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Planetary Update - Friday 18th November 2011 |
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Planetary Update
Breaking News
Friday 18 November 2011
The Guardian
Aung San Suu Kyi party to register for Burmese elections
The US president, Barack Obama, said he saw "flickers of progress" in Burma and would dispatch Hillary Clinton, the secretary of state, to explore new ties. He said the recent release of political prisoners, the relaxing of media restrictions and signs of legislative change were "the most important steps toward reform in Burma that we've seen in years". Obama, in Indonesia for the Association of South-East Asian Nations summit, said he had spoken to Aung San Suu Kyi for the first time and she had told him she supported more US engagement with Burma.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/18/aung-san-suu-kyi-elections
Huffington Post
Hillary Clinton To Visit Myanmar
First Secretary Of State To Travel To Long-Shunned Nation In Over 50 Years
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/18/hillary-clinton-myanmar_n_1100822.html
Jerusalem Post
Condoleezza Rice: Time for regime change in Tehran
http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=246037
Jerusalem Post
Leon Panetta: Strike on Iran could hurt world economy
http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=246047
Haaretz
U.S. Defense Secretary: Iran strike will hurt world economy
Panetta speaks on eve of talks with Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Canada; says world should focus on diplomatic pressure, sanctions over Iran nuclear program.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-defense-secretary-iran-strike-will-hurt-world-economy-1.396316
Huffington Post
America's New Cold War With China by Tom Hayden
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-hayden/america-china-foreign-policy_b_1100748.html
Haaretz
Jews won’t mind Romney’s Mormonism – but Christians might.
'Baptism of the dead' controversy that plagued Jewish-Mormon relations was finally put to rest a year ago, just in time for Republican Mitt Romney to reap the rewards among Jewish voters.
http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/west-of-eden/jews-won-t-mind-romney-s-mormonism-but-christians-might-1.396337
Haaretz
Kissinger in Nixon-era document: Jews are self serving 'bastards'
(Planetary observes: Kissinger's colleagues back Romney as does K himself.)
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/kissinger-in-nixon-era-document-jews-are-self-serving-bastards-1.396343
Huffington Post
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Former Philippine President, Charged With Electoral Fraud
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/18/gloria-macapagal-arroyo-poll-fraud_n_1100895.html
Jewish Telegraph Agency
Man with ‘Israel’ tattoo charged with attempting to assassinate Obama
http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/11/17/3090327/man-wanted-in-dc-shooting-has-israel-tattoo
The Guardian
Brazil census shows African-Brazilians in the majority for the first time
Preliminary results show 50.7% of Brazilians now define themselves as black or mixed race compared with 47.7% whites
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/17/brazil-census-african-brazilians-majority
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Remarks by the President to the United Nations General Assembly |
September 23, 2010
THE PRESIDENT: Mr.
President, Mr. Secretary-General, my fellow delegates, ladies and
gentlemen. It is a great honor to address this Assembly for the second
time, nearly two years after my election as President of the United
States.
We know this is no ordinary time for our people. Each of us comes here
with our own problems and priorities. But there are also challenges
that we share in common as leaders and as nations.
We meet within an institution built from the rubble of war, designed to
unite the world in pursuit of peace. And we meet within a city that for
centuries has welcomed people from across the globe, demonstrating that
individuals of every color, faith and station can come together to
pursue opportunity, build a community, and live with the blessing of
human liberty.
Outside the doors of this hall, the blocks and neighborhoods of this
great city tell the story of a difficult decade. Nine years ago, the
destruction of the World Trade Center signaled a threat that respected
no boundary of dignity or decency. Two years ago this month, a
financial crisis on Wall Street devastated American families on Main
Street. These separate challenges have affected people around the
globe. Men and women and children have been murdered by extremists from
Casablanca to London; from Jalalabad to Jakarta. The global economy
suffered an enormous blow during the financial crisis, crippling markets
and deferring the dreams of millions on every continent. Underneath
these challenges to our security and prosperity lie deeper fears: that
ancient hatreds and religious divides are once again ascendant; that a
world which has grown more interconnected has somehow slipped beyond our
control.
These are some of the challenges that my administration has confronted
since we came into office. And today, I’d like to talk to you about
what we’ve done over the last 20 months to meet these challenges; what
our responsibility is to pursue peace in the Middle East; and what kind
of world we are trying to build in this 21st century.
Let me begin with what we have done. I have had no greater focus as
President than rescuing our economy from potential catastrophe. And in
an age when prosperity is shared, we could not do this alone. So
America has joined with nations around the world to spur growth, and the
renewed demand that could restart job creation.
We are reforming our system of global finance, beginning with Wall
Street reform here at home, so that a crisis like this never happens
again. And we made the G20 the focal point for international
coordination, because in a world where prosperity is more diffuse, we
must broaden our circle of cooperation to include emerging economies --
economies from every corner of the globe.
There is much to show for our efforts, even as there is much work to be
done. The global economy has been pulled back from the brink of a
depression, and is growing once more. We have resisted protectionism,
and are exploring ways to expand trade and commerce among nations. But
we cannot -- and will not -- rest until these seeds of progress grow
into a broader prosperity, not only for all Americans, but for peoples
around the globe.
As for our common security, America is waging a more effective fight
against al Qaeda, while winding down the war in Iraq. Since I took
office, the United States has removed nearly 100,000 troops from Iraq.
We have done so responsibly, as Iraqis have transitioned to lead
responsibility for the security of their country.
We are now focused on building a lasting partnership with the Iraqi
people, while keeping our commitment to remove the rest of our troops by
the end of next year.
While drawing down in Iraq, we have refocused on defeating al Qaeda and
denying its affiliates a safe haven. In Afghanistan, the United States
and our allies are pursuing a strategy to break the Taliban’s momentum
and build the capacity of Afghanistan’s government and security forces,
so that a transition to Afghan responsibility can begin next July. And
from South Asia to the Horn of Africa, we are moving toward a more
targeted approach -- one that strengthens our partners and dismantles
terrorist networks without deploying large American armies.
As we pursue the world’s most dangerous extremists, we’re also denying
them the world’s most dangerous weapons, and pursuing the peace and
security of a world without nuclear weapons.
Earlier this year, 47 nations embraced a work-plan to secure all
vulnerable nuclear materials within four years. We have joined with
Russia to sign the most comprehensive arms control treaty in decades.
We have reduced the role of nuclear weapons in our security strategy.
And here, at the United Nations, we came together to strengthen the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
As part of our effort on non-proliferation, I offered the Islamic
Republic of Iran an extended hand last year, and underscored that it has
both rights and responsibilities as a member of the international
community. I also said -- in this hall -- that Iran must be held
accountable if it failed to meet those responsibilities. And that is
what we have done.
Iran is the only party to the NPT that cannot demonstrate the peaceful
intentions of its nuclear program, and those actions have consequences.
Through U.N. Security Council Resolution 1929, we made it clear that
international law is not an empty promise.
Now let me be clear once more: The United States and the international
community seek a resolution to our differences with Iran, and the door
remains open to diplomacy should Iran choose to walk through it. But
the Iranian government must demonstrate a clear and credible commitment
and confirm to the world the peaceful intent of its nuclear program.
As we combat the spread of deadly weapons, we’re also confronting the
specter of climate change. After making historic investments in clean
energy and efficiency at home, we helped forge an accord in Copenhagen
that -- for the first time -- commits all major economies to reduce
their emissions. We are keenly aware this is just a first step. And
going forward, we will support a process in which all major economies
meet our responsibilities to protect the planet while unleashing the
power of clean energy to serve as an engine of growth and development.
America has also embraced unique responsibilities with come -- that come
with our power. Since the rains came and the floodwaters rose in
Pakistan, we have pledged our assistance, and we should all support the
Pakistani people as they recover and rebuild. And when the earth shook
and Haiti was devastated by loss, we joined a coalition of nations in
response. Today, we honor those from the U.N. family who lost their
lives in the earthquake, and commit ourselves to stand with the people
of Haiti until they can stand on their own two feet.
Amidst this upheaval, we have also been persistent in our pursuit of
peace. Last year, I pledged my best efforts to support the goal of two
states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security,
as part of a comprehensive peace between Israel and all of its
neighbors. We have travelled a winding road over the last 12 months,
with few peaks and many valleys. But this month, I am pleased that we
have pursued direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians in
Washington, Sharm el Sheikh and Jerusalem.
Now I recognize many are pessimistic about this process. The cynics say
that Israelis and Palestinians are too distrustful of each other, and
too divided internally, to forge lasting peace. Rejectionists on both
sides will try to disrupt the process, with bitter words and with bombs
and with gunfire. Some say that the gaps between the parties are too
big; the potential for talks to break down is too great; and that after
decades of failure, peace is simply not possible.
I hear those voices of skepticism. But I ask you to consider the
alternative. If an agreement is not reached, Palestinians will never
know the pride and dignity that comes with their own state. Israelis
will never know the certainty and security that comes with sovereign and
stable neighbors who are committed to coexistence. The hard realities
of demography will take hold. More blood will be shed. This Holy Land
will remain a symbol of our differences, instead of our common humanity.
I refuse to accept that future. And we all have a choice to make. Each
of us must choose the path of peace. Of course, that responsibility
begins with the parties themselves, who must answer the call of
history. Earlier this month at the White House, I was struck by the
words of both the Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Prime Minister
Netanyahu said, “I came here today to find a historic compromise that
will enable both people to live in peace, security, and dignity.” And
President Abbas said, “We will spare no effort and we will work
diligently and tirelessly to ensure these negotiations achieve their
cause.”
These words must now be followed by action and I believe that both
leaders have the courage to do so. But the road that they have to
travel is exceedingly difficult, which is why I call upon Israelis and
Palestinians -- and the world -- to rally behind the goal that these
leaders now share. We know that there will be tests along the way and
that one test is fast approaching. Israel’s settlement moratorium has
made a difference on the ground and improved the atmosphere for talks.
And our position on this issue is well known. We believe that the
moratorium should be extended. We also believe that talks should press
on until completed. Now is the time for the parties to help each other
overcome this obstacle. Now is the time to build the trust -- and
provide the time -- for substantial progress to be made. Now is the
time for this opportunity to be seized, so that it does not slip away.
Now, peace must be made by Israelis and Palestinians, but each of us has
a responsibility to do our part as well. Those of us who are friends
of Israel must understand that true security for the Jewish state
requires an independent Palestine -- one that allows the Palestinian
people to live with dignity and opportunity. And those of us who are
friends of the Palestinians must understand that the rights of the
Palestinian people will be won only through peaceful means -- including
genuine reconciliation with a secure Israel.
I know many in this hall count themselves as friends of the
Palestinians. But these pledges of friendship must now be supported by
deeds. Those who have signed on to the Arab Peace Initiative should
seize this opportunity to make it real by taking tangible steps towards
the normalization that it promises Israel.
And those who speak on behalf of Palestinian self-government should help
the Palestinian Authority politically and financially, and in doing so
help the Palestinians build the institutions of their state.
Those who long to see an independent Palestine must also stop trying to
tear down Israel. After thousands of years, Jews and Arabs are not
strangers in a strange land. After 60 years in the community of
nations, Israel’s existence must not be a subject for debate.
Israel is a sovereign state, and the historic homeland of the Jewish
people. It should be clear to all that efforts to chip away at Israel’s
legitimacy will only be met by the unshakeable opposition of the United
States. And efforts to threaten or kill Israelis will do nothing to
help the Palestinian people. The slaughter of innocent Israelis is not
resistance -- it’s injustice. And make no mistake: The courage of a
man like President Abbas, who stands up for his people in front of the
world under very difficult circumstances, is far greater than those who
fire rockets at innocent women and children.
The conflict between Israelis and Arabs is as old as this institution.
And we can come back here next year, as we have for the last 60 years,
and make long speeches about it. We can read familiar lists of
grievances. We can table the same resolutions. We can further empower
the forces of rejectionism and hate. And we can waste more time by
carrying forward an argument that will not help a single Israeli or
Palestinian child achieve a better life. We can do that.
Or, we can say that this time will be different -- that this time we
will not let terror, or turbulence, or posturing, or petty politics
stand in the way. This time, we will think not of ourselves, but of the
young girl in Gaza who wants to have no ceiling on her dreams, or the
young boy in Sderot who wants to sleep without the nightmare of rocket
fire.
This time, we should draw upon the teachings of tolerance that lie at
the heart of three great religions that see Jerusalem’s soil as sacred.
This time we should reach for what’s best within ourselves. If we do,
when we come back here next year, we can have an agreement that will
lead to a new member of the United Nations -- an independent, sovereign
state of Palestine, living in peace with Israel. (Applause.)
It is our destiny to bear the burdens of the challenges that I’ve
addressed -- recession and war and conflict. And there is always a
sense of urgency -- even emergency -- that drives most of our foreign
policies. Indeed, after millennia marked by wars, this very institution
reflects the desire of human beings to create a forum to deal with
emergencies that will inevitably come.
But even as we confront immediate challenges, we must also summon the
foresight to look beyond them, and consider what we are trying to build
over the long term? What is the world that awaits us when today’s
battles are brought to an end? And that is what I would like to talk
about with the remainder of my time today.
One of the first actions of this General Assembly was to adopt a
Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. That Declaration begins
by stating that, “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal
and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the
foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.”
The idea is a simple one -- that freedom, justice and peace for the
world must begin with freedom, justice, and peace in the lives of
individual human beings. And for the United States, this is a matter of
moral and pragmatic necessity. As Robert Kennedy said, “the individual
man, the child of God, is the touchstone of value, and all society,
groups, the state, exist for his benefit.” So we stand up for universal
values because it’s the right thing to do. But we also know from
experience that those who defend these values for their people have been
our closest friends and allies, while those who have denied those
rights -- whether terrorist groups or tyrannical governments -- have
chosen to be our adversaries.
Human rights have never gone unchallenged -- not in any of our nations,
and not in our world. Tyranny is still with us -- whether it manifests
itself in the Taliban killing girls who try to go to school, a North
Korean regime that enslaves its own people, or an armed group in
Congo-Kinshasa that use rape as a weapon of war.
In times of economic unease, there can also be an anxiety about human
rights. Today, as in past times of economic downturn, some put human
rights aside for the promise of short term stability or the false notion
that economic growth can come at the expense of freedom. We see
leaders abolishing term limits. We see crackdowns on civil society. We
see corruption smothering entrepreneurship and good governance. We see
democratic reforms deferred indefinitely.
As I said last year, each country will pursue a path rooted in the
culture of its own people. Yet experience shows us that history is on
the side of liberty; that the strongest foundation for human progress
lies in open economies, open societies, and open governments. To put it
simply, democracy, more than any other form of government, delivers for
our citizens. And I believe that truth will only grow stronger in a
world where the borders between nations are blurred.
America is working to shape a world that fosters this openness, for the
rot of a closed or corrupt economy must never eclipse the energy and
innovation of human beings. All of us want the right to educate our
children, to make a decent wage, to care for the sick, and to be carried
as far as our dreams and our deeds will take us. But that depends upon
economies that tap the power of our people, including the potential of
women and girls. That means letting entrepreneurs start a business
without paying a bribe and governments that support opportunity instead
of stealing from their people. And that means rewarding hard work,
instead of reckless risk-taking.
Yesterday, I put forward a new development policy that will pursue these
goals, recognizing that dignity is a human right and global development
is in our common interest. America will partner with nations that
offer their people a path out of poverty. And together, we must unleash
growth that powers by individuals and emerging markets in all parts of
the globe.
There is no reason why Africa should not be an exporter of agriculture,
which is why our food security initiative is empowering farmers. There
is no reason why entrepreneurs shouldn’t be able to build new markets in
every society, which is why I hosted a summit on entrepreneurship
earlier this spring, because the obligation of government is to empower
individuals, not to impede them.
The same holds true for civil society. The arc of human progress has
been shaped by individuals with the freedom to assemble and by
organizations outside of government that insisted upon democratic change
and by free media that held the powerful accountable. We have seen
that from the South Africans who stood up to apartheid, to the Poles of
Solidarity, to the mothers of the disappeared who spoke out against the
Dirty War, to Americans who marched for the rights of all races,
including my own.
Civil society is the conscience of our communities and America will
always extend our engagement abroad with citizens beyond the halls of
government. And we will call out those who suppress ideas and serve as a
voice for those who are voiceless. We will promote new tools of
communication so people are empowered to connect with one another and,
in repressive societies, to do so with security. We will support a free
and open Internet, so individuals have the information to make up their
own minds. And it is time to embrace and effectively monitor norms
that advance the rights of civil society and guarantee its expansion
within and across borders.
Open society supports open government, but it cannot substitute for it.
There is no right more fundamental than the ability to choose your
leaders and determine your destiny. Now, make no mistake: The ultimate
success of democracy in the world won’t come because the United States
dictates it; it will come because individual citizens demand a say in
how they are governed.
There is no soil where this notion cannot take root, just as every
democracy reflects the uniqueness of a nation. Later this fall, I will
travel to Asia. And I will visit India, which peacefully threw off
colonialism and established a thriving democracy of over a billion
people.
I’ll continue to Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country,
which binds together thousands of islands through the glue of
representative government and civil society. I’ll join the G20 meeting
on the Korean Peninsula, which provides the world’s clearest contrast
between a society that is dynamic and open and free, and one that is
imprisoned and closed. And I will conclude my trip in Japan, an ancient
culture that found peace and extraordinary development through
democracy.
Each of these countries gives life to democratic principles in their own
way. And even as some governments roll back reform, we also celebrate
the courage of a President in Colombia who willingly stepped aside, or
the promise of a new constitution in Kenya.
The common thread of progress is the principle that government is
accountable to its citizens. And the diversity in this room makes clear
-- no one country has all the answers, but all of us must answer to our
own people.
In all parts of the world, we see the promise of innovation to make
government more open and accountable. And now, we must build on that
progress. And when we gather back here next year, we should bring
specific commitments to promote transparency; to fight corruption; to
energize civic engagement; to leverage new technologies so that we
strengthen the foundations of freedom in our own countries, while living
up to the ideals that can light the world.
This institution can still play an indispensable role in the advance of
human rights. It’s time to welcome the efforts of U.N. Women to protect
the rights of women around the globe. (Applause.)
It’s time for every member state to open its elections to international
monitors and increase the U.N. Democracy Fund. It’s time to
reinvigorate U.N. peacekeeping, so that missions have the resources
necessary to succeed, and so atrocities like sexual violence are
prevented and justice is enforced -- because neither dignity nor
democracy can thrive without basic security.
And it’s time to make this institution more accountable as well, because
the challenges of a new century demand new ways of serving our common
interests.
The world that America seeks is not one we can build on our own. For
human rights to reach those who suffer the boot of oppression, we need
your voices to speak out. In particular, I appeal to those nations who
emerged from tyranny and inspired the world in the second half of the
last century -- from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to
South America. Don’t stand idly by, don’t be silent, when dissidents
elsewhere are imprisoned and protesters are beaten. Recall your own
history. Because part of the price of our own freedom is standing up
for the freedom of others.
September 23, 2010
That belief will guide America’s leadership in this 21st century. It is
a belief that has seen us through more than two centuries of trial, and
it will see us through the challenges we face today -- be it war or
recession; conflict or division.
So even as we have come through a difficult decade, I stand here before
you confident in the future -- a future where Iraq is governed by
neither tyrant nor a foreign power, and Afghanistan is freed from the
turmoil of war; a future where the children of Israel and Palestine can
build the peace that was not possible for their parents; a world where
the promise of development reaches into the prisons of poverty and
disease; a future where the cloud of recession gives way to the light of
renewal and the dream of opportunity is available to all.
This future will not be easy to reach. It will not come without
setbacks, nor will it be quickly claimed. But the founding of the
United Nations itself is a testament to human progress. Remember, in
times that were far more trying than our own, our predecessors chose the
hope of unity over the ease of division and made a promise to future
generations that the dignity and equality of human beings would be our
common cause.
It falls to us to fulfill that promise. And though we will be met by
dark forces that will test our resolve, Americans have always had cause
to believe that we can choose a better history; that we need only to
look outside the walls around us. For through the citizens of every
conceivable ancestry who make this city their own, we see living proof
that opportunity can be accessed by all, that what unites us as human
beings is far greater than what divides us, and that people from every
part of this world can live together in peace.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)
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Obama at West Point Graduation |
May 23, 2010
Delivering the commencement address to the graduating class at West Point, President Obama abandoned the Bush Era policy of unilateralism as part of a broader project to reshape US foreign policy and renew American diplomacy during a challenging period of global change. The President underscored the US withdrawal of combat forces from Iraq this summer. In a rebuke to bigoted anti-Muslim extremists who are eagerly pressing for broader wars against Muslims in the Middle East, the President pointed out that Muslims are integral to American culture including members of the graduating class at West Point.
 The President: It is wonderful to be back at the United States Military Academy -- the oldest continuously occupied military post in America -- as we commission the newest officers in the United States Army.
Thank you, General Hagenbeck, for your introduction, on a day that holds special meaning for you and the Dean, General Finnegan. Both of you first came to West Point in the Class of 1971 and went on to inspire soldiers under your command. You've led this Academy to a well-deserved recognition: best college in America. (Applause.) And today, you're both looking forward to a well-deserved retirement from the Army. General Hagenbeck and Judy, General Finnegan and Joan, we thank you for 39 years of remarkable service to the Army and to America. (Applause.)
To the Commandant, General Rapp, the Academy staff and faculty, most of whom are veterans, thank you for your service and for inspiring these cadets to become the "leaders of character" they are today. (Applause.) Let me also acknowledge the presence of General Shinseki, Secretary McHugh, the members of Congress who are with us here today, including two former soldiers this Academy knows well, Senator Jack Reed and Congressman Patrick Murphy. (Applause.)
To all the families here -- especially all the moms and dads -- this day is a tribute to you as well. The decision to come to West Point was made by your sons and daughters, but it was you who instilled in them a spirit of service that has led them to this hallowed place in a time of war. So on behalf of the American people, thank you for your example and thank you for your patriotism. (Applause.)
To the United States Corps of Cadets, and most of all, the Class of 2010 -- it is a singular honor to serve as your Commander-in-Chief. As your Superintendent indicated, under our constitutional system my power as President is wisely limited. But there are some areas where my power is absolute. And so, as your Commander-in-Chief, I hereby absolve all cadets who are on restriction for minor conduct offenses. (Applause.) I will leave the definition of "minor" -- (laughter) -- to those who know better. (Laughter.)
Class of 2010, today is your day -- a day to celebrate all that you've achieved, in the finest tradition of the soldier-scholar, and to look forward to the important service that lies ahead.
You have pushed yourself through the agony of Beast Barracks, the weeks of training in rain and mud, and, I'm told, more inspections and drills than perhaps any class before you. Along the way, I'm sure you faced a few moments when you asked yourself: "What am I doing here?" I have those moments sometimes. (Laughter.)
You've trained for the complexities of today's missions, knowing that success will be measured not merely by performance on the battlefield, but also by your understanding of the cultures and traditions and languages in the place where you serve.
You've reached out across borders, with more international experience than any class in Academy history. You've not only attended foreign academies to forge new friendships, you've welcomed into your ranks cadets from nearly a dozen countries.
You've challenged yourself intellectually in the sciences and the humanities, in history and technology. You've achieved a standard of academic excellence that is without question, tying the record for the most post-graduate scholarships of any class in West Point history. (Applause.)
 This includes your number one overall cadet and your valedictorian -- Liz Betterbed and Alex Rosenberg. And by the way, this is the first time in Academy history where your two top awards have been earned by female candidates. (Applause.)
This underscores a fact that I've seen in the faces of our troops from Baghdad to Bagram -- in the 21st century, our women in uniform play an indispensable role in our national defense. And time and again, they have proven themselves to be role models for our daughters and our sons -- as students and as soldiers and as leaders in the United States armed forces.
And the faces in this stadium show a simple truth: America's Army represents the full breadth of America's experience. You come from every corner of our country -- from privilege and from poverty, from cities and small towns. You worship all of the great religions that enrich the life of our people. You include the vast diversity of race and ethnicity that is fundamental to our nation's strength.
There is, however, one thing that sets you apart. Here in these quiet hills, you've come together to prepare for the most difficult test of our time. You signed up knowing your service would send you into harm's way, and you did so long after the first drums of war were sounded. In you we see the commitment of our country, and timeless virtues that have served our nation well.
We see your sense of duty -- including those who have earned their right shoulder patch -- their right shoulder combat patches, like the soldier who suffered a grenade wound in Iraq, yet still helped his fellow soldiers to evacuate -- your First Captain of the Corps of Cadets, Tyler Gordy. (Applause.)
We see your sense of honor -- in your respect for tradition, knowing that you join a Long Grey Line that stretches through the centuries; and in your reverence for each other, as when the Corps stands in silence every time a former cadet makes the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Indeed, today we honor the 78 graduates of this Academy who have given their lives for our freedom and our security in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And we see your love of country -- a devotion to America captured in the motto you chose as a class, a motto which will guide your lives of service: "Loyal 'Til the End."
 Duty. Honor. Love of country. Everything you have learned here, all that you've achieved here, has prepared you for today -- when you raise your right hand; when you take that oath; when your loved one or mentor pins those gold bars on your shoulders; when you become, at long last, commissioned officers in the United States Army.
This is the ninth consecutive commencement that has taken place at West Point with our nation at war. This time of war began in Afghanistan -- a place that may seem as far away from this peaceful bend in the Hudson River as anywhere on Earth. The war began only because our own cities and civilians were attacked by violent extremists who plotted from a distant place, and it continues only because that plotting persists to this day.
For many years, our focus was on Iraq. And year after year, our troops faced a set of challenges there that were as daunting as they were complex. A lesser Army might have seen its spirit broken. But the American military is more resilient than that. Our troops adapted, they persisted, they partnered with coalition and Iraqi counterparts, and through their competence and creativity and courage, we are poised to end our combat mission in Iraq this summer. (Applause.)
Even as we transition to an Iraqi lead and bring our troops home, our commitment to the Iraqi people endures. We will continue to advise and assist Iraqi security forces, who are already responsible for security in most of the country. And a strong American civilian presence will help Iraqis forge political and economic progress. This will not be a simple task, but this is what success looks like: an Iraq that provides no haven to terrorists; a democratic Iraq that is sovereign and stable and self-reliant.
And as we end the war in Iraq, though, we are pressing forward in Afghanistan. Six months ago, I came to West Point to announce a new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. And I stand here humbled by the knowledge that many of you will soon be serving in harm's way. I assure you, you will go with the full support of a proud and grateful nation.
We face a tough fight in Afghanistan. Any insurgency that is confronted with a direct challenge will turn to new tactics. And from Marja to Kandahar, that is what the Taliban has done through assassination and indiscriminate killing and intimidation. Moreover, any country that has known decades of war will be tested in finding political solutions to its problems, and providing governance that can sustain progress and serve the needs of its people.
So this war has changed over the last nine years, but it's no less important than it was in those days after 9/11. We toppled the Taliban regime -- now we must break the momentum of a Taliban insurgency and train Afghan security forces. We have supported the election of a sovereign government -- now we must strengthen its capacities. We've brought hope to the Afghan people -- now we must see that their country does not fall prey to our common enemies. Cadets, there will be difficult days ahead. We will adapt, we will persist, and I have no doubt that together with our Afghan and international partners, we will succeed in Afghanistan. (Applause.)
Now even as we fight the wars in front of us, we also have to see the horizon beyond these wars -- because unlike a terrorist whose goal is to destroy, our future will be defined by what we build. We have to see that horizon, and to get there we must pursue a strategy of national renewal and global leadership. We have to build the sources of America's strength and influence, and shape a world that's more peaceful and more prosperous.
 Time and again, Americans have risen to meet and to shape moments of change. This is one of those moments -- an era of economic transformation and individual empowerment; of ancient hatreds and new dangers; of emerging powers and new global challenges. And we're going to need all of you to help meet these challenges. You've answered the call. You, and all who wear America's uniform, remain the cornerstone of our national defense, the anchor of global security. And through a period when too many of our institutions have acted irresponsibly, the American military has set a standard of service and sacrifice that is as great as any in this nation's history. (Applause.)
Now the rest of us -- the rest of us must do our part. And to do so, we must first recognize that our strength and influence abroad begins with steps we take at home. We must educate our children to compete in an age where knowledge is capital, and the marketplace is global. We must develop clean energy that can power new industry and unbound us from foreign oil and preserve our planet. We have to pursue science and research that unlocks wonders as unforeseen to us today as the microchip and the surface of the moon were a century ago.
Simply put, American innovation must be the foundation of American power -- because at no time in human history has a nation of diminished economic vitality maintained its military and political primacy. And so that means that the civilians among us, as parents and community leaders, elected officials, business leaders, we have a role to play. We cannot leave it to those in uniform to defend this country -- we have to make sure that America is building on its strengths. (Applause.)
As we build these economic sources of our strength, the second thing we must do is build and integrate the capabilities that can advance our interests, and the common interests of human beings around the world. America's armed forces are adapting to changing times, but your efforts have to be complemented. We will need the renewed engagement of our diplomats, from grand capitals to dangerous outposts. We need development experts who can support Afghan agriculture and help Africans build the capacity to feed themselves. We need intelligence agencies that work seamlessly with their counterparts to unravel plots that run from the mountains of Pakistan to the streets of our cities. We need law enforcement that can strengthen judicial systems abroad, and protect us here at home. And we need first responders who can act swiftly in the event of earthquakes and storms and disease.
The burdens of this century cannot fall on our soldiers alone. It also cannot fall on American shoulders alone. Our adversaries would like to see America sap its strength by overextending our power. And in the past, we've always had the foresight to avoid acting alone. We were part of the most powerful wartime coalition in human history through World War II. We stitched together a community of free nations and institutions to endure and ultimately prevail during a Cold War.
Yes, we are clear-eyed about the shortfalls of our international system. But America has not succeeded by stepping out of the currents of cooperation -- we have succeeded by steering those currents in the direction of liberty and justice, so nations thrive by meeting their responsibilities and face consequences when they don't.
So we have to shape an international order that can meet the challenges of our generation. We will be steadfast in strengthening those old alliances that have served us so well, including those who will serve by your side in Afghanistan and around the globe. As influence extends to more countries and capitals, we also have to build new partnerships, and shape stronger international standards and institutions.
 This engagement is not an end in itself. The international order we seek is one that can resolve the challenges of our times -- countering violent extremism and insurgency; stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and securing nuclear materials; combating a changing climate and sustaining global growth; helping countries feed themselves and care for their sick; preventing conflict and healing wounds. If we are successful in these tasks, that will lessen conflicts around the world. It will be supportive of our efforts by our military to secure our country.
More than anything else, though, our success will be claimed by who we are as a country. This is more important than ever, given the nature of the challenges that we face. Our campaign to disrupt, dismantle, and to defeat al Qaeda is part of an international effort that is necessary and just.
But this is a different kind of war. There will be no simple moment of surrender to mark the journey's end -- no armistice, no banner headline. Though we have had more success in eliminating al Qaeda leaders in recent months than in recent years, they will continue to recruit, and plot, and exploit our open society. We see that in bombs that go off in Kabul and Karachi. We see it in attempts to blow up an airliner over Detroit or an SUV in Times Square, even as these failed attacks show that pressure on networks like al Qaeda is forcing them to rely on terrorists with less time and space to train. We see the potential duration of this struggle in al Qaeda's gross distortions of Islam, their disrespect for human life, and their attempt to prey upon fear and hatred and prejudice.
So the threat will not go away soon, but let's be clear: Al Qaeda and its affiliates are small men on the wrong side of history. They lead no nation. They lead no religion. We need not give in to fear every time a terrorist tries to scare us. We should not discard our freedoms because extremists try to exploit them. We cannot succumb to division because others try to drive us apart. We are the United States of America. (Applause.) We are the United States of America, and we have repaired our union, and faced down fascism, and outlasted communism. We've gone through turmoil, we've gone through Civil War, and we have come out stronger -- and we will do so once more. (Applause.)
 And I know this to be true because I see the strength and resilience of the American people. Terrorists want to scare us. New Yorkers just go about their lives unafraid. (Applause.) Extremists want a war between America and Islam, but Muslims are part of our national life, including those who serve in our United States Army. (Applause.) Adversaries want to divide us, but we are united by our support for you -- soldiers who send a clear message that this country is both the land of the free and the home of the brave. (Applause.)
You know, in an age of instant access to information, a lot of cynicism in the news, it's easy to lose perspective in a flood of pictures and the swirl of political debate. Power and influence can seem to ebb and flow. Wars and grand plans can be deemed won or lost day to day, even hour to hour. As we experience the immediacy of the image of a suffering child or the boasts of a prideful dictator, it's easy to give in to the belief sometimes that human progress has stalled -- that events are beyond our control, that change is not possible.
But this nation was founded upon a different notion. We believe, "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." (Applause.) And that truth has bound us together, a nation populated by people from around the globe, enduring hardship and achieving greatness as one people. And that belief is as true today as it was 200 years ago. It is a belief that has been claimed by people of every race and religion in every region of the world. Can anybody doubt that this belief will be any less true -- any less powerful -- two years, two decades, or even two centuries from now?
And so a fundamental part of our strategy for our security has to be America's support for those universal rights that formed the creed of our founding. And we will promote these values above all by living them -- through our fidelity to the rule of law and our Constitution, even when it's hard; even when we're being attacked; even when we're in the midst of war.
And we will commit ourselves to forever pursuing a more perfect union. Together with our friends and allies, America will always seek a world that extends these rights so that when an individual is being silenced, we aim to be her voice. Where ideas are suppressed, we provide space for open debate. Where democratic institutions take hold, we add a wind at their back. When humanitarian disaster strikes, we extend a hand. Where human dignity is denied, America opposes poverty and is a source of opportunity. That is who we are. That is what we do.
We do so with no illusions. We understand change doesn't come quick. We understand that neither America nor any nation can dictate every outcome beyond its borders. We know that a world of mortal men and women will never be rid of oppression or evil. What we can do, what we must do, is work and reach and fight for the world that we seek -- all of us, those in uniform and those who are not.
And in preparing for today, I turned to the world -- to the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes. And reflecting on his Civil War experience, he said, and I quote, "To fight out a war you must believe in something and want something with all your might. So must you do to carry anything else to an end worth reaching." Holmes went on, "More than that, you must be willing to commit yourself to a course, perhaps a long and hard one, without being able to foresee exactly where you will come out."
America does not fight for the sake of fighting. We abhor war. As one who has never experienced the field of battle -- and I say that with humility, knowing, as General MacArthur said, "the soldier above all others prays for peace" -- we fight because we must. We fight to keep our families and communities safe. We fight for the security of our allies and partners, because America believes that we will be safer when our friends are safer; that we will be stronger when the world is more just.
So cadets, a long and hard road awaits you. You go abroad because your service is fundamental to our security back home. You go abroad as representatives of the values that this country was founded upon. And when you inevitably face setbacks -- when the fighting is fierce or a village elder is fearful; when the end that you are seeking seems uncertain -- think back to West Point.
Here, in this peaceful part of the world, you have drilled and you have studied and come of age in the footsteps of great men and women -- Americans who faced times of trial, and who even in victory could not have foreseen the America they helped to build, the world they helped to shape.
George Washington was able to free a band of patriots from the rule of an empire, but he could not have foreseen his country growing to include 50 states connecting two oceans.
Grant was able to save a union and see the slaves freed, but he could not have foreseen just how much his country would extend full rights and opportunities to citizens of every color.
Eisenhower was able to see Germany surrender and a former enemy grow into an ally, but he could not have foreseen the Berlin Wall coming down without a shot being fired.
Today it is your generation that has borne a heavy burden -- soldiers, graduates of this Academy like John Meyer and Greg Ambrosia who have braved enemy fire, protected their units, carried out their missions, earned the commendation of this Army, and of a grateful nation.
 From the birth of our existence, America has had a faith in the future -- a belief that where we're going is better than where we've been, even when the path ahead is uncertain. To fulfill that promise, generations of Americans have built upon the foundation of our forefathers -- finding opportunity, fighting injustice, forging a more perfect union. Our achievement would not be possible without the Long Grey Line that has sacrificed for duty, for honor, for country. (Applause.)
And years from now when you return here, when for you the shadows have grown longer, I have no doubt that you will have added your name to the book of history. I have no doubt that we will have prevailed in the struggles of our times. I have no doubt that your legacy will be an America that has emerged stronger, and a world that is more just, because we are Americans, and our destiny is never written for us, it is written by us, and we are ready to lead once more.
Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)
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Obama's Nobel Acceptance Speech |
 Your Majesties, Your Royal
Highnesses, Distinguished Members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee,
citizens of America, and citizens of the world:
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Nobel Acceptance by Barack Obama |
 I am both surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel Committee.
Let me be clear, I do not view it as a recognition of my own
accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on
behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.
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Real Change is Possible / Obama UN Transcript |
 September 24, 2009
Good morning. Mr. President, Mr.
Secretary-General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is my
honor to address you for the first time as the 44th president of the
United States.
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Craddock scandal rocks NATO |
 February 1, 2009
In the wake of an international scandal mushrooming around the career of US General Bantz John Craddock, American credibility has collapsed inside the top echelons of NATO.
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Barack Obama's Cairo speech |
 June 4, 2009
I am honoured to be in the
timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable
institutions. For over a thousand years, al-Azhar has stood as a beacon
of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been
a source of Egypt's advancement.
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Cheney, Netanyahu, Permanent War, and Why By Steven Jonas |
 June 7, 2009
As Dick Cheney makes the media
rounds attempting to justify both the War on Iraq and torture, since
Bush has virtually gone into hiding he has revealed to the world just
who was running the show. He has also revealed its true goals.
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Calm Voice, Big Stick by Uri Avnery |
 May 23, 2009
Barack Obama is often compared
to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but it is from the book of another
Roosevelt that he has taken a leaf: President Theodore Roosevelt, who,
108 years ago, advised his successors: “Speak softly and carry a big
stick!”
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U.S. Stirs a Hornet's Nest in Pakistan by Eric Margolis |
 May 17, 2009
Pakistan finally bowed to
Washington's angry demands last week by unleashing its military against
rebellious Pashtun tribesmen of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) --
collectively mislabelled "Taliban" in the West.
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When He Says Yes, What Does He Mean? by Uri Avnery |
 June 18, 2009
“YOU MUST be celebrating,” theinterviewer from a popular radio station told me after Netanyahu’sspeech. “After all, he is accepting the plan which you proposed 42years ago!” (Actually it was 60 years ago, but who is counting?)
The front page of Haaretz carried an article by Gideon Levy, in whichhe wrote that “the courageous call of Uri Avnery and his friends fourdecades ago is now being echoed, though feebly, from end to end (of theIsraeli political spectrum).” |
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Iran is not Nazi Germany, and "Sir Winston Peres" is a Disaster by Uri Avnery |
 May 10, 2009
Does the comparison of Iran to Nazi Germany serve Israeli interests?
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Police crackdown on Peace activists in Jerusalem |
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This assault on the adherents of peace and democracy follows after Lieberman took over the police and state prosecution.
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Obama won't wink back by Uri Avnery |
 June 13, 2009
Remember Dov Weisglass? The one
who said that peace must wait until the Palestinians become Finns? Who
talked about preserving the peace process in formaldehyde? However,
Weisglass will mainly be remembered less for his mouth than his eyes.
Weisglass is the King of the Wink.
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 Uri Avnery
Is this the government of Biberman (Bibi Netanyahu and Avigdor Liberman) or perhaps of Bibarak (Bibi and Ehud Barak)? Neither. It is the government of Bibiyahu.
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The Strategy Vacuum by Michael Carmichael |
February 12, 2009
In spite of our elaborate pretensions to democracy, warlords rule the world.
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 A Spanish judge has instituted a judicial inquiry against seven Israeli political and military personalities on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
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The Tone & the Music by Uri Avnery |
 One man spoke to the world, and the world listened. He walked onto the stage in Cairo, alone, without hosts and without aides, and delivered a sermon to an audience of billions.
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Racists for Democracy by Uri Avnery |
 May 31, 2009
How lucky we are to have the extreme Right standing guard over our democracy.
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On the wrong side by Uri Avnery |
Of all the beautiful phrases in
Barack Obama’s inauguration speech, these are the words that stuck in
my mind: “You are on the wrong side of history.”
He was talking about the tyrannical regimes of the world. But we, too, should ponder these words.
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The boss has gone mad by Uri Avnery - January 17, 2009 |
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In coming years it will become apparent that this war was sheer
madness. The boss has indeed gone mad – in the original sense of the
word.
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An Unnecessary War by Jimmy Carter |
 I know from personal involvement that the devastating invasion of Gaza by Israel could easily have been avoided.
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Brink of catastrophe by Avi Shlaim |
 The only way to make sense of
Israel's senseless war in Gaza is through understanding the historical
context. Establishing the state of Israel in May 1948 involved a
monumental injustice to the Palestinians.
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Obama's Bay of Pigs by Michael Carmichael |
The volcano is erupting, and the lava pouring forth is a bold and deliberate challenge metaphorically slapping the face of President-Elect Barack Obama. The architect of Obama’s challenge is, of course, Lame Duck President George W. Bush.
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My 85th birthday by Uri Avnery |
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Uri Avnery is the sage of Israel. The founder of the Israeli peace movement, Gush Shalom, Avnery calls for the reinvigoration of the peace movement by direct engagement with politics as well as the emergence of an Israeli Obama, presumably, a leader of dual descent delivering a message of hope driven by a new language of peace.
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 A war of words has broken out between the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee, Senator Joseph Biden and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
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Seismic Diplomacy by Michael Carmichael |
Like a seismic tremor before a volcanic explosion, the pressure for peace in the Middle East is ratcheting upwards on the diplomatic Richter Scale.
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What Went Wrong in the Capitalist Casino? by Tony Benn |
 "The great inter-war slumps were not acts of God or of blind forces. They were the sure and certain result of the concentration of too much economic power in the hands of too few men. These men had only learned how to act in the interest of their own bureaucratically-run private monopolies which may be likened to totalitarian oligarchies within our democratic state, They had and they felt no responsibility to the nation."
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Suicidal statecraft by Michael Carmichael |
 The cold hand of the cosmic clock has now moved well past one minute to midnight. We are spiraling downwards in an unstoppable vortex impelled by the winds of war.
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Carter To Meet Hamas Leader: Jazeera |
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Two days ago, Obama used the impressive term, "diplomatic surge," when he was questioned about Iraq and General Petraeus' testimony.
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Uri Avnery congratulates Carter |
Uri Avnery, the founder of the Israeli Peace movement, Gush Shalom, applauds Jimmy Carter's mission to the Middle East. With thanks to Heathcote Williams
Click Here to Read the Article.
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World News 
