Mr. Obama's Updates & NATO Wrap-Up before Prague and Turkey

by Pythiian1 | April 4, 2009 at 11:01 am

328 views | 60 Recommendations | 5 comments

President Obama recorded aboard Air Force One his weekly radio and Internet address to discuss his visit to Europe with the American people.

He reminded Americans that the fates of all countries are entwined in economic and security matters as never before, which would require an actively engaged American presence in G20, NATO, and EU Summits.

It is obvious to most international affairs watchers is that the US President has been attempting to re-brand America at every stop and in every event, with his actions and words.

The following are some examples that come to mind: during the G20 Summit, President Obama stepped in to intervene the war of words between China and France. He had called on the foreign press more than customary, with a caveat that other foreign leaders would return the favor to American reporters. President Obama hosted a town hall style meeting in Strasbourg where he addressed Europeans about their incessant anti-Americanism while admitting to American mistakes on the international stage in years past.

In this new century, we live in a world that has grown smaller and more interconnected than at any time in history. Threats to our nation’s security and economy can no longer be kept at bay by oceans or by borders drawn on maps. The terrorists who struck our country on 9/11 plotted in Hamburg, trained in Kandahar and Karachi, and threaten countries across the globe.

The challenges of our time threaten the peace and prosperity of every single nation, and no one nation can meet them alone. That is why it is sometimes necessary for a President to travel abroad in order to protect and strengthen our nation here at home. That is what I have done this week.

President Obama held a press conference in Strasbourg-Kehl at the conclusion of the NATO 60th Anniversary Summit where he said that the effort in Afghanistan cannot be America's alone.

Mr. Obama said that the NATO Summit had given "strong and unanimous" support to the new U.S. Afghanistan strategy.

The U.S. President stressed that NATO needs to match real resources to defeat the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He had asked for an additional 5,000 troops to Afghanistan and European commitment to provide millions of dollars for a trust fund to support Afghanistan development.

Although the European members were wary to commit troops and funds that President Obama had asked from NATO, there were some key points that the members managed to agree on Afghanistan.

Summit Declaration on Afghanistan
North Atlantic Council in Strasbourg / Kehl on 4 April 2009

In Afghanistan we are helping build security for the Afghan people, protecting our citizens and defending the values of freedom, democracy and human rights. Our common security is closely tied to the stability and security of Afghanistan and the region: an area of the world from where extremists planned attacks against civilian populations and democratic governments and continue to plot today.

Through our UN-mandated mission, supported by our International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) partners, and working closely with the Afghan government, we remain committed for the long-run to supporting a democratic Afghanistan that does not become, once more, a base for terror attacks or a haven for violent extremism that destabilizes the region and threatens the entire International Community. For this reason Afghanistan remains the Alliance’s key priority.

President Obama is en route to Prague, Czech Republic where he will attend the U.S.-European Union Summit on Apr.5, Sunday.

Sources:

The White House Press Office

NATO

G20 London Summit

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Amy Judd

at 11:08 on April 4th, 2009

I'm glad he emphasized how all the countries are interlinked in the economic woes - I think it's important for any country to know that others are suffering as well.

Countries need to work together to get through this; glad to see America is taking that seriously.

Pythiian1

at 14:39 on April 4th, 2009

Thank you so much, Amy, for your recommendation and sharing your observations regarding the new American foreign policy approach.

I think some in the US will view this collaborative approach as a "weakening" of the US priorities, but if these critics will consider that at the end of the day, Mr. Obama is an American President and he will safeguard the nation's interests.

albertacowpoke

at 17:13 on April 4th, 2009

The G20 and NATO are hard nuts to crack. After the end of the Cold War NATO was looking for a raison d'etre. At first it was a combined effort in the Former Yugoslavia and now in Afghanistan. I doubt that the Europeans (Germans and French) will be interested in committing fighting troops to Afghanistan.

A global regulatory system for financial institutions seems warranted. Without fixing the financial institutions, fixing the economy will be difficult. Canada has been advocating this from the beginning, if not globally, at least within each countries borders. Our financial instutions have fared relatively well due to regulations. Our banks are still providing credit and are making quarterly profits. To this end I.m glad to see that Germany and France pushed for a regulatory system instead of more stimulus spending.

The world has grown much smaller in the last 50 years and we all must play our part to avoid protecionism and ensure that trade can flow freely. In North America we might need a rethink on some industries that cannot compete against offshore concerns, due to higher wages and health care costs. In some way this recession is forcing a restructure of the system we are accustomed to.

Pythiian1

at 18:49 on April 4th, 2009

Thank you so much, Albertacowpoke, for your read and comments.

I think to some extent, all nations practice some form of protectionism, and understandably so. There are some countries in the G20 that are more protectionist than most, without naming names.

In another piece, I had mentioned France's reluctance to commit any troops anywhere outside of its own interests in Africa at this point. Sarkozy is already unpopular and his recent mini-dramas at the G20 didn't make him anymore popular.

Roy C

at 08:31 on April 5th, 2009

Collaboration doesn't just produce positive results. Much of international trade is not useful. Having boundaries would protect nations from each others' economic and cultural infections.

For example, Iran's ban on US films actually is responsible for helping create one of the better film industries outside of Hollywood.

France mandates that 80% of music on French radio be from France. Good idea.

We also send products to Europe while they send us some of the same products back.

There is no way we can continue with this massive trade deficit with China. So, "collaboration" from China would mean allowing their currency to float freely, increasing its values and allowing us to sell China a lot more stuff and having an actual "free trade" agreement instead of one allowing China to rob the US, Mexico and others of their local industries.

Words are Obama's strength. Policies and actions taken do not yet appear to be his strength at all.

mrs sanjana agarwal (not verified)

at 10:19 on April 21st, 2009

what president obama is saying about afganistan is definetly correct.but at the same time i guess we got to be in talks with pakistan also because of their sleeping non active govt india also faced threats .i wish sometime we can have a good leader like obama in our country india.there is so much of poverty here .and no body cares.