Senate Foreign Relations Chair John Kerry (D-Mass.) on Friday morning applauded President Obama's video address to Iran.
"President Obama's eloquent address to the people and leaders of Iran commemorating Nowruz can be a watershed moment in public diplomacy, with a unique president using the powers of persuasion to great effect," Kerry said in a statement.
Kerry also said that governing regime in Iran "faces rising discontent from its own people" and that they now have a choice. "They can continue down the path of intransigence and face increasing regional isolation, escalating international sanctions, continuing economic stagnation and the threat of a regional confrontation," the Democrat said, "or they can start down a path of real change for both Iran and the entire Middle East."
Kerry said ending Iran's nuclear program is "front and center" for the Obama administration and that through careful negotiations he believes that goal is attainable.
Read more...
In a video late Thursday night, President Obama spoke to Iran on their new year.
Obama addressed the difficult relationship the U.S. has had with Iran. "For nearly three decades, relations between our nations have been strained, but at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together," he said.
He also said that his administration seeks to change course, and restore diplomatic ties with the nation.
"I would like to speak clearly to Iran's leaders," he said. "We have serious differences that have grown over time. Our administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us and to pursuing constructed ties between the United State, Iran and the international community."
A strong majority of Americans back President Obama's plan to withdrawal troops in Iraq, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research poll.
Seven out of ten respondents supported Obama's plan to remove most troops from Iraq by August and keep 35,000 to 50,000 troops in the country as a residual force.
"Obama's troop withdrawal plan is one of the few proposals from the new president that wins support from Democrats and Republicans," CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said. "58 percent of Republicans approve of Obama's plan, with 84 percent of Democrats feeling the same way."
Nearly two-thirds of respondents also said they approve of how Obama is handling the war.
There was a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points in the poll.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) believes Russia would be willing to work with the United States on persuading Iran to stop developing nuclear weapons.
Hagel, a former member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, appeared on MSNBC on Tuesday to discuss the U.S.
Read more...
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair John Kerry (D-Mass.) announced Wednesday that his panel will hold a hearing on Thursday to discuss U.S. relations with Iran.
The third part of a series on U.S. relations with the country, the hearing will be titled "U.S. Strategy Regarding Iran." Former National Security Advisors Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent Scowcroft will testify at the hearing.
The hearing will focus on how the United States should engage Iran. Earlier this week, the committee held a hearing on Iran's nuclear program and regional diplomacy.
You may remember the brouhaha in the British press after President Obama turned down the U.K.'s offer to keep a bust of Winston Churchill in the Oval Office. The evicted Winston was a gift/loan from our partners across the pond after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
But, alas, Prime Minister Gordon Brown comes this week bearing another token of friendship to replace Winston -- the prime minister who said, "If Hitler invaded hell I would make at least a favorable reference to the devil in the House of Commons" -- with a pen holder. Yep, a pen holder.
While everyone appears to be talking about how House Speaker's tepid endorsement and even criticism of President Obama's plan to leave 35,000 to 50,000 troop in Iraq after the combat mission is completed, no one seems to be stating the obvious: It benefits both of them politically.
For Obama, by breaking with Pelosi he doesn't appear beholden to a "San Francisco liberal," as the right calls her. It makes him look like he is governing from the middle and, more importantly, relying on military commanders on the ground to form his decisions, not a liberal orthodoxy. Plus, look at Obama's polling numbers, does he really need to worry about losing the support of Democrats right now? We think not.
For Pelosi, this boosts her anti-war bona fides. Pelosi has drawn criticism in her district and from the left for a perception that she has ruled over the House from the middle. Anyone remember Cindy Sheehan and her primary challenge of Pelosi?
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations, backed President Obama's plan to draw down troops in Iraq shortly after his speech today.
Most Viewed RSS Feed »
