U.S. Foreign Policy Newsletter

Clinton Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to Muslim Communities (2009-11-03).  In a speech to the sixth Forum for the Future, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to broad engagement with Muslim communities around the world and the equally strong U.S. commitment to comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

“Our work is based on empowering individuals rather than promoting ideologies; listening and embracing others’ ideas rather than simply imposing our own; and pursuing partnerships that are sustainable and broad-based,” Clinton said November 3. “We believe that despite our differences, there is so much more that unites us.” [...]

Clinton, in a speech that was billed as an expansion of President Obama’s June 4 speech in Cairo, outlined three initiatives the United States is launching to expand engagement with Muslim communities around the world. The first of the three initiatives is partnering with Muslim communities to advance entrepreneurship, job creation and economic development.

Clinton’s Interview with Michel Ghandour of Al Hurra Television.  Secretary discusses a two-state solution, Iran, Lebanon and Syria (2009-11-04).  QUESTION: In the Arab world, they are saying that the U.S. Administration started by criticizing Israel and asking it to – for a settlement freeze, and ended by praising Prime Minister Netanyahu after he denied the American calls. What can you answer?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first of all, I think President Obama has demonstrated his commitment and sincerity in pursuing a comprehensive peace that includes a two-state solution.

Secondly, both I and Senator Mitchell, our special envoy, have worked constantly since President Obama became our president to reach out not only to the Israelis and the Palestinians, but to the larger region and the world, about everyone working toward this goal.

Thirdly, I believe it’s important to recognize the positive steps that either side takes. That’s why I have been very strongly in favor of what the Palestinians have done on security. And I have done that publicly and privately, not only with them, of course, but with the Israelis and the Arab nations. Because when people do things which advance the cause of a two-state solution, they should be recognized.  [...]  See also: our dossier on Middle East Peace


Remarks by President Obama at Tribal Nations Conference.  Obama answers questions on U.S. treatment of tribal nations (2009-11-05).  It’s now been a year since the American people went to the polls and gave me this extraordinary privilege and responsibility. And part of what accounts for the hope people felt on that day, I think, was a sense that we had an opportunity to change the way Washington worked; a chance to make our federal government the servant not of special interests, but of the American people. It was a sense that we had an opportunity to bring about meaningful change for those who had for too long been excluded from the American Dream.

And few have been more marginalized and ignored by Washington for as long as Native Americans -- our First Americans.

We know the history that we share. It’s a history marked by violence and disease and deprivation. Treaties were violated. Promises were broken. You were told your lands, your religion, your cultures, your languages were not yours to keep. And that’s a history that we’ve got to acknowledge if we are to move forward.

U.S. Diplomat Urges Congress to Approve Clean Energy Bill (2009-11-04). A major international climate conference that begins December 7 in Copenhagen presents an opportunity for the United States and the world to show a firm commitment to meeting the challenge that climate change presents, a senior U.S. diplomat says.

“The choice we face is not between simply continuing with business as usual and a somewhat cleaner, greener future,” Todd Stern, the State Department’s special envoy for climate change, said in prepared congressional testimony November 4. “If we continue on our high carbon and high emissions pathway, we will put at risk our economy, the health and safety of our environment, and our national security.”  See also: our dossier on Climate Change & Clean Energy

  Remarks by President Obama, Barroso, Solana and PM Reinfeldt
Leaders discuss Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Middle East and climate change  (2009-11-03).  Our discussions today built on my April meeting with all 27 EU leaders in Prague. We discussed our shared commitment to success in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where EU civilian assistance has played an absolutely critical role.

We discussed climate change extensively, and all of us agreed that it was imperative for us to redouble our efforts in the weeks between now and the Copenhagen meeting to assure that we create a framework for progress in dealing with what is a potential ecologic disaster.

We discussed the situation in Iran and emphasized how important it is for the United States and the European Union to coordinate carefully and closely in sending a clear message to Tehran that we want them to be a full member of the community of nations, but that they have to act consistent with international rules and responsibilities with respect to their nuclear program.

We reaffirmed our commitment to strong, sustained economic growth that was articulated by the G20 in Pittsburgh, and reaffirmed our intent to continue to expand trade and resist protectionist measures between the United States and the European Union.

And we spoke about how we can actually coordinate more effectively in preventing terrorism from spreading between our various countries. We also had a discussion about the Middle East and how we can work together closely on that front.