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The White House Blog: Foreign Policy

  • The Vice President Meets with Ukrainian President Yushchenko

    Posted by Katherine Brandon on July 21, 2009 at 4:36 PM EST

    As we told you yesterday, the Vice President is in Kyiv, Ukraine today, where he met with President Viktor Yushchenko. After their meeting, the Vice President gave remarks to the press. He explained that his message to the people there is simple: the United States is committed to a strong, democratic, and prosperous Ukraine.
    He reiterated what the President said during his recent trip to Moscow, that the United States supports Ukraine’s sovereignty, and ability to make its own alliances:
    We consider, Mr. President, Ukraine to be a vital European partner for advancing stability, prosperity and democracy on the continent. And the President and I agreed that the United States and Ukraine will work together in the months and years to come to strengthen the strategic partnership.
    It is not for the United States to dictate what that partnership will be but to reiterate. And President Obama and I have stated clearly that if you choose to be part of Euro-Atlantic integration – which I believe you have – that we strongly support that. We do not recognize – and I want to reiterate it – any sphere of influence. We do not recognize anyone else's right to dictate to you or any other country what alliances you will seek to belong to or what relationships you – bilateral relationships you have.
    (Vice President Joe Biden tours the Holodomor famine memorial site with President Viktor Yushchenko after the two laid flowers and planted a tree, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 21, 2009. Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
    During their meeting, the two leaders also discussed the many challenges facing Ukraine, and how the United States can help Ukraine build its democracy and economy:
    I know it's hard, I know it's hard, and these are tough decisions that your government has to make. And I also know from experience of being in public life for a long time, it's harder to make tough decisions in election years. It's a difficult time in any democracy. I told the President what I will tell other officials with whom I'll be meeting today, that working together, especially in times of crisis, is not a choice, it’s an absolute necessity. And compromise, I might add, is not a sign of weakness, it is evidence of strength.
    Ukraine has come a long way in the short time since declaring independence in 1991. And Ukraine’s vibrant civil society – and it is vibrant – its engaged and free media, as we witnessed here today – and its lively democracy show the world that Ukraine will continue on its chosen path toward a prosperous future as an integral part of Europe.
     

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  • Highlights from Ghana

    Posted by Jason Djang on July 16, 2009 at 6:26 AM EST

    President Obama celebrates and challenges Africa in his first visit to the continent since being elected. Catch a glimpse of his reception among the Ghanaian people.
     
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    Learn much more about the trip, watch his full remarks, or read the text of the speech in five languages here.

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  • Secretary of State Clinton: "A New Era of Engagement"

    Posted by Katherine Brandon on July 15, 2009 at 5:55 PM EST

    Secretary of State Clinton gave a sweeping policy speech at the Council on Foreign Relations today. She outlined the administration’s goals and approaches to foreign policy, discussing some of the world’s greatest challenges, the shape of American leadership in the world, the need for global cooperation, and the benefits of diplomacy.
    She emphasized that although there are unprecedented foreign policy challenges facing America today, these challenges also present opportunities:
    But they are not reason to despair about the future.  The same forces that compound our problems – economic interdependence, open borders, and the speedy movement of information, capital, goods, services and people – are also part of the solution.  And with more states facing common challenges, we have the chance, and a profound responsibility, to exercise American leadership to solve problems in concert with others.  That is the heart of America’s mission in the world today.
    Now, some see the rise of other nations and our economic troubles here at home as signs that American power has waned.  Others simply don’t trust us to lead; they view America as an unaccountable power, too quick to impose its will at the expense of their interests and our principles.  But they are wrong.
    The question is not whether our nation can or should lead, but how it will lead in the 21st century.  Rigid ideologies and old formulas don’t apply.  We need a new mindset about how America will use its power to safeguard our nation, expand shared prosperity, and help more people in more places live up to their God-given potential.

    (President Barack Obama meets with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office Wednesday, July 15, 2009. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
    In facing these world challenges, she explained that there are two inescapable facts: no nation can meet these challenges alone, and most nations worry about the same global threats.  It makes sense then for nations to work together on common goals, creating a "different global architecture."  She explained how "smart power" can help build a foundation of global cooperation:
    And to these foes and would-be foes, let me say our focus on diplomacy and development is not an alternative to our national security arsenal.  Our willingness to talk is not a sign of weakness to be exploited.  We will not hesitate to defend our friends, our interests, and above all, our people vigorously and when necessary with the world’s strongest military.  This is not an option we seek nor is it a threat; it is a promise to all Americans.
    Building the architecture of global cooperation requires us to devise the right policies and use the right tools.  I speak often of smart power because it is so central to our thinking and our decision-making.  It means the intelligent use of all means at our disposal, including our ability to convene and connect.  It means our economic and military strength; our capacity for entrepreneurship and innovation; and the ability and credibility of our new President and his team.  It also means the application of old-fashioned common sense in policymaking.  It’s a blend of principle and pragmatism. 
    Smart power translates into specific policy approaches in five areas.  First, we intend to update and create vehicles for cooperation with our partners; second, we will pursue principled engagement with those who disagree with us; third, we will elevate development as a core pillar of American power; fourth, we will integrate civilian and military action in conflict areas; and fifth, we will leverage key sources of American power, including our economic strength and the power of our example.
    Secretary Clinton called for the need to cultivate partnerships to solve the world’s toughest conflicts.  She cited the recent Security Council resolutions on North Korea, which were unanimously passed, as an example of successful cooperation.  She then noted the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and called for action on all sides to secure peace between the two states. Progress has been made, she said, but more action is needed -- "So I say to all sides: Sending messages of peace is not enough. You must also act against the cultures of hate, intolerance and disrespect that perpetuate conflict."   
    The United States must lead with diplomacy, she said, and explained the administration’s approach to Iran:
    With this in mind, I want to say a few words about Iran.  We watched the energy of Iran’s election with great admiration, only to be appalled by the manner in which the government used violence to quell the voices of the Iranian people, and then tried to hide its actions by arresting foreign journalists and nationals, and expelling them, and cutting off access to technology.  As we and our G-8 partners have made clear, these actions are deplorable and unacceptable.
    We know very well what we inherited with Iran, because we deal with that inheritance every day.  We know that refusing to deal with the Islamic Republic has not succeeded in altering the Iranian march toward a nuclear weapon, reducing Iranian support for terror, or improving Iran’s treatment of its citizens. 
    Neither the President nor I have any illusions that dialogue with the Islamic Republic will guarantee success of any kind, and the prospects have certainly shifted in the weeks following the election.  But we also understand the importance of offering to engage Iran and giving its leaders a clear choice: whether to join the international community as a responsible member or to continue down a path to further isolation.

     

     

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  • A Few of Africa's Questions

    Posted by Katie Stanton on July 13, 2009 at 4:46 PM EST

    As mentioned last week, President Obama received thousands of comments and questions from over 80 countries worldwide related to his visit to Accra, Ghana. Several regional journalists picked a few questions for the President to answer which is covered in the video below.

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  • A New Moment of Promise in Africa

    Posted by Kol Peterson on July 11, 2009 at 9:40 AM EST

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    Today, the President gave a speech in Accra, Ghana. He laid out his vision for human rights and democracy in Africa’s future, and he described what America’s role in promoting better governance in Africa will be. The speech was entitled, "A New Moment of Promise." 
    We made sure that speech would be as accessible to as many Africans as possible on the radio, TV, and by SMS. These are the speech excerpts that we sent out to thousands of SMS subscribers in Africa and around the world.
    • It is an honor for me to be in Accra & to speak to the representatives of the people of Ghana. I am proud that this is my first visit to sub-Saharan Africa as President of the US.
    • The 21st century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Accra as well.
    • I will focus on four areas that are critical to the future of Africa and the entire developing world: democracy; opportunity; health; and the peaceful resolution of conflict.
    • Governments that respect the will of their own people are more prosperous, more stable, and more successful than governments that do not.
    • With better governance, I have no doubt that Africa holds the promise of a broader base for prosperity.
    • People must make responsible choices that prevent the spread of disease… promoting public health in their communities and countries.
    • America will support these efforts through a comprehensive, global health strategy.
    • Africa’s diversity should be a source of strength, not a cause for division
    • We must stand up to inhumanity in our midst. It is never justifiable to target innocents in the name of ideology.
    • I am speaking to the young people. You have the power to hold your leaders accountable, and to build institutions that serve the people.
    • I can promise you this: America will be with you. As a partner. As a friend. Freedom is your inheritance. Now, it is your responsibility to build upon freedom’s foundation. 
    The President speaks in Ghana
    (President Barack Obama addresses the Ghanaian Parliament in Accra, Ghana July 11, 2009. Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
     

     

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  • The President Takes Questions from Africa

    Posted by Katie Stanton on July 10, 2009 at 4:25 PM EST

    Tonight, President Obama arrives in Ghana in his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as President of the United States. Over the past week, we have been collecting questions, comments and words of welcome for President Obama via SMS, Twitter, Facebook and from newspapers across Africa. We shared these responses with 3 journalists in Africa, Ms. Angela Quintal of Independent Newspapers in South Africa, Mr. Mamadou Thior of Radio Television Senegal (RTS) and Mr. Peter Kimani of The Standard in Kenya. These journalists, in turn, picked a few of the questions for the President to answer.  We'll post a video and audio recording of those answers on Monday.
    Tomorrow at 8:40 AM EDT the President will address the Ghanaian Parliament -- you can listen live at WhiteHouse.gov/live. We'll also post the transcript and the audio of the speech soon after on our site, and get video up in the coming days.

    In the meantime, we thought we'd share an interactive map which samples some of the questions.

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  • Previewing Ghana

    Posted by Jesse Lee on July 8, 2009 at 12:35 PM EST

    On Saturday the President gives a major speech in Ghana, setting the tone for his policy towards Africa over the coming years. Last week the President previewed the vision he will lay out in an interview with AllAfrica.com. The President made clear that he is a student of African history, that he is well aware of the legacy of colonialism and the lingering impacts it had, but at the same time called himself "a big believer that Africans are responsible for Africa." Asked why Ghana was chosen as a location, he cited the successful transfer of power after even a close election to President Mills, who he said "has shown himself committed to the rule of law, to the kinds of democratic commitments that ensure stability in a country." Asked if would "like to see a lot more Ghanas in Africa," he replied "Absolutely."  Watch Part I below, or Part II here.

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    [Read the transcript.]

    As with the President’s speech in Cairo, the White House will be doing everything it can to make the President’s message as accessible as possible to the people of the region. We have a media resources page that will be updated as the President’s trip continues and has all of the details available now, but there is an extensive text message program for those living in Africa, as well as a Facebook event page and a Twitter hashtag:  #obamaghana. Tangentially, the President was asked about how aid, investment, and technology intersect in Africa during the interview:
    Q    Development assistance will presumably be an important piece of your Africa policy.  Now, development assistance is pretty fragmented whether you look at the United States or you look at it globally in the sense of varying countries have varying approaches.  And now you, more than any President, are associated with using technological tools, and I can't help but wonder if you have in mind or have thought about using technology to bring some coherence, if you will, like tracking how aid works or goes and where it goes, et cetera.
    THE PRESIDENT:  Look, I think you make a very important point and that is that even just within the U.S. government, our aid policies have been splintered among a variety of agencies, different theories embraced by different people depending on which administration, which party is in power at any given time.  Trying to create something steady and focused on -- and always basing our policies on what works and not on some ideological previous position is going to be very important.
    And technology can play a very important role in streamlining our aid to countries, making sure that we're tracking how that aid is being applied, making sure that it's reaching the people it's intended to reach.  One of the concerns that I have with our aid policy generally is that western consultants and administrative costs end up gobbling huge percentages of our aid overall.  And it seems to me that what we should be doing is trying to minimize our footprint and maximize the degree to which we're training people to do for themselves.  So I think using the Internet, using software, using modern technology, to improve delivery systems is important.
    Now, I also think on the ground in many of these countries, how we think about not high-tech stuff but low-tech technologies to, for example, improve food production is vitally important.  And I'm still frustrated over the fact that the green revolution that we introduced into India in the '60s, we haven't yet introduced into Africa in 2009.  In some countries, you've got declining agricultural productivity.  That makes absolutely no sense.  And we don't need fancy computers to solve those problems; we need tried and true agricultural methods and technologies that are cheap and are efficient, but could have a huge impact in terms of people's day-to-day well-being.
    The President gives an interview to AllAfrica.com
    (President Barack Obama gives an interview to AllAfrica.com in advance of a major speech in Ghana on Thursday, July 2, 2009.  Official White House Photo, Pete Souza)

     

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  • A Hopeful Reset

    Posted by Jesse Lee on July 7, 2009 at 9:54 AM EST

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    Yesterday the Presidents of two countries once consumed by the Cold War came together to begin putting what President Obama calls a "reset" of relations into concrete action. They hammered out agreements on a range of issues, perhaps most notably taking the first steps towards decreasing the threat of nuclear weapons to the human race. Today the President spoke at the graduation of the New Economic School and laid out his broad vision for a new relationship.
    He spoke of Russia’s history and heritage:
    I know that NES is a young school, but I speak to you today with deep respect for Russia's timeless heritage. Russian writers have helped us understand the complexity of the human experience, and recognize eternal truths. Russian painters, composers, and dancers have introduced us to new forms of beauty. Russian scientists have cured disease, sought new frontiers of progress, and helped us go to space.

    These are contributions that are not contained by Russia's borders, as vast as those borders are. Indeed, Russia's heritage has touched every corner of the world, and speaks to the humanity that we share. That includes my own country, which has been blessed with Russian immigrants for decades; we've been enriched by Russian culture, and enhanced by Russian cooperation. And as a resident of Washington, D.C., I continue to benefit from the contributions of Russians -- specifically, from Alexander Ovechkin. We're very pleased to have him in Washington, D.C. (Applause.)

    He spoke of the obvious benefits of cooperation, and the obstacles that still manage to obstruct it:
    Yet unfortunately, there is sometimes a sense that old assumptions must prevail, old ways of thinking; a conception of power that is rooted in the past rather than in the future. There is the 20th century view that the United States and Russia are destined to be antagonists, and that a strong Russia or a strong America can only assert themselves in opposition to one another. And there is a 19th century view that we are destined to vie for spheres of influence, and that great powers must forge competing blocs to balance one another.

    These assumptions are wrong. In 2009, a great power does not show strength by dominating or demonizing other countries. The days when empires could treat sovereign states as pieces on a chess board are over. As I said in Cairo, given our independence, any world order that -- given our interdependence, any world order that tries to elevate one nation or one group of people over another will inevitably fail. The pursuit of power is no longer a zero-sum game -- progress must be shared.

    That's why I have called for a "reset" in relations between the United States and Russia. This must be more than a fresh start between the Kremlin and the White House -- though that is important and I've had excellent discussions with both your President and your Prime Minister. It must be a sustained effort among the American and Russian people to identify mutual interests, and expand dialogue and cooperation that can pave the way to progress.


    (President Barack Obama is seen at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, July 6, 2009. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
     
    And he spoke on that central issue of his visit, nuclear non-proliferation:

    This is the core of the nuclear challenge in the 21st century. The notion that prestige comes from holding these weapons, or that we can protect ourselves by picking and choosing which nations can have these weapons, is an illusion. In the short period since the end of the Cold War, we've already seen India, Pakistan, and North Korea conduct nuclear tests. Without a fundamental change, do any of us truly believe that the next two decades will not bring about the further spread of these nuclear weapons?

    That's why America is committed to stopping nuclear proliferation, and ultimately seeking a world without nuclear weapons. That is consistent with our commitment under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That is our responsibility as the world's two leading nuclear powers. And while I know this goal won't be met soon, pursuing it provides the legal and moral foundation to prevent the proliferation and eventual use of nuclear weapons.

    We're already taking important steps to build this foundation. Yesterday, President Medvedev and I made progress on negotiating a new treaty that will substantially reduce our warheads and delivery systems. We renewed our commitment to clean, safe and peaceful nuclear energy, which must be a right for all nations that live up to their responsibilities under the NPT. And we agreed to increase cooperation on nuclear security, which is essential to achieving the goal of securing all vulnerable nuclear material within four years.
     
     
    (President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his wife Svetlana Medvedeva at their dacha outside Moscow,  July 6, 2009. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

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  • In Russia, Defining the Reset

    Posted by Jesse Lee on July 6, 2009 at 1:07 PM EST

    The President went to Russia as the first stop in his trip this week, continuing to work towards a "reset" of relations towards a more constructive path. This morning he joined President Dmitry A. Medvedev for a joint press conference, and summed up the meeting they had just held:
    We've just concluded a very productive meeting. As President Medvedev just indicated, the President and I agreed that the relationship between Russia and the United States has suffered from a sense of drift. We resolved to reset U.S.-Russian relations, so that we can cooperate more effectively in areas of common interest. Today, after less than six months of collaboration, we've done exactly that by taking concrete steps forward on a range of issues, while paving the way for more progress in the future. And I think it's particularly notable that we've addressed the top priorities -- these are not second-tier issues, they are fundamental to the security and the prosperity of both countries.
    The President wasted no time, forging a strengthened consensus on Afghanistan, creating a new strategic framework for military-to-military engagement between the United States and the Russian Federation, a recommitment to cooperation on reducing nuclear proliferation and in particular on a new, comprehensive, legally binding agreement on reducing and limiting strategic offensive arms to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), which expires on December 5, 2009. In addition the two Presidents agreed to create a Bilateral Presidential Commission, which they will chair and which will be coordinated by Secretary of State Clinton and Foreign Minister Lavrov, with working groups on issues ranging from agriculture to energy to space cooperation and cultural exchanges.
    President Obama and President Medvedev sign agreements
    (President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sign documents on nuclear arms reduction before their news conference at the Kremlin in Moscow Monday, July 6, 2009. Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
    In an interview with the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta before the meeting, the President was asked to flesh out what this reset would mean:
    Question: "Restarting" the relationship implies cooperating with Russia in those areas where it is possible. Does this mean weaker attention to Russia’s observation of civil rights and liberties, and to persecution against and murders of journalists? Specifically, to [the need to] apprehend and punish those who ordered and committed the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya?

    PRESIDENT OBAMA: Of course not. I seek to reset relations with Russia because I believe that Americans and Russians have many common interests, interests that our governments recently have not pursued as actively as we could have. For instance, I believe that Americans and Russians both would benefit from fewer nuclear weapons in the world, greater control over nuclear materials around the world, a defeat of extremist elements in Afghanistan and Pakistan, an Iran that produces nuclear energy but not nuclear weapons, and a North Korea that refrains from launching missiles and exploding nuclear weapons and instead returns to the negotiating table. I also believe that Americans and Russians have a common interest in the development of rule of rule, the strengthening of democracy, and the protection of human rights. As I said in my inaugural address: "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist." I then emphasized in my Cairo speech that "I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things:  the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose.  These are not just American ideas; they are human rights." These are ideas embraced by your president and your people. I agree with President Medvedev when he said that "Freedom is better than the absence of freedom." So, I see no reason why we cannot aspire together to strengthen democracy, human rights, and the rule of law as part of our "reset."

     
    A view of Red Square 
    (A view of Red Square from the Kempinski Hotel, July 5, 2009. President Barack Obama arrives in Moscow on July 6th, his first visit to Russia since taking office. Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
     
    President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, along with their daughters Malia and Sasha, are greeted by President Medvedev and Mrs. Medvedev
    (President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, along with their daughters Malia and Sasha, are greeted by President Medvedev and Mrs. Medvedev at the Kremlin in Moscow Monday, July 6, 2009. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
     
    President Barack Obama meets with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in the Kremlin
    (President Barack Obama meets with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in the Kremlin in Moscow, Monday, July 6, 2009.  Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.)
     

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  • The Vice President in Iraq: Photo Essay

    Posted by Jesse Lee on July 4, 2009 at 2:23 PM EST

    Vice President Biden spent his Fourth of July in Iraq presiding over a naturalization ceremony for U.S. service members in one of Saddam Hussein's old palaces.  It's fair to say he enjoyed the symbolism.
    Vice President Joe Biden meets enters a press conference with Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki
    (Vice President Joe Biden enters a press conference with Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 3, 2009.  Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
     
    Vice President Joe Biden greets embassy staff and does individual photos with them
    (Vice President Joe Biden greets embassy staff and takes individual photos with them at the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 3, 2009.  Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
     
    U.S. Soldiers take the citizenship oath inside Al Faw palace at Camp Victory outside Baghdad, Iraq
    (U.S. Troops take the citizenship oath inside Al Faw palace at Camp Victory outside Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, July 4, 2009. Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
     
    Vice President Joe Biden addresses newly sworn in U.S. citizens who serve in all 5 branches of the U.S. military
    (Vice President Joe Biden addresses newly sworn in U.S. citizens who serve in all 5 branches of the U.S. military, inside Al Faw palace at Camp Victory, outside Baghdad, Iraq, on Saturday, July 4, 2009.  Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
     
    Vice President Biden in the dining hall
    (Vice President Joe Biden works his way through the dining hall greeting multinational troops during lunch at Camp Victory, outside Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, July 4, 2009.  Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

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