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Entries in Diplomacy (10)

Friday
Jun062008

Ex-military men think it’s best to hold hands with China

Today a group of retired military officials met to discuss their experiences, activities, and interactions with Chinese military leaders. Known as the “Sanya Initiative”, the intention of visiting China was to foster better communication and understanding between the United States and China without necessarily promoting a political agenda.

Only three members of the group were present at the briefing: Gen. Ronald R. Fogelman, Adm. William A. Owens, and Gen. John M. Keane. Gen. Fogelman, former chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, explained that the idea behind Sanya was to have an open dialogue with China because it will be the single most important international relationship the U.S. will have in the 21st century.
The retirees were struck by the commonalities they found among their Chinese military counterparts. Adm. William A. Owens, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recalled “open, friendly” conversations with other military professionals that had also travelled the world, fought for a cause, and trained for most of their lives. Adm. Owens said that although the other men came from different cultures, they had a bond because of their experiences in the military.

Another lesson the group took home with them is that miscalculation results from no dialogue. For instance, Gen. John M. Keane, former vice chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, found that although the men had great respect for the U.S., they were ignorant about how earth devastating 9/11 was to Americans. The group was surprised to find that the Chinese leaders did not consider China a “superpower”, Gen. Fogelman said.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is deeply respected in China, but the PLA is not as mobile and efficient as the U.S. military, Gen. Fogelman said. The group stressed the importance of understanding what is important to China so that the U.S. does not make poor policy decisions. Gen. Fogelman suggested that the U.S. pay closer attention to events happening in Taiwan.

Thursday
Jun052008

Iran is a malevolent, but manageable, threat

The House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia met to discuss “Iran’s Strategic Aspirations and the Future of the Middle East.” Gary Ackerman (D-NY), said that Iran’s threat to America has gone ignored for years. He said that now Iran’s expanded realm means a real threat to the U.S., but that the security risks are manageable.

Congressman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) said that Iran is the most malevolent and dangerous threat to U.S. interest. As for diplomatic tactics, Pence hoped that the next President would not use direct negotiation because it is ineffective. All of the witnesses emphasized Iran’s desire to become the preeminent power in Middle East. Judith Yaphe said that Iran wants the U.S. to recognize its legitimacy and its right to be the great power in the area. Because of Iran’s expanded realm of power and threat, the issues of Iraq and Iran are not isolated. Therefore, consideration must be given to Iran’s response to any changes made in Iraq, as Yaphe said.

In addressing the question of how to end Iran’s nuclear threat, Yaphe said that there is little to lose in negotiations, but Jon Alterman emphasized that the U.S. must not approach talks with the objective of changing the Iranian government. Experts and congressmen have not agreed on a tactic with Iran. While Pence endorses stronger sanctions rather than direct negotiations, the experts contend that talks with Iran may be progressive as long as they are not too ambitious.

Tuesday
May202008

McCain and Bush are “joined at the hip”

Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke at the Center for American Progress Action Fund today and discussed presidential nominee John McCain’s remarks last week about Senator Obama and his statement to commence talks with Iran. Biden said that McCain’s foreign policy aims are undefined and will be following in President Bush’s footsteps.

Biden declared that Bush was “completely out of touch” with the government. The Bush Administrations foreign policy objectives have failed, Iran’s influence has expanded not diminished, Hamas runs amok in Iraq, over 4,000 American soldiers have lost their lives in the Iraq war and the Middle East is more dangerous now then it was seven years ago, Biden said.

McCain said last week that Obama is naive for seeking out peace talks with Iran, but Biden thinks that Obama understands the United State’s sophisticated relationship with Iran. The allies and partners of the United States need to know that the new administration in January will go the extra diplomatic mile to talk with Iran and use diplomatic means to work things out instead of using military force.

Biden said that McCain has no plan to remove the United States from Iraq other then the Bush plan, which is to stay. Biden maintains that there is no difference between McCain and Bush, and that they are “joined at the hip.” Obama offers new plans and ideas for United States foreign policy, which shouldn’t be slighted by Bush and McCain, but looked forward to as a way to improve America’s standing in the world in the future, and bring American troops home.
Friday
Feb292008

The United States Institute of Peace Holds Panel Discussion Entitled “Resurrecting the Wall of Fear: The Human Rights Situation in Syria.” 

The United States Institute of Peace held a panel discussion today entitled “Resurrecting the Wall of Fear: The Human Rights Situation in Syria.”

The last 3 months have seen a crackdown by the Syrian government targeting public intellectuals, civil society activists. It all began with a December meeting of the National Council of the Damascus Declaration, after which a wave of arrests saw a drastic limitation of civil liberties. Thirteen of the leaders of that coalition remain in prison and have been accused of subversion of Syrian security, among other charges. The U.S. has withdrawn its ambassador from Syria.

Such actions by the Syrian regime come as somewhat of a surprise in light of the recent Annapolis summit and the Arab League summit to be hosted by Syria in March.

Joe Stork, deputy director of Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch, expressed confusion as to why precisely this crackdown has come at this time. He cited Syria’s refusal to admit Human Rights Watch investigators into the country despite its record of fair treatment for Iraqi refugees within its borders. He stated that U.S. diplomatic relations with Syria have been unfortunately ignoring the human rights issue.

Mona Yacoubian, special adviser at the Muslim World Initiative of USIP, called for increased U.S. attention to this issue and made several policy recommendations for doing so. In her opinion these actions by the Syrian regime stem from both feelings of confidence that they may act with impunity and of vulnerability and paranoia, a trait inherent in all autocratic regimes. She stated that, to date, efforts at sanctioning have met with little success, and recommended lower level relations rather than relying on presidential summit meetings. To make real progress, she said, either isolation policy must be greatly increased on a multilateral scale, or a strategy of engagement must be pursued.

Tuesday
Feb122008

Secretary of State Rice Addresses Georgetown University about U.S. Foreign Policy, Darfur, and Her Term as Secretary 


Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, today delivered a passionate address about her term as Secretary, global peace, and the United States' place in the world at Georgetown University. Rice discussed her feelings that America must remain active in not only fighting terrorism around the world, but also in helping developing countries grow economically.




Rice often referred to her use of "transformational diplomacy," to shape U.S. policy. As time has gone on and challenges facing America have become more complex, she explained how she and other leaders have needed to use different methods to solve global problems. Rice also discussed "American Realism," as she examined the limitations the government often faces in sending troops and aid around the world.


Rice said that while she and the President believe we have to continue to aid those struggling to survive in Sudan, ending the crisis is something our nation cannot do alone. Stressing the need to have unilateral support in fighting terrorism and championing human rights, Rice was enthusiastic and hopeful about the future of American foreign policy.

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