The New President: On Foreign Policy Issues

Afghanistan

“We went to Afghanistan first because it is the central front in the war against terrorism. That is where the 9/11 attacks were planned, and today in Afghanistan and the border region of Pakistan Al Qaeda and the Taliban are mounting a growing offensive against the security of the Afghan people and increasingly the Pakistani people while plotting to attack against the United States. The situation in Afghanistan is perilous and urgent. We must act now to reverse that deteriorating situation. I called over a year ago for additional U.S. troops to be placed in Afghanistan as well as more non-military assistance and more support from our NATO allies. I'm glad that there's a growing consensus back home that we need more resources in Afghanistan. We should not wait any longer to provide them.

“In our meetings with President Karzai and the other Afghan leaders, I stressed my strong commitment to Afghanistan's security and economic development and urged them to work on a more for more basis, more U.S. and NATO support for Afghanistan and more action by the Afghan government to take on corruption and counter narcotics, to improve the rule of law and to make sure that resources and services are actually delivered for the Afghan people.”

Remarks at a press conference in Jordan, July 22, 2008

China

“And it starts with a principle I've always believed in – that trade should work for all Americans.

That's why we need to finally confront the issue of trade with China. As I've said before, America and the world can benefit from trade with China. But trade with China will only be good for you if China itself plays by the rules and acts as a positive force for balanced world growth.

Seeing the living standards of the Chinese people improve is a good thing – good because we want a stable China, and good because China can be a powerful market for American exports. But too often, China has been competing in ways that are tilting the playing field.

It's not just that China is following the path taken by so many other countries before it, and dumping goods into our market while not opening their own markets, something I've spoken out against. It's not just that they're violating intellectual property rights. They're also grossly undervaluing their currency, and giving their goods yet another unfair advantage. Each year they've had the chance, the Bush administration has failed to do anything about this. That's unacceptable. That's why I co-sponsored the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act. And that's why as President, I'll use all the diplomatic avenues open to me to insist that China stop manipulating its currency.”

Speech to forum on trade and manufacturing in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2008

Climate Change

“As the world's largest producers of greenhouse gases, America has the greatest responsibility to lead here.  We must enact a cap and trade system that will dramatically reduce our carbon emissions.  And we must finally free ourselves from our dependence on foreign oil by raising our fuel standards and harnessing the power of biofuels.

“Such steps are not just environmental priorities, they are critical to our security.  America must take decisive action in order to more plausibly demand the same effort from others.  We should push for binding and enforceable commitments to reduce emissions by the nations which pollute the most – the United States, the European Union, Russia, China, and India together account for nearly two-thirds of current emissions.  And we should help ensure that growth in developing countries is fueled by low-carbon energy – the market for which could grow to $500 billion by 2050 and spur the next wave of American entrepreneurship.” 

Speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Chicago, Illinois, April 23, 2007

Columbia

“We will continue the Andean Counter-Drug Program, and update it to meet evolving challenges. We will fully support Colombia’s fight against the FARC. We’ll work with the government to end the reign of terror from right wing paramilitaries. We will support Colombia’s right to strike terrorists who seek safe-haven across its borders. And we will shine a light on any support for the FARC that comes from neighboring governments. This behavior must be exposed to international condemnation, regional isolation, and –if need be- strong sanctions.     

Speech in Miami, Florida, May 23, 2008

Cuba

“It's time for more than tough talk that never yields results.  It's time for a new strategy.  There are no better ambassadors for freedom than Cuban Americans.  That's why I will immediately allow unlimited family travel and remittances to the island…I will maintain the embargo.  It provides us with the leverage to present the regime with a clear choice: if you take significant steps toward democracy, beginning with the freeing of all political prisoners, we will take steps to begin normalizing relations.  That's the way to bring about real change in Cuba – through strong, smart and principled diplomacy.”

Speech to the Cuban American National Council, Miami, Florida, May 23, 2008

Darfur

“In a situation like Darfur, I think that the world has a self-interest in ensuring that genocide is not taking place on our watch. Not only because of the moral and ethical implications, but also because chaos in Sudan ends up spilling over into Chad. It ends up spilling over into other parts of Africa, can end up being repositories of terrorist activity. Those are all things that we’ve got to pay attention to. And if we have enough nations that are willing – particularly Africa nations, not just Western nations – that are willing to intercede in an effective, coherent way, then I think we need to act.”

Interview with Fareed Zakaria on CNN, July 13, 2008

Development

“Climate change. Poverty. Extremism. Disease. These problems offend our common humanity. They also threaten our common security. You know this. The question is what we do about it.
“We're not going to face these threats of the future by grasping at the ideas of the past. In many cases, we know what we have to do. We talk about the solutions year after year. This must be the time when we choose not to wait any longer. We must marshal the will. We must see that none of these problems can be dealt with in isolation, nor can we deny one and effectively tackle another. That's why you've come to CGI. Because that's what this moment calls us to do…

“The first commitment that I'll make today is setting a goal of an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050…

“We all have a stake in reducing poverty. There is suffering across the globe that doesn't need to be tolerated in the 21st century. And it leads to pockets of instability that provide fertile breeding grounds for threats like terror and the smuggling of deadly weapons that cannot be contained by the drawing of a border or the distance of an ocean. These aren't simply disconnected corners of an interconnected world. That is why the second commitment that I will make is embracing the Millennium Development Goals, which aim to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015.

“This will take more resources from the United States, and as President I will increase our foreign assistance to provide them. But resources must be focused on the right priorities. No one wants to put good money after bad, or ignore the underlying causes at the root of these problems…

“Above all, we must do our part to see that all children have the basic right to learn. There is nothing more disappointing than a child denied the hope that comes with going to school, and there is nothing more dangerous than a child who is taught to distrust and then to destroy.

“That's why the third commitment I'll make is working to erase the global primary education gap by 2015. Every child - every boy, and every girl - should have the ability to go to school. To ensure that our nation does its part to meet that goal, we need to establish a two billion dollar Global Education Fund. And I look forward to signing the bipartisan Education for All Act that was first introduced by Hillary Clinton - a true champion for children.

“Finally, we must continue the progress that's been made to advance the cause of global health. I've been proud to support the PEPFAR program. I think President Bush - and many of you there today - have shown real leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. This is a fight that I will continue as President.”

Speech to the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City, September 25, 2008

European Union

“To renew American leadership in the world, I intend to rebuild the alliances, partnerships, and institutions necessary to confront common threats and enhance common security.  Needed reform of these alliances and institutions will not come by bullying other countries to ratify changes we hatch in isolation.  It will come when we convince other governments and peoples that they, too, have a stake in effective partnerships.

“Too often we have sent the opposite signal to our international partners.  In the case of Europe, we dismissed European reservations about the wisdom and necessity of the Iraq war.”

Article called “Renewing American Leadership” in Foreign Affairs July/August 2007 issue

Foreign Policy Philosophy

“And one of the things that I want to do, if I have the honor of being president, is to try to bring back the kind of foreign policy that characterized the Truman administration with Marshall and Acheson and Kennan.

But also characterized to a large degree -- the first President Bush -- with people like Scowcroft and Powell and Baker, who I think had a fairly clear-eyed view of how the world works, and recognized that it is always in our interests to engage, to listen, to build alliances -- to understand what our interests are, and to be fierce in protecting those interests, but to make sure that we understand it's very difficult for us to, as powerful as we are, to deal all these issues by ourselves.

We need to show leadership through consensus and through pulling people together wherever we can. There are going to be times where we have to act unilaterally to protect our interests. And I always reserve the right to do that, should I be commander in chief.”

Interview with Fareed Zakaria on CNN, July 13, 2008

Georgia

“No matter how this conflict started, Russia has escalated it well beyond the dispute over South Ossetia and has now violated the space of another country. Russia has escalated its military campaign through strategic bombing and the movement of its ground forces into the heart of Georgia. There is no possible justification for these attacks…

“While returning to a pre-August 8th military posture is a necessary first step towards resolving this crisis, we cannot tolerate the unacceptable status quo that led to this escalation. That means Russian peacekeeping troops should be replaced by a genuine international peacekeeping force, Georgia should refrain from using force in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and a political settlement must be reached that addresses the status of these disputed regions.

“Going forward, the United States and Europe must support the people of Georgia. Beyond immediate humanitarian assistance, we must provide economic assistance, and help rebuild what has been destroyed. I have consistently called for deepening relations between Georgia and transatlantic institutions, including a membership action plan for NATO, and we must continue to press for that deeper relationship.”

Statement from Hawaii, August 11, 2008

Guantanamo

“To lead the world, we must lead by example.  We must be willing to acknowledge our failings, not just trumpet our victories.  When I'm President, we'll reject torture – without exception or equivocations; we'll close Guantanamo; we'll be the country that credibly tells the dissidents in the prison camps that America is your voice, America is your dream, America is your light of justice.” 

Speech at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, October 2, 2007

Hamas

“The Israeli people, and Prime Minister Olmert, have made clear that they are more than willing to negotiate an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will result in two states living side by side in peace and security.  But the Israelis must trust that they have a true Palestinian partner for peace.  That is why we must strengthen the hands of Palestinian moderates who seek peace and that is why we must maintain the isolation of Hamas and other extremists who are committed to Israel's destruction.

“The U.S. and our partners have put before Hamas three very simple conditions to end this isolation: recognize Israel's right to exist; renounce the use of violence; and abide by past agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.”

Speech to the AIPAC Policy Forum in Chicago, Illinois, March 2, 2007

International Atomic Energy Commission

“That is why my administration will immediately provide $50 million to jump-start the creation of an International Atomic Energy Agency-controlled nuclear fuel bank and work to update the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.  We must also fully implement the law Senator Richard Lugar and I passed to help the United States and our allies detect and stop the smuggling of weapons of mass destruction throughout the world.”

Article called “Renewing American Leadership” in Foreign Affairs July/August 2007 issue

Iran

“These missile tests demonstrate once again that we need to change our policy to deal aggressively with the threat posed by the Iranian regime.  Through its nuclear program, missile capability, meddling in Iraq, support for terrorism, and threats against Israel, Iran now poses the greatest strategic challenge to the United States in the region in a generation.  Now is the time to work with our friends and allies, and to pursue direct and aggressive diplomacy with the Iranian regime backed by tougher unilateral and multilateral sanctions.  It's time to offer the Iranians a clear choice between increased costs for continuing their troubling behavior, and concrete incentives that would come if they change course.”

Statement released July 9, 2008

Iraq

“My view based on the advise of the military experts is that we can redeploy safely in 16 months so that our combat brigades are out of Iraq in 2010. As president, I intend to work with our military commanders to assure that we redeploy out of Iraq carefully with the safety of our troops in mind. And as I've said over the last two years, once we redeploy our combat brigades, we're still going to retain a capability to protect our personnel, to target terrorists and to train Iraqi security forces if there is political progress. In speaking with Afghans and Iraqis, the U.S. military and civilians, we all three of us, I think, were struck by both the peril and the promise of this moment.

“If we responsibly end the war in Iraq, we can strengthen our military, step up our efforts to finish the fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and succeed in leaving Iraq to a sovereign government that can take responsibility for its own future. In short, we can seize this moment to make America more secure, to focus on broader challenges like defeating terrorism, reversing this threat of nuclear weapons and achieving true energy security, challenges that I will discuss, among others, with some of our closest friends and allies in the days ahead.”

Remarks at a press conference in Jordan, July 22, 2008

Israel

“Our job is to renew the United States' efforts to help Israel achieve peace with its neighbors while remaining vigilant against those who do not share this vision.  Our job is to do more than lay out another road map; our job is to rebuild the road to real peace and lasting security throughout the region.

“That effort begins with a clear and strong commitment to the security of Israel: our strongest ally in the region and its only established democracy.  That will always be my starting point.  And when we see all of the growing threats in the region: from Iran to Iraq to the resurgence of al-Qaeda to the reinvigoration of Hamas and Hezbollah, that loyalty and that friendship will guide me as we begin to lay the stones that will build the road that takes us from the current instability to lasting peace and security.”

Speech to the AIPAC Policy Forum, Chicago, Illinois, March 2, 2007

Japan

“As China rises and Japan and South Korea assert themselves, I will work to forge a more effective framework in Asia that goes beyond bilateral agreements, occasional summits, and ad hoc arrangements, such as the six-party talks on North Korea.  We need an inclusive infrastructure with the countries in East Asia that can promote stability and prosperity and help confront transnational threats, from terrorist cells in the Philippines to avian flu in Indonesia.”

Article in Foreign Affairs called “Renewing American Leadership” in July/August 2007 issue

Latin America

“And we know that freedom across our hemisphere must go beyond elections.  In Venezuela, Hugo Chávez is a democratically elected leader.  But we also know that he does not govern democratically…We must put forward a vision of democracy that goes beyond the ballot box.  We should increase our support for strong legislatures, independent judiciaries, free press, vibrant civil society, honest police forces, religious freedom, and the rule of law.  That is how we can support democracy that is strong and sustainable not just on an election day, but in the day to day lives of the people of the Americas.”

Speech to the Cuban American National Council, Miami, Florida, May 23, 2008

Middle East Peace Process

"I think it's unrealistic to expect that a US president alone can suddenly snap his fingers and bring about peace in this region.  What a US president can do is apply sustained energy and focus on the issues of the Israelis and the Palestinians. And I do believe that an ultimate resolution is going to involve two states standing side by side in peace and security, and that the Israelis and the Palestinians are going to both have to make compromises in order to arrive at that two-state solution.”

Remarks at press conference in Jordan, July 22, 2008

Military Build-Up

“We must use this moment both to rebuild our military and to prepare it for the missions of the future.  We must retain the capacity to swiftly defeat any conventional threat to our country and our vital interests.  But we must also become better prepared to put boots on the ground in order to take on foes that fight asymmetrical and highly adaptive campaigns on a global scale.

“We should expand our ground forces by adding 65,000 soldiers to the army and 27,000 marines.  Bolstering these forces is about more than meeting quotas.  We must recruit the very best and invest in their capacity to succeed.  That means providing our servicemen and servicewomen with first-rate equipment, armor, incentives, and training – including in foreign languages and other critical skills.  Each major defense program should be reevaluated in light of current needs, gaps in the field, and likely future threat scenarios.  Our military will have to rebuild some capabilities and transform others.”

Article in Foreign Affairs called “Renewing American Leadership,” July/August  2007 issue

NATO

“NATO stands as an example of how the United States can advance American national security – and the security of the world – through a strong alliance rooted in shared responsibility and shared values.  NATO remains a vital asset in America's efforts to anchor democracy and stability in Europe and to defend our interests and values all over the world.”

Statement released March 3, 2008 about the NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania the following month

NATO in Afghanistan

“Success in Afghanistan is vital to the security of the United States, to all NATO members, and to the people of Afghanistan.  NATO's leaders must therefore send an unambiguous message that every country in NATO will do whatever needs to be done to destroy terrorist networks in Afghanistan, to prevent the Taliban from returning to power, and to bring greater security and well-being to the Afghan people.  This will require adequate numbers of capable military forces and civilian personnel from NATO members and putting more of an Afghan face on counter insurgency operations by providing more training and resources to the Afghan National Army and police forces, and by embedding more Afghan forces into NATO missions.  We must also win long-term public support through assistance programs that make a difference in the lives of the Afghan people, including investments in infrastructure and education; the development of alternative livelihoods for poppy farmers to undermine the Taliban and other drug traffickers; and increased efforts to combat corruption through safeguards on assistance and support for the rule of law.

“Success in Afghanistan will also require the removal of restrictions that some allies have placed on their forces in Afghanistan, which hamper the flexibility of commanders on the ground.  The mission in Afghanistan – legitimized by a United Nations mandate, supported by the Afghan people, and endorsed by all NATO members after the United States was attacked is central to NATO's future as a collective security organization.  Afghanistan presents a test of whether NATO can carry out the crucial missions of the 21st century, and NATO must come together to meet that challenge.  Now is the time for all NATO allies to recommit to this common purpose.”

Statement released on March 3, 2008 about the NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania the following month

North Korea

“There's a reason why, for example, North Korea, when we weren't talking, developed eight nuclear weapons. And when we started talking, we've now arrived at possibility where we could get those nuclear weapons, and those systems dismantled.  You know, engaging in tough diplomacy is not a sign of weakness; it's a sign of strength.”

Interview with CBS's Katie Couric from Jordan, July 22, 2008

“We must develop a strong international coalition to…eliminate North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Iran and North Korea could trigger regional arms races, creating dangerous nuclear flashpoints in the Middle East and East Asia. In confronting these threats, I will not take the military option off the table. But our first measure must be sustained, direct, and aggressive diplomacy.”

Article called “Renewing American Leadership” in Foreign Affairs July/August 2007 issue

Nuclear Proliferation

“The biggest threat that we face right now is not a nuclear missile coming over the skies. It’s in a suitcase. This is why the issue of nuclear proliferation is so important. The biggest threat to the United States is a terrorist getting their hands on nuclear weapons. We are spending billions of dollars on missile defense. And I actually believe that we need missile defense, because of Iran and North Korea and the potential for them to obtain or to launch nuclear weapons, but I also believe that if we are only spending a few million dollars on nuclear proliferation, then we’re making a mistake.”

First Presidential debate, September 26, 2008

Osama bin Laden

“It is unacceptable that almost seven years after nearly 3,000 Americans were killed on our soil, the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 are still at large…as President, I will make the fight against al-Qaida and the Taliban the top priority that it should be.  This is a war that we have to win.”

Speech at the Ronald Reagan Trade Building in Washington, DC, July 16, 2008

Pakistan

“The greatest threat to that security lies in the tribal regions of Pakistan, where terrorists train and insurgents strike into Afghanistan. We cannot tolerate a terrorist sanctuary, and as President, I won't. We need a stronger and sustained partnership between Afghanistan, Pakistan and NATO to secure the border, to take out terrorist camps, and to crack down on cross-border insurgents. We need more troops, more helicopters, more satellites, more Predator drones in the Afghan border region. And we must make it clear that if Pakistan cannot or will not act, we will take out high-level terrorist targets like bin Laden if we have them in our sights.

“Make no mistake: we can't succeed in Afghanistan or secure our homeland unless we change our Pakistan policy. We must expect more of the Pakistani government, but we must offer more than a blank check to a General who has lost the confidence of his people. It's time to strengthen stability by standing up for the aspirations of the Pakistani people. That's why I'm cosponsoring a bill with Joe Biden and Richard Lugar to triple non-military aid to the Pakistani people and to sustain it for a decade, while ensuring that the military assistance we do provide is used to take the fight to the Taliban and al Qaeda. We must move beyond a purely military alliance built on convenience, or face mounting popular opposition in a nuclear-armed nation at the nexus of terror and radical Islam.”

Foreign policy speech at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center, Washington, DC, July 15, 2008

Russia

“Although we must not shy away from pushing for more democracy and accountability in Russia, we must work with the country in areas of common interest – above all, in making sure that nuclear weapons and material are secure.  We must also work with Russia to update and scale back our dangerously outdated Cold War nuclear postures and de-emphasize the role of nuclear weapons.  America must not rush to produce a new generation of nuclear warheads.  And we should take advantage of recent technological advances to build bipartisan consensus behind ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.  All of this can be done while maintaining a strong nuclear deterrent.  These steps will ultimately strengthen, not weaken, our security.”

Article called “Renewing American Leadership” in Foreign Affairs July/August 2007 issue

Trade Agreements

“Trade has been a cornerstone of our growth and global development. But we will not be able to sustain this growth if it favors the few, and not the many. Together, we must forge trade that truly rewards the work that creates wealth, with meaningful protections for our people and our planet. This is the moment for trade that is free and fair for all.”

Speech in Berlin, July 24, 2008

“There's no doubt that NAFTA needs to be amended.  I've already said I would contact the president of Mexico and the prime minister of Canada to make sure that labor agreements are enforceable. But I did want to just go back briefly to the issue of trade and human rights that you mentioned. We have to stand for human rights, and that should be part of the trade equation.”

Des Moines Register Democratic Debate, December 13, 2007

War on Terror

“I can speak about my judgment and say that if you look at the where we're moving towards internationally, a need to refocus attention on Afghanistan and to go after the Taliban, including putting more troops on the ground, and to put more pressure on Pakistan to deal with the safe havens of terrorists in their territory. When you look at the need for engagement with Iran, something that I was scorned for during earlier parts of the campaign, when you look at increasing recognition that we can't stay in Iraq in perpetuity and that a time frame, timetable, timeline, whatever you want to refer to, is appropriate.

I think that the judgments that I've made over the course of the last two years are ones that match up with the reality on the ground. And ultimately I think that's where U.S. foreign policy is going to have to go. Regardless of who becomes the next president, democrat or republican. I think we're all going to have to strip away the ideology. We're going to have to strip away the politics. The issues are too serious, and the reality is reasserting itself. And that means that the next president is going to have to make a series of very difficult judgments and balance a set of risks based on the best possible intelligence and information available to him.”

Remarks made at a press conference in Jordan, July 22, 2008