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sheshe2

(87,490 posts)
Wed Nov 27, 2013, 10:15 PM Nov 2013

Obama Signals a Shift From Military Might to Diplomacy



WASHINGTON — The weekend ended with the first tangible sign of a nuclear deal with Iran, after more than three decades of hostility. Then on Monday came the announcement that a conference will convene in January to try to broker an end to the civil war in Syria.

The success of either negotiation, both long sought by President Obama, is hardly assured — in fact the odds may be against them. But the two nearly simultaneous developments were vivid statements that diplomacy, the venerable but often-unsatisfying art of compromise, has once again become the centerpiece of American foreign policy.

Snip

“We’re testing diplomacy; we’re not resorting immediately to military conflict,” Mr. Obama said, defending the Iran deal on Monday in San Francisco. “Tough talk and bluster may be the easy thing to do politically,” he said earlier that day, “but it’s not the right thing for our security.”

Snip

White House officials suggest that the president always planned to arrive at this moment, and that everything that came before it — from the troop surge in Afghanistan to the commando raid that killed Osama bin Laden — was cleaning up after his predecessor.

“In 2009, we had 180,000 troops in two wars and a ton of legacy issues surrounding terrorism,” said Benjamin J. Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser. “So much that was done out of the box was winding down those wars. We’ve shifted from a very military face on our foreign policy to a very diplomatic face on our foreign policy.”


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/26/world/middleeast/longer-term-deal-with-iran.html?hp&_r=1&
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Obama Signals a Shift From Military Might to Diplomacy (Original Post) sheshe2 Nov 2013 OP
This makes me happy! Kath1 Nov 2013 #1
We could see even in the primary battle for the Dem nominee that.. Cha Nov 2013 #2
The quote you highlighted, perfect... sheshe2 Nov 2013 #4
Had your "doubts", huh? Cha Nov 2013 #7
What you folks said. IrishAyes Nov 2013 #3
This country is ready for it, too treestar Nov 2013 #5
A Happy Thanksgiving to us all, Obama is our President. sheshe2 Nov 2013 #6

Kath1

(4,309 posts)
1. This makes me happy!
Thu Nov 28, 2013, 12:30 AM
Nov 2013

I cast my vote for Obama in '08 for peace. I am so glad he has had the courage to use diplomacy and negotiation rather than macho bluster and war. What a refreshing change after the Bush administration!

Cha

(305,406 posts)
2. We could see even in the primary battle for the Dem nominee that..
Thu Nov 28, 2013, 02:27 AM
Nov 2013

diplomacy is PBO's style, she. And, then on to his Inaugural Address in 2009.. his famous quote about extending a hand..

"In his inaugural address President Obama reached out to the Muslim World by saying that he seeks "a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect." He also said he would be willing to "extend a hand" to those "who cling to power through corruption and deceit" if they "are willing to unclench" their fists. Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab cable TV network, Al Arabiya. On 19 March 2009, Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world, releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran. This attempt at outreach was rebuffed by the Iranian leadership. President Obama's first trip to a Muslim majority country occurred on 6–7 April 2009 when he visited Turkey and spoke to the Grand National Assembly. The speech was well received by many Arab governments."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_New_Beginning

I'm very thankful how all this is playing out since the then Senator Obama came on the scene.

The Nobel Peace Prize Committee knew what they were doing. And, President Obama knew what he was doing when he chose John Kerry to be his SOS this year PEACE

Mahalo for the NYT's piece, she~



sheshe2

(87,490 posts)
4. The quote you highlighted, perfect...
Thu Nov 28, 2013, 09:24 PM
Nov 2013

Thanks sweets, I am behind in my answers...Thanksgiving was #1 and it was awesome. Right down to the vegan stuffing. I had my doubts, yet it was wonderful~

Cha~

Cha

(305,406 posts)
7. Had your "doubts", huh?
Thu Nov 28, 2013, 11:37 PM
Nov 2013

Last edited Fri Nov 29, 2013, 05:47 AM - Edit history (1)

It can taste great and be vegan, too!

I'm a little behind too.. Tim had to work to get finished with this job by Monday so he could start on the next one he's committed to. But, my friend Linda came over from the other side of the Island after she had her festivities and we went for a walk with my camera. She showed me a lot of things I didn't know and now we're working on getting them transfered.. that may take awhile.

Going to fix supper for her and she may even stay the night.

she

treestar

(82,383 posts)
5. This country is ready for it, too
Thu Nov 28, 2013, 10:55 PM
Nov 2013

I don't think a "bring 'em on" type would ever win in the foreseeable future.

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