Albright Talks About New NATO Strategy

By Laura Smith, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Former Secretary of the State Madeleine Albright appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday, saying that she has recently participated in the first of four planned seminars as part of a broader process to collect a range of views about NATO's strategy and operations. She said the treaty-organization plans to provide their conclusions and recommendations to the Secretary General by next May.

She said that after consulting with member governments, the Secretary General will draft the strategic concept for consideration at the Lisbon Summit, and when it is approved, it will serve as a guide for the alliance in the coming decade.

“NATO was created in response to the Soviet threat, but not only in response to that threat. It was also designed to reign in the many national rivalries that had ripped Europe apart,” Albright said.

Is the U.S. Staying or Going in Afghanistan and Pakistan?

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen argued for patience when it comes to the United States’ relationship with Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Thursday. Mullen said he plans to set benchmarks for progress while in the two countries.

“I think we know what needs to be done. I think there are some significant challenges in the how to do this. You’ve got to have the security umbrella but the key is education long term. The key is village by village. The key is putting institutions which are not corrupt, developing capacity at every level...which provide for their people,” said Mullen.

In his opening statement Committee Chairman Senator John Kerry (D-MA) said the Obama administration has recognized the tough road ahead and set a goal of not allowing Afghanistan to become a “safe haven for al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups that seek to attack us” again.

Another talking point of the Committee hearing was the United States’ presence in Pakistan. Kerry and Senator Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) have set forth the Kerry-Lugar bill which would fix a Pakistan policy that they believe has “largely failed,” according to Kerry’s opening statement. The bill would triple non-military aid, authorizing it for five to ten years and change the fundamentals of the United States’ relationship with Pakistan. President Obama has called on Congress to pass this Kerry-Lugar bill as part of his overall strategy, said Kerry.

In the conclusion of Mullen’s written statement he said believes the State Department should be funded as the lead agent of U.S. diplomacy and development and that would still require the “backing of a robust military and strong economy.” He said the nation’s military activities should not lead the nation’s foreign policy but instead support it.

Mullen said, “As we win the wars we are fighting and restore the health of our Armed Forces, the military’s approach will increasingly support our diplomatic counterparts through the persistent engagement required to build networks of capable partners. By operating hand-in-hand with partners and integrated with the interagency and non-governmental organizations, we will more successfully protect the citizens of this Nation.”

Senator John F. Kerry speaks at Climate Change Hearing

Sen. John Kerry speaks at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Climate change and says that, “We need a transformation in public policy thinking to embrace the reality of what science is telling us.” We need to come to terms with the implications of the climate problems that we face because the consequences will be catastrophic if we don’t.(0:47)

by Suzia van Swol, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Climate Crisis: Al Gore says that the time for action is now.

“We need a transformation in public policy thinking to embrace the reality of what science is telling us, accept its implications, and then act in accordance with the full scope and urgency of the problem,” said senator John F. Kerry at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today. The committee met to hear testimony from Al Gore concerning what America should be doing to address the climate crisis.

Kerry said, “Some may argue that we cannot afford to address this issue in the midst of an economic crisis. They have it fundamentally wrong. This is a moment of enormous opportunity for new technology, new jobs, and the greening of our economy. We can’t afford not to act.” Senator Kerry stressed the importance of America taking a stance on caring for the environment with a new administration that will finally be supportive of these efforts.

Former Vice-President Al Gore said that “We have arrived at a moment of decision. Our home-Earth- is in grave danger. What is at risk of being destroyed is not the planet itself, of course, but the conditions that have made it hospitable for human beings.” Gore expressed concern that people seem to think that the planet and our way of life has to be a choice, when in fact, “solutions to the climate crisis are the very same solutions that will address our economic and national security crisis as well.”

by Suzia van Swol, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

“Lieberman- Warner Climate Security Act” breezing through Senate

Following a vote on the “Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act” in the Senate, a news conference with remarks by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.), Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) was held in advocacy of the bill and how it will help keep our environment clean. The senators speaking at the press conference expressed their satisfaction with the bipartisan support the bill has received from other members of the Senate.

Concerning the bill, Senator Kerry described the role the next President will play in “getting this done” to solve the problem of global warming. Kerry mentioned that our nation has to set an example to other world powers such as China and India about properly funding initiatives to keep the environment clean.

Boxer talked about how, because Americans are concerned about climate change, this bill will pass more quickly than the Clean Air Act that took roughly a decade to pass. In an emotional moment, she told the story of a “beautiful” letter she received from ailing Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) about his appreciation and support for the bill.

Lieberman comically mentioned that, due to the success the bill had in acquiring Senate support, this morning’s vote was “A small step for mankind, and a giant step for the U.S. Senate.” He said the bill would help move American history in a direction it needs to go toward, with Boxer adding that funding for fuel alternatives could also help make our country less dependent on foreign oil.