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Live Coverage: Clinton as Secretary of State
Monday, December 01, 2008
Barack Obama announces his foreign policy team today, including Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.
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Response to "what foreign policy change":
Couple no-brainers:
1. Suspend US Taxpayer welfare (such as EXIM Bank) currently granted to US Weapons-related exporters,
and
2. Stop at nothing to prosecute any US politicians -- Dem and Repub alike -- who break US laws, including those relating to Iraq war, payoffs, bribery, dirty campaign tricks, etc. -- no matter how embarrassing to the US govt and people in the short term.
Start in our own backyard -- end the embargo, the slow garroting of the Cuban people and economy
I would like to see firm action on Israel and Palestine. This might mean stronger action to force Israel to remove illegal settlements, restore freedom of movement and end the siege of Gaza.
An Obama administration will have to find a way to deal with Hamas, which has signaled that it will accept a two state solution.
With Rahm Emmanuel and Clinton by his side, no one can accuse him of not supporting Israel. It's time for the United States to support a vision of Israel that does not include settlements or occupation.
I am editor of Peace in the MIddle East, at www.middleeast.change.org
Response to "what foreign policy change":
End the Racist Imperialist war in Iraq. Pull the troops out tomorrow and please, please, please fund the VA and treat the returning troops like human beings and not commodities.
End the trade embargo of Cuba. Allow free travel of all US citizens to Cuba.
We need to mend relations with many of our allies. The present administration has reduced our credibility to nothing more than a joke. Other countries are laughing at us. Also, something needs to be done to stop all the exporting of jobs to other countries; but I'm not sure that would be a change in foreign policy - or would it?
CLOSE THE GUANTANAMO BAY GULAG!
Guantanemo is truly a symbol of everything that is wrong about the Bush administration ideology.
Closing Guantanemo ought to be at the top of the Obama administration agenda if we are to restore America's foreign policy standing in the world.
Change in US foreign policy would be to re-think our relationships in the Americas and restore popular democracies in the region, a policy we claim to support elsewhere: 1) Restore Aristide and his supporters in Haiti, relieve Haiti of her debts. 2) Fidel Castro is no longer a threat to the US--if he ever was one. If the Cold War against Communism is indeed over (remember "red" China?), lift the embargo against Cuba! Why continue to make the Cuban people suffer? 3) Re-think our relationship to the current right-wing Colombian government, etc., etc...
a more even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian issue. American politicians should look at the majority of Israelis and American Jews and see that their viewpoints do not match those of the far-right lobbiests in the US.
No need to say more, CUBA. Let's finally get it right, although Hillary seems to favor the status quo as it exist now. If we can deal with China, North Korea and other previous rivals why in the world can't we do what's best for Cuba and the US. Given time, I think that Cuba will be the next hot spot on the planet....even statehood?
End the embargo against Cuba ASAP
Bring the war in Iraq and Afghanistan to an end through diplomacy. Work with countries in the region, friend and foe to resolve issues and then provide adequate funding and resources to rebuild these countries and their economies. Unless we do a thorough job, these countries and the areas around them will remain troubled. Then there is Somalia, Kashmir and a host of other conflicts..... We don't have all the answers, therefore, we must listen to our allies and enemies....
Obama should leave Iraq and Afganistan and attack terror, not counting coperation with foreign governmets. militarily by airpower and commando attacks but never by occupation or huge amount of soldiers. That should only be used when you want to destroy the country not do something to change it
I hope this administration will view problems as opportunities -- for example, the attacks in Mumbai should be seen as an opportunity to improve education, poverty and alienation in Pakistan, and to urge India to improve relations between Muslims and Hindus. Violence in the world will only be eradicated by improving the lives of disenfranchised people in poor nations.
Agree totally with commenter No. 4. U.S. needs to abandon the fruitless (indeed counter-productive) Midde East "peace process". Please, no more Dennis Ross-type "mediation" missions. The U.S. can never be an honest broker because it will not hold Israel to account for its policies, which have done great damage to American interests worldwide. A holistic, regional approach, based on United Nations resolutions, should be revitalized. Addressing the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, including opening negotiations with Hamas, would earn the U.S. tremendous international goodwill and credibility -- and it is the right thing to do. All of this may be unlikely with Hillary at State, but we must continue to hope -- audaciously!
On January 21 the new administration can restore the right to non-tourist travel to Cuba by providing general licenses for twelve categories, including family (Cuban American), educational, religious, humanitarian, cultural, sports and "support for the Cuban people".
Restoring the right to travel for all Americans, like lifting the embargo, requires the President to work with Congress to repeal all or part of Helms-Burton.
A Zogby poll in October reported 68% of Americans, and 84% of Obama supporters, want to end travel restrictions. They should let him know this issue is a priority via his ":my vision" website or on line at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/obamacuba/
End the trade embargo against Cuba.Close Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and give it back to the cubans.Let Americans travel to cuba like the rest of the world.
Agree with all above comments regarding Cuba, Palestine and Israel. In addition, consider establishing a no-fly zone over Darfur and figure out what to do about the Congo.
We need to start speaking to the rest of the world. Enemies as much as friends.
President-elect Obama and his new administration need to honor the platform that he ran on, which included strong support for human rights.
Just a month ago at the UN, 147 states voted to move forward on the creation of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Only the US and Zimbabwe voted against it.
The US must not only reverse its vote but also work to ensure that the ATT includes language curbing arms sales to countries that commit egregious human rights violations against their own people.
This would be a giant step forward in honoring Mr. Obama’s commitment and would reassert America’s role as a leader in the promotion of human rights in places such as Burma and elsewhere.
A change in foreign policy needs to begin with a change in attitude towards other countries, namely drop the arrogance toward other countries, which has led to the approach where we tell the world how it's going to be done, rather than coming to the table to talk as equal partners. It has also led to a loss of respect by other countries for us.
I believe we should also approach our enemies in a similar way. Previous foreign policies have only led to drawn-out war. It is time to try something new: come to the table with someone we disagree with, show them some respect, and see how the tone begins to change. I'm convince this can change more than anyone suspects.
We have a lot to do to improve our standing in the world. A fresh approach to foreign policy is critical and compulsory.
If you want to improve relations with Cuba, here's what Hillary's record is, according to Andrew Sullivan:
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/09/hillary-and-bar.html
"Now Hillary Clinton -- who has visited China and who supports relations with Vietnam and who has praised Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill and Under Secretary of State R. Nicholas Burns on what seems so far to be fairly successful nuclear deal-making with North Korea -- has spoken out against change in America's stance towards Cuba and in favor of George W. Bush's position."
Although she is more than qualified, I think Senator Clinton is making a very grave mistake that will cost her any aspirations she might have to become a President herself in the future mark my words when I tell you she will make a mistake the Obama administration would expect her to make and she will end up being asked to resign or she will resign on her own accord. That will end her future political career. Mark my words.
This must be tough for her. Hilary is doing great!
I cant believe he let "that woman" back in the circle.
Oh well fan dance is over, hope she does well.
Gates was a no brainer.
Didn't Susan Rice get canned during the election?
She's back on!
The Iraq war is already over...dint tell me he is going to try to take credit for that?
The war is Pakistan vs Afghanistan
Good to know Obama is going to ramp that up.
Sorry Move On crowd.
Yes to Cuba as our 51st state!
Well let's just hope that Clinton's policies don't become Obama's policies on Cuba--and elsewhere where they've till now disagreed. Let's hope that after he listens to her points of view he decides for himself and is not just influenced in the directions she has until now proposed. Hopefully (and unfortunately) her policies were just political jibberish to get votes in her attempt to get specific groups to vote her to the candidacy in the primaries.
On Israel, here's what Hillary said about the wall:
http://www.antiwar.com/frank/?articleid=10372
"This is not against the Palestinian people," Clinton said as she gazed over the massive wall. "This is against the terrorists. The Palestinian people have to help to prevent terrorism. They have to change the attitudes about terrorism."
Oh yes General Jones your family is so great. Another ego. lol
i heard the clintons put a hex on BHO and now he serves to please their EVERY whim
Huge mistake picking Janet Napolitano for Homeland Security Secy!!!
She was the Democrat with the best chance to defeat John McCain when he's up for re-election.
Obama gave McCain a gift he doesn't deserve considering the dirty, nauseating, Joe McCarthy type campaign he ran.
This is what Hillary said about Iran's nuclear program. As I understand it, this is diplomatic-speak for saying that she wants to let Israel bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. Correct?
http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=8428
"And we cannot take any option off the table in sending a clear message to the current leadership of Iran – that they will not be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons."
4 years of Biden....oh man
1) End corruption in Afghanistan–
2) Get out of Iraq–
3) Transform American anti-terror tactics from militarism into pro-infrastructure/anti-poverty initiatives
4) Pump up the PeaceCorp and other civilian service opportunities
barry from Manhattan:
It was Samantha Power that resigned from the campaign for her comments about Clinton... but she is back now
Some folks just said "Bomb Bomb Bomb BomB bOmb Iran"
Hillary said it a little differently.
But yea, much like in 1981 vs Iraq, Israel will take out the nuke facilities of Iran. As much as they can reach anyway.
Phew, can we move on?
Thanks D.
Ending corruption in Afghanistan is a noble goal, looks like we should start by making sure to pay off the right people to begin with.
That will be a tough one, but is certainly a huge problem and the source of so much frustration.
Obama's selections are all hawks, according to David Sanger of the NYT:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/us/politics/01policy.html?_r=1&hp
"two veteran cold warriors and a political rival whose records are all more hawkish than that of the new president"
maybe we should ask our arab allies (egypt, kuwait, saudi arabia) to reform and give their people basic human rights
Question:
Do those of you who voted for Obama as a peace candidate feel disappointed? Betrayed?
barry/Manhattan:
It was Samantha Power that got canned.
Norman: Obama has stated that his stance vis-a-vis Iran acquiring nuclear weapons is the same. In that his statements were more hawkish than McCain's.
Norman:
Hate to break it to you. He was never a peace candidate.
A preliminary verdict on "change" cannot be delivered until May - June 2009. It doesn't matter who the players or what their personal histories are; what matters is the policy that emerges after the inauguration.
Samantha Powers wrote a column in the Washington Post in which she said that Hamas was committing terrorism against Israel, but Israel was not committing terrorism against Palestinians (by shooting ambulances, allowing settlers to shoot Palestinian farmers when they try to harvest olives, starving the population, etc.)
"May Gd Bless YOU and May GD Bless America"
So Hillary is His designate now that GWB is out?
norman,
i am never a one issue voter, people who are are often disappointed.
>Norman:
>Hate to break it to you. He was never a peace candidate
I never thought he was.
"Change" was one of the "Optimistic Positive Governing Words" that Newt Gingrich, in his famous GOPAC memo, recommended that Republicans use.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article4443.htm
Though I support Obama's choices of economic and international team members I believe that his focus on the integration of national and global economic issues is weak. Part of this concerted international action is the need to transform the present international monetary system which means not only to reform the Bretton Woods Agreement, but to transform the nations’ balance of payments by including the ecological debts and credits that nations hold toward each other.
For more information, www.fcvnyc.blogspot.com
maybe we could go back to treating terror as a crime to be prevented and/or punished. bombing does not work.
End the embargo on Cuba.
End the war on drugs.
Direct low level talks with Iran.
Open an embassy in North Korea.
Appoint high quality auditors to monitor defense spending.
Use a carrot and stick approach to encourage the end of building settlements in the West Bank.
Stop the missile defense programs.
Support multilateral forces to stop the violence in the Congo.
Invade Zimbabwe and liberate the people.
Use Turkey as a negotiating partner with other middle eastern countries.
Support religious freedom.
Rebuild a CIA that builds on the ground intelligence.
Fund language programs throughout the United States.
Bring in more Arabs into the FBI and CIA.
Hire anthropologists and historians of religion to help understand aspects of our current conflict.
Gates didn't say that about the State budget thing. Mike Mullen did.
God yes this is change.
When you have a driver who is driving like a maniac, careening off the road, the change you need is for someone to take the wheel and be moderate and rational. You DON'T necessarily need the new driver to take a left hand turn immediately-- that would be a misunderstanding of "change" and possibly just as dangerous because it is also irrational. Obama is doing everything right. The change is to go FROM chest-beating jingoistic arrogance TO calm, measured, intelligent circumspect strength. I couldn't be happier with this team. This is the change I voted for.
Anyone who voted for Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton as a peace candidate or a great liberal candidate wasn't paying attention, and instead was seeing/hearing what s/he wanted to see/hear.
Obama spoke of his differences with Hillary on Iraq as being demonstrative of his superior judgement. There was never a difference in values, or even a difference in acceptable tools. They each had a difference in magnifying their differences, but that didn't make them any greater in fact.
Obama is difference in style. He is difference in how he would treat those who disagree with him. He has a different view of what the process should be in Washington, and of how to get there. But they are both smart center-left moderates.
Center-*left*?
Left of what?
hjs #39,
This is the most thoughtful and enlightened comment I've read on this thread. Arab govts are disgraceful for the way they repress and brutalize their own citizens.
Lifting the embargo on Cuba will be a clear signal that our foreign policy is finally moving in a rational direction.
seth
thanks maybe BL should have a segment on the why and how, and what is our role since we do prop these dictators up.
To all left leaning critics of Obama's choices:
Please consider the nightmare alternative if McCain had won - VICE PRESIDENT SARAH PALIN!!Now breathe a huge sigh of relief!!
Norman #47,
Then it was a rhetorical question? (#40)
Catherine/ rockville center:
Exactly. Competence in the federal government IS change.
ceolaf/Brooklyn,
You speak my mind.
mc and hjs,
I'll take Hillary in a nanosecond as Secy of State over Palin as VP. People can always evolve in terms of policy positions. People can't evolve in terms of IQ scores.
I've been mostly offline since Election Day but when I've browsed the comment threads, I haven't seen a single post by eva. Have either of you seen any posts from eva?
seth,
I have not seen anything from eva since the election. As you already know, no doubt, I am not in the hysterical anti-Palin camp. I see her as an incompetent, unprepared right-wing nut-case. That is all. I think the media are having a hard time giving her up. I think I will like Hillary as Sec'y of State, although I regret losing her as a senator. I can't blame her for making the move. I don't think the other Dems in the Senate appreciate her.
Re: Arab governments, I think it is useful to remember that while there is much to criticize in the Israeli treatment of Arabs, it treats its Arab citizens better than most Arab regimes.
Bill Clinton and Ehud Barak offered the Palestinians peace, land, statehood and boatloads of money, the Palestinians responded with terror. The offer made by Israel at the end of the Clinton administration was so good that Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and most of Europe begged the Palestinians to accept peace and statehood and reject war and terror. The Palestinians chose terror over a future for their children.
Bill Clinton said that Arafat was his greatest disappointment of 8 years in office. Hillary Clinton understands that Israel is a moral giant and is waiting for the Palestinians to choose peace over terror. Someday the Palestinians will reject the desctruction of Israel and accept the statehood they have been rejecting since 1948.
Peter:
I understand your position, but status quo won't work -- the Arab population is growing much faster than the Jewish population. While Arafat was a giant example of an awful statesman, I don't think the world can hold all Palestinian individuals responsible for his actions or the actions of the terrorists, just as the world should not hold the actions of Jewish settlers throwing rocks at Palestinian children against all Jews.
There are extremists on both sides preventing the accord that needs to happen. Maybe Hillary Clinton can make some headway toward making that happen, but in the end the players in the conflict have to decide that peace is more important than the conflict. No one can do that for them.
eva is MIA
i always wondered if she was working for the obama campaign, but maybe that's just my paranoia
mc
is peter talking about the agreement that would have made the Palestinian state look like apartheid style bantustans, a wholly unviable nation? Arafat protecting the future of his state
1. Allow ALL AMERICANS to visit Cuba as often as they want.
2. No restrictions on the money that Cuban-Americans can send to their relatives in the island.
3. Last, but not least: END THE EMBARGO. It is an act of arrogance and imperialism on the part of the United States government.
4. Re-establish diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
hjs, seth, mc!
I told you I was volunteering for Obama late in the campaign. I wrote a long description of it (do I write short descriptions, ever?)
I was trying to get you guys to phone-bank. You gave me luke-warm "maybes" but the votes were what counted, I guess.
You have a short memory!
I'm with Seth, hjs, mc on basically everything here. And Obama's doing a great job of unifying not just liberals, but conservatives. We need all the help we can get.
I agree with people who are happy with not making huge changes right off the bat. It's not the right time. Whoever wrote about the car going off the road analogy (Catherine #53)had it spot-on. And I can deal with Hil, it's cool. She'll be good.
Dear sir ,
Killing is never the just solution for many problems but it still goes on either from the State in the name of security and peace or from the group of people in the name of freedom but occupation , suppuration and
Keeping mass of people under might plus robbing the territories fortune in the name of Allah or bug wan is also never correct .
We are getting enough of our neighbors they must let us live on our own way from now on
It may be in your interest to be our masters but how can it be ours to be your slaves
Qaiser k
www.jklf.info
qaiser99@gmail.com
Mumbai atrocities highlight need for solution in Kashmir
Jihadi groups will exploit Muslim grievances unless peace can be brought to the troubled state
I am so glad that several people articulated that they would like to see Cuba join the Union.
I think is a good idea. I have been promoting such a thing since 1969. I came to the US from Cuba in 1961, at 15 years of age. When I visited Miami after living in Alabama, I noticed Cubans had not lost their identity and were Americans at the same time.
eva, good to heard from U!
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