. interests and trade, but will also allow foreign agricultural economies to grow and evolve.
8. Peace with the Muslim world. The U.S. administration was/is hated in the Muslim world. Interestingly, the U.S. as a nation and her people are loved. Understand why the Muslim world hates the U.S. policies and government? I believe the answer lies in the blind support of Israeli policies and interests, the invasion and occupation of Iraq (which seeps of imperialism), and the botched up efforts in Afghanistan. Muslims globally think of the U.S. as a great nation, but one that will turn a blind eye to Israeli atrocities, make no qualms about killing and invading Muslim states, and will do its best to prop up token regimes.
9. Develop a track record of foreign invasions or operations, but follow that with nation building and "real" development aid. Too often token efforts to development by USAID are made, but often it is mere lip service. A perfect example is Afghanistan. The U.S. helped the Mujahideen win the war against the Russians, and then walked away without looking back -- that left a nation without any oversight or funds, and thus became a banana republic where anything went. The result = birth of fanatical groups like the Taliban!
10. Don't ditch your friends when the job is done. Pakistan has been a friend of the U.S. for many years, yet feels prostituted by the U.S. -- this has been repeated over the years, and now doesn't trust the US. Trust takes decades to build, but days to lose.
I wish the U.S. well -- it is a great nation and has some very smart and intelligent people in the foreign service. If the U.S. stuck to its founding principles and morals, it will reclaim its role as an esteemed leader. God Bless.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Maria in Russia writes:
I miss on Condoleeza Rice.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
I miss on Condoleeza Rice.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Pada in Thailand writes:
congratulations obama love you and your family.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
congratulations obama love you and your family.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Sam writes:
What must have been going thru the minds of the fellows at the American Enterprise Institute and there PNAC refugees today? Is this really how they thought the second Bush administration would end? Two wars, two million unemployed, a shattered economy, no oil flowing out of Iraq, Israeli troops back in Gaza and Fiat?s 35% stake in Chrysler! Was this the plan for the new American Century? Everyone seems to be doing their part to form this kinder gentler world power. Where the outgoing administration was too aggressive the incoming administration will be too passive. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is just one example. If you don?t test a few nukes every now and then, how do you know if they are going to work when you need them. PMI tells you to do a little batch testing for product verification and quality assurance! Last week I went eyes on a project a contractor had been billing to for about 18 months. The servers were in the rack but nothing was powered up. This was nothing more than an expensive static display. Taxpayers spend allot of money on the Triad/nuclear deterrent. According to the Discovery Channel $75 trillion dollars have been spent on nuclear weapons in the last 35 years. The concept of MAD has been and should continue to be a cornerstone for US strategic security. Do we need all the elements (submarines, bombers and land based assets); in the quantity we have now, probably not. But nuclear deterrence is needed for the safety of our citizens. The new Secretary?s policies should be as IT intensive as the outgoings. The America House with its internet cafe and the CTBT/International Monitoring System should keep technicians busy for the next 4 years. Mobile Diplomacy is a beautiful thing. A satellite phone, a BGAN terminal and a smile is all you need to make friends and influence people in faraway lands. I was an election observer a few years back. Pretty cool experience, I was using the Iridium phone one night (reporting) when I looked up and saw a LEO satellite flying by overhead. I watched the bird until it flew out of sight. To be honest with you I am looking forward to the next 4 years. It should be a great time.
http://www.france24.com/en/20090120-auto-industry-fiat-chrsyler-discuss-strategic-partnership
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
What must have been going thru the minds of the fellows at the American Enterprise Institute and there PNAC refugees today? Is this really how they thought the second Bush administration would end? Two wars, two million unemployed, a shattered economy, no oil flowing out of Iraq, Israeli troops back in Gaza and Fiat?s 35% stake in Chrysler! Was this the plan for the new American Century? Everyone seems to be doing their part to form this kinder gentler world power. Where the outgoing administration was too aggressive the incoming administration will be too passive. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is just one example. If you don?t test a few nukes every now and then, how do you know if they are going to work when you need them. PMI tells you to do a little batch testing for product verification and quality assurance! Last week I went eyes on a project a contractor had been billing to for about 18 months. The servers were in the rack but nothing was powered up. This was nothing more than an expensive static display. Taxpayers spend allot of money on the Triad/nuclear deterrent. According to the Discovery Channel $75 trillion dollars have been spent on nuclear weapons in the last 35 years. The concept of MAD has been and should continue to be a cornerstone for US strategic security. Do we need all the elements (submarines, bombers and land based assets); in the quantity we have now, probably not. But nuclear deterrence is needed for the safety of our citizens. The new Secretary?s policies should be as IT intensive as the outgoings. The America House with its internet cafe and the CTBT/International Monitoring System should keep technicians busy for the next 4 years. Mobile Diplomacy is a beautiful thing. A satellite phone, a BGAN terminal and a smile is all you need to make friends and influence people in faraway lands. I was an election observer a few years back. Pretty cool experience, I was using the Iridium phone one night (reporting) when I looked up and saw a LEO satellite flying by overhead. I watched the bird until it flew out of sight. To be honest with you I am looking forward to the next 4 years. It should be a great time.
http://www.france24.com/en/20090120-auto-industry-fiat-chrsyler-discuss-strategic-partnership
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Matt in California writes:
In general terms, the first priority should be to undo the damage done to American reputation overseas by the previous administration.
Yet at the same time, there are pressing international problems we must address immediately, we cannot wait for our restored reputation before addressing them. So we should use our actions to address the latter as part of our program to restor our reputation.
One such high priority problem is the pirates in the Horn of Africa. Putting these pirates out of business will be gratefully received all around the world.
Another high priority is to show leadership in the international financial community to put an end to the irresponsibility alluded to in the inagaural address: that irresponsibility that lead to the crash.
This is important because the international press is referring to the financial/economic crisis as "the most grave crisis that Captialism has ever lived through". And despite all the bad precedents we set, we still have the momentum to undo much of the damage with the good precedents we can (but so rarely do) set. The precedents we now need to set are not only for international initiatives (such as cooperation of central banks), but for smart regulation, regulation with a light but deft hand, which protects the free market from the dishonesty and irresponsibility that created the current financial/economic crisis.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
In general terms, the first priority should be to undo the damage done to American reputation overseas by the previous administration.
Yet at the same time, there are pressing international problems we must address immediately, we cannot wait for our restored reputation before addressing them. So we should use our actions to address the latter as part of our program to restor our reputation.
One such high priority problem is the pirates in the Horn of Africa. Putting these pirates out of business will be gratefully received all around the world.
Another high priority is to show leadership in the international financial community to put an end to the irresponsibility alluded to in the inagaural address: that irresponsibility that lead to the crash.
This is important because the international press is referring to the financial/economic crisis as "the most grave crisis that Captialism has ever lived through". And despite all the bad precedents we set, we still have the momentum to undo much of the damage with the good precedents we can (but so rarely do) set. The precedents we now need to set are not only for international initiatives (such as cooperation of central banks), but for smart regulation, regulation with a light but deft hand, which protects the free market from the dishonesty and irresponsibility that created the current financial/economic crisis.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Kim in Connecticut writes:
Close all foreign military bases and bring home all the Troops Now. End the criminal blockade of Cuba. Release the Cuban Five so they may return home to their loved ones in Cuba. End all military aid and military equipment sales to the Isreal government now. These measures are just some of what the first Socialist government in America would do. Obama will be unable to take these mesures because he is in the pocket of U.S. Business.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Close all foreign military bases and bring home all the Troops Now. End the criminal blockade of Cuba. Release the Cuban Five so they may return home to their loved ones in Cuba. End all military aid and military equipment sales to the Isreal government now. These measures are just some of what the first Socialist government in America would do. Obama will be unable to take these mesures because he is in the pocket of U.S. Business.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Jay in California writes:
Restoring the rule of law might be refreshing. Observing international law, treaties and conventions, rather than undermining them might be novel. Closing foreign military bases before cutting Social Security and Medicare as budget solutions might be more fair.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
Restoring the rule of law might be refreshing. Observing international law, treaties and conventions, rather than undermining them might be novel. Closing foreign military bases before cutting Social Security and Medicare as budget solutions might be more fair.
Posted on Wed Jan 21, 2009
SG in Massachusetts writes:
Stop being an imperialist - accept that U.S. is not God, U.S. does not have any God-given right to meddle, U.S. is just another nation, and accept that it is only because of a quirk of events that U.S. is a leading power (which can just as quickly go away - as is being evidenced now).
Stop unconditional aid to Israel - force them to sit on the table (Israel has simply no incentive for negotiation).
Build better image in Middle East.
Invade Pakistan. Don't withdraw from Iraq at this stage.
And... start teaching Mandarin in all the schools - it will be an essential skill for the coming century when U.S. bows to its communist masters in China. And f**k Fukuyama - history is still being written as we know it.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Stop being an imperialist - accept that U.S. is not God, U.S. does not have any God-given right to meddle, U.S. is just another nation, and accept that it is only because of a quirk of events that U.S. is a leading power (which can just as quickly go away - as is being evidenced now).
Stop unconditional aid to Israel - force them to sit on the table (Israel has simply no incentive for negotiation).
Build better image in Middle East.
Invade Pakistan. Don't withdraw from Iraq at this stage.
And... start teaching Mandarin in all the schools - it will be an essential skill for the coming century when U.S. bows to its communist masters in China. And f**k Fukuyama - history is still being written as we know it.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Andy in New York writes:
Assistance to the middle class and poor of countries where we are active.
This might mean providing monetary assistance to hard scrabble farmers inn Afghanistan; provide them with seed and other farming requirements to grow food, then buy the food from him once he's grown it and provide it to grocery stores in Afghanistan's cities and villages. In this way we might convince farmers to grow food instead of opium while garnering good will at the same time.
We could also help out farmers in Iraq and other places.
In South America we could buy up property in the rain forest and promote a sustainable business that collects fruit, nuts etc from the rain forest.
Find out if there are similar things we could take advantage of to develop good will in other places like Gaza etc. In each place find a trustworthy local to work with and get ideas. There are usually many involved with aid who would do.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Assistance to the middle class and poor of countries where we are active.
This might mean providing monetary assistance to hard scrabble farmers inn Afghanistan; provide them with seed and other farming requirements to grow food, then buy the food from him once he's grown it and provide it to grocery stores in Afghanistan's cities and villages. In this way we might convince farmers to grow food instead of opium while garnering good will at the same time.
We could also help out farmers in Iraq and other places.
In South America we could buy up property in the rain forest and promote a sustainable business that collects fruit, nuts etc from the rain forest.
Find out if there are similar things we could take advantage of to develop good will in other places like Gaza etc. In each place find a trustworthy local to work with and get ideas. There are usually many involved with aid who would do.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
David in Indiana writes:
In his Inaugural Address, the President spoke about reducing the nuclear threat. I hope the new administration moves swiftly on nuclear arms talks with Russia. It should press Congress finally to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban. I hope Secretary Clinton will reaffirm the declaration of Secretaries Vance and Christopher that the United States will not use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states, unless they are acting in alliance with a nuclear weapons power.
On talks with Iran, I hope we focus on the goal of preventing a nuclear weapon, while showing flexibility on where uranium enrichment for nuclear power is done. I hope our negotiators will explore former Undersecretary Pickering's proposal for an international consortium to enrich uranium in Iran, under strict inspection.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
In his Inaugural Address, the President spoke about reducing the nuclear threat. I hope the new administration moves swiftly on nuclear arms talks with Russia. It should press Congress finally to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban. I hope Secretary Clinton will reaffirm the declaration of Secretaries Vance and Christopher that the United States will not use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states, unless they are acting in alliance with a nuclear weapons power.
On talks with Iran, I hope we focus on the goal of preventing a nuclear weapon, while showing flexibility on where uranium enrichment for nuclear power is done. I hope our negotiators will explore former Undersecretary Pickering's proposal for an international consortium to enrich uranium in Iran, under strict inspection.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Antoine in North Carolina writes:
I would like to see the Obama administration take immediate and significant action concerning the Middle East. I would like to see a high level U.S. Special Envoy dedicated to the Middle East peace process. And perhaps a somewhat radical approach such as appealing directly to the people of Palestine, Gaza and Israel and bypassing the the self-serving relics who claim to be leaders while allowing decades of carnage to have occurred. Picture: Bill Clinton appealing directly to the people of Gaza, Palestine and Israel to create a grass-roots movement to find the peace for themselves, with U.S. help, that their leaders can't seem to formulate.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
I would like to see the Obama administration take immediate and significant action concerning the Middle East. I would like to see a high level U.S. Special Envoy dedicated to the Middle East peace process. And perhaps a somewhat radical approach such as appealing directly to the people of Palestine, Gaza and Israel and bypassing the the self-serving relics who claim to be leaders while allowing decades of carnage to have occurred. Picture: Bill Clinton appealing directly to the people of Gaza, Palestine and Israel to create a grass-roots movement to find the peace for themselves, with U.S. help, that their leaders can't seem to formulate.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Camilla in California writes:
Free trade for our friends in Colombia who've stood by us through thick and thin. We don't have many allies like that, allies who give rather than take.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Free trade for our friends in Colombia who've stood by us through thick and thin. We don't have many allies like that, allies who give rather than take.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Eric in New Mexico writes:
President Obama's Foreign Policy Objectives:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/foreign_policy/
The objectives won't be different from the last President's, but the tactics and focus must always adapt to changing circumstance.
On the flyleaf of my grandmother's book about Los Alamos, that I gave to Bill Clinton the day he was first elected President, I wrote, " This is a slice of times past, to give perspective on the present, so that in the future we can eliminate the threat of nuclear war. The greatest threat we face today is that terrorists will obtain nuclear weapons."
Having been in the construction industry much of my life, I can assure you all that we are in fact a nation of "nation builders" on many levels.
Politically speaking, since WW2, it has been through "on the job training". The mistakes made in the past, and the correctness of present, or future policy must share one thing, a willingness to look at truth over viewpoint (or party affiliation).
Well now, to the extent that it would appear to have been quoted in context in bi-parisan fashion for over eight years, gives me hope we're not too late to prevent that nightmare scenario from occuring.
In appreciation of MLK's invitation to think:
"Today there is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence. It is either nonviolence or nonexistence. I feel that we've got to look at this total thing anew and recognize that we must live together. That the whole world now it is one--not only geographically but it has to become one in terms of brotherly concern. Whether we live in America or Asia or Africa we are all tied in a single garment of destiny and whatever effects one directly, effects one in-directly.
"I'm concerned about living with my conscience and searching for that which is right and that which is true, and I cannot live with the idea of being just a conformist following a path that everybody else follows. And this has happened to us. As I've said in one of my books, so often we live by the philosophy 'Everybody's doing it, it must be alright.' We tend to determine what is right and wrong by taking a sort of Gallup poll of the majority opinion, and I don't think this is the way to get at what is right.
"Arnold Toynbee talks about the creative minority and I think more and more we must have in our world that creative minority that will take a stand for that which conscience tells them is right, even though it brings about criticism and misunderstanding and even abuse."
(Excerpted from a 1967 interview of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Arnold Michaelis.)
Inherently, change is viewed with suspicion, as a threat to culture and ways of tradition and ethical belief systems. As it applies to developing countries in this nuclear age, the post-cold war aftermath presents a vast paradox that present no easy solutions, and has culminated in the reality of the war on terrorism as it exists today.
One cannot simultaneously plan for the American dream, and prepare for Armageddon. But somehow managed to without an accident in defiance of probability and Murphy's Law.
But I stress here the biggest "what if?" is what we might have accomplished as the Human species had we chosen to live in peace, instead of fear after WW2.
I thank the Presidents, past and present for taking up the mantle of "Instigator in Chief" to create a saner, more hospitable world to raise kids in.
I hope we can find the answers to that question made manifest among the comunity of nations.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
President Obama's Foreign Policy Objectives:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/foreign_policy/
The objectives won't be different from the last President's, but the tactics and focus must always adapt to changing circumstance.
On the flyleaf of my grandmother's book about Los Alamos, that I gave to Bill Clinton the day he was first elected President, I wrote, " This is a slice of times past, to give perspective on the present, so that in the future we can eliminate the threat of nuclear war. The greatest threat we face today is that terrorists will obtain nuclear weapons."
Having been in the construction industry much of my life, I can assure you all that we are in fact a nation of "nation builders" on many levels.
Politically speaking, since WW2, it has been through "on the job training". The mistakes made in the past, and the correctness of present, or future policy must share one thing, a willingness to look at truth over viewpoint (or party affiliation).
Well now, to the extent that it would appear to have been quoted in context in bi-parisan fashion for over eight years, gives me hope we're not too late to prevent that nightmare scenario from occuring.
In appreciation of MLK's invitation to think:
"Today there is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence. It is either nonviolence or nonexistence. I feel that we've got to look at this total thing anew and recognize that we must live together. That the whole world now it is one--not only geographically but it has to become one in terms of brotherly concern. Whether we live in America or Asia or Africa we are all tied in a single garment of destiny and whatever effects one directly, effects one in-directly.
"I'm concerned about living with my conscience and searching for that which is right and that which is true, and I cannot live with the idea of being just a conformist following a path that everybody else follows. And this has happened to us. As I've said in one of my books, so often we live by the philosophy 'Everybody's doing it, it must be alright.' We tend to determine what is right and wrong by taking a sort of Gallup poll of the majority opinion, and I don't think this is the way to get at what is right.
"Arnold Toynbee talks about the creative minority and I think more and more we must have in our world that creative minority that will take a stand for that which conscience tells them is right, even though it brings about criticism and misunderstanding and even abuse."
(Excerpted from a 1967 interview of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Arnold Michaelis.)
Inherently, change is viewed with suspicion, as a threat to culture and ways of tradition and ethical belief systems. As it applies to developing countries in this nuclear age, the post-cold war aftermath presents a vast paradox that present no easy solutions, and has culminated in the reality of the war on terrorism as it exists today.
One cannot simultaneously plan for the American dream, and prepare for Armageddon. But somehow managed to without an accident in defiance of probability and Murphy's Law.
But I stress here the biggest "what if?" is what we might have accomplished as the Human species had we chosen to live in peace, instead of fear after WW2.
I thank the Presidents, past and present for taking up the mantle of "Instigator in Chief" to create a saner, more hospitable world to raise kids in.
I hope we can find the answers to that question made manifest among the comunity of nations.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
James in New Jersey writes:
Do more to bring home abducted children such as Sean Goldman. Hold responsible the nations that fail to keep their promises.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Do more to bring home abducted children such as Sean Goldman. Hold responsible the nations that fail to keep their promises.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Donald in Virginia writes:
I would like to welcome the new Administration and say we are all Americans. The ghost that has haunted President Bill Clinton and plagued President George W. Bush is Usama Bin Laden and needs to be captured for humanity. I'm the guy for the job.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
I would like to welcome the new Administration and say we are all Americans. The ghost that has haunted President Bill Clinton and plagued President George W. Bush is Usama Bin Laden and needs to be captured for humanity. I'm the guy for the job.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Donald in Virginia writes:
The economy of the country should be the highest concern for all people. The situation in Gaza and Isreal but also catching the most wanted terrorists who want to do harm against the United States and our people.
"I said it once, I will say it again. I personally would be more than willing to hunt down Usama Bin Laden and his terrorist thugs. All I need is the United States backing."
I believe he will be a threat against our country or other countries until he is captured. We as Americans need to have resolve on Usama Bin Laden once and for all.
If President Obama is serious about this and to finally get closure on Usama bin laden, I believe we all need to work together and get this resolved.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
The economy of the country should be the highest concern for all people. The situation in Gaza and Isreal but also catching the most wanted terrorists who want to do harm against the United States and our people.
"I said it once, I will say it again. I personally would be more than willing to hunt down Usama Bin Laden and his terrorist thugs. All I need is the United States backing."
I believe he will be a threat against our country or other countries until he is captured. We as Americans need to have resolve on Usama Bin Laden once and for all.
If President Obama is serious about this and to finally get closure on Usama bin laden, I believe we all need to work together and get this resolved.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Axel in France writes:
The security of Israel.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
The security of Israel.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Alexander in Germany writes:
The Obama Administration with Hillary Clinton as Sectretary of State should make the conflict between Israel and Palestine a top priority. It is absolutely crucial to end the violence in Gaza and to find a new way to a peace process in this region.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
The Obama Administration with Hillary Clinton as Sectretary of State should make the conflict between Israel and Palestine a top priority. It is absolutely crucial to end the violence in Gaza and to find a new way to a peace process in this region.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
SNP in Syria writes:
Stop killing innocent Iraqi and Afghani civilians and ask the bosses in Tel Aviv to stop committing genocide against innocent Palestinian Civilians. All the rest can be resolved when the bankers realize it is hopeless, time to bailout before the million minutemen march on Washington...
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Stop killing innocent Iraqi and Afghani civilians and ask the bosses in Tel Aviv to stop committing genocide against innocent Palestinian Civilians. All the rest can be resolved when the bankers realize it is hopeless, time to bailout before the million minutemen march on Washington...
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Korina in Washington writes:
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION, CARPE DIEM!
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION, CARPE DIEM!
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Jude in Colorado writes:
For me the priorities are to 1) encourage communication among countries instead of war 2) uphold international law (e.g., close Guantanamo Bay as a start) 3) redefine our place in the world, getting away from being the world's policeman and thereby (one hopes) reducing some of the hatred towards us and 4) hold ourselves to high standards so we don't end up in situations where we later shamefully slink away from our actions.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
For me the priorities are to 1) encourage communication among countries instead of war 2) uphold international law (e.g., close Guantanamo Bay as a start) 3) redefine our place in the world, getting away from being the world's policeman and thereby (one hopes) reducing some of the hatred towards us and 4) hold ourselves to high standards so we don't end up in situations where we later shamefully slink away from our actions.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Klint in Washington writes:
Top 3 things, in no particular order, that come to mind.
1. Helping our fellow U.S. citizens inside the US, be more aware of the world and how we interact with it. Also help educate them on traveling and actually visiting other countries and cultures.
2. Strengthening democracies around the world by helping them find/fight against corruption and help them deal with internal emergencies without going through their military forces. Perhaps we could re activate the U.S. State Departments "Office of Public Safety" program. (um perhaps this time around avoid having them share physical offices with CIA ops to avoid confusion, despite proven clarities)
and
3. Continue humanity efforts, such as the activities we're doing in the Africa continent.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009
Top 3 things, in no particular order, that come to mind.
1. Helping our fellow U.S. citizens inside the US, be more aware of the world and how we interact with it. Also help educate them on traveling and actually visiting other countries and cultures.
2. Strengthening democracies around the world by helping them find/fight against corruption and help them deal with internal emergencies without going through their military forces. Perhaps we could re activate the U.S. State Departments "Office of Public Safety" program. (um perhaps this time around avoid having them share physical offices with CIA ops to avoid confusion, despite proven clarities)
and
3. Continue humanity efforts, such as the activities we're doing in the Africa continent.
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009