When President-elect Barack Obama steps into the oval office in January, the economy may be his first priority but pressing problems on the international stage are likely to be equally daunting.
In Iraq, it appears that our troops will be essentially moved out of the urban areas by mid-year, but the timing of the total withdrawal and the completion of a security agreement between Iraq and the U.S. are still being worked out. Whether this will be accomplished in an orderly manner will depend, primarily, on Obama's diplomatic skills and the success of the two upcoming elections.
The provincial elections are scheduled for January and the national elections will be held late in the year. The question that has no answer today is whether these events will bring Iraq's religious and ethnic groups together, or push them further apart. The friction between the competing Shiite factions alone could be a major factor in the challenge that will face the new U.S. president.
In Afghanistan, Obama has said that he wants to defeat the Taliban and finish the job. However, it appears more likely, at this point, that an alternative solution may be the answer. Our NATO partners are unlikely to be willing to contribute more troops to the effort and the Taliban has been growing in strength and influence. Here again, Obama's diplomatic skills may end up being the test of whether we can succeed in bringing a successful conclusion to this campaign.
These same skills may also determine whether Iran will be prevented from becoming a member of the nuclear club. Obama has said he will not accept such an eventuality and the key to his success in this respect may turn out to be his ability to rally a strong international coalition to discourage Iran from pursuing its program.
And then there is the war with no battlefields, the faceless war against Islamic extremism. Both Clinton and Bush were greeted with domestic terrorist attacks soon after entering the White House. Some analysts believe that Obama may be similarly tested, perhaps by an attack on American interests abroad. His ability to effectively handle such a situation, if it should arise, may determine the future course of our war on terrorism.
Meanwhile, this week the Department of Defense released the obituaries of two military personnel who died in Iraq, ages 24 and 27. Both deaths were classified as being caused by non-combat-related injuries.
According to the web site www.icasualties.org, U.S. deaths in Iraq now stand at 4,193, including three whose families are being notified today.
The Department of Defense also released the obituary of one 27-year-old soldier killed in Afghanistan.
Total U.S. deaths in Afghanistan were 556 as of November 6, according to the Pentagon.
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Comments: 36
can, and then let's hope for the best and be ready to confront the
worst EFFECTIVELY as Americans
Thanks for the link. I saw it once before on my congressperson's site, but never returned to look for, and retrieve it. I want to keep informed about Iraq, and the casualties.
What a mess.
While in Nevada, I had to pass by a street named "Cheney". It gave me chills, but not just me. Other volunteers mentioned that street, and how depressing it would be to live on a street named, "Cheney", almost like living on a street named "Hitler".
Obama has a quality that will stand him in very good stead as he faces the daunting challenges ahead. He is, as the French say, "comfortable in his skin." He's secure, emotionally and intellectually, and that enables him to listen, learn, and make the best decisions he can based on facts and arguments from both sides of a given question. He's no ideologue. So, amen to Sandy. We need a successful President.
I am sure that the President Elect will face some of the same hate and mindless opposition from the right that were directed at President Bush from the left, but I have seen what hate can do to our country, our troops, and our government. I want no part of it.
I call on my friends on the right to support President Obama, and I call on those on the left to realize that the election is over. Witch hunts and the blame game will just invite retribution, and make the President's job even harder.
He's got enough hurdles to jump in the next four years without us putting more in his path.
First the US has stated that we are at war with al Qaeda where ever they are in this world of ours. I feel that Barack Obama will continue with that approach. If al Qaeda is in Syria then there we are, if in Pakistan then there we are, if in Indonesia then there we are, if in Venezuela then there we are. In other words the US is at war now with al Qaeda wherever they are.
In Iraq we in the US have given our word that we will be there as long as they need the US. If we are needed to help in reorganizing the Iraq countryside we will be there to help. We have made a commitment with Iraq and Obama will continue the support in almost any way that the Iraqi need, as long as that commitment is necessary in the eyes of the Iraqi’s and the US.
I will support his efforts, if they are based on principles of freedom and do not continue the empire building in the Mideast.
He WILL attach Iran - he's already planning - his justification? "they MAY be building a nuclear bomb". key word - MAY...
He will also support the New World Order, as evidenced by his speeches, his submission of the LOST bill (eliminate hunger around the world by taxing profits of corporations - BILLIONS!)
Here's a copy of my letter to the editor - check out the facts yourself, please:
NEW TAX, NO GUNS, thanks to O’Bama
More Power to the United Nations
Leaders of the U. S. Senate signaled that they are intent on giving more power to the United Nations, including the power to impose taxes, paving the way for ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST). Wednesday, February 13, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed by voice vote the Global Poverty Act (S. 2433), sponsored by Senator Barack Obama (D-IL).
This feel good legislation commits the U.S. to spending 0.7 percent of gross national product (GNP) on foreign aid, which amounts to a phenomenal 13-year total of $845 billion over and above what the U.S. already spends.
In addition to seeking to eradicate poverty, that declaration commits nations to banning "small arms and light weapons" and ratifying a series of treaties, including the International Criminal Court Treaty, the Kyoto Protocol (global warming treaty), the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The U.S. should have nothing to do with these awful treaties or the UN Law of the Sea Treaty. One of the worst aspects of LOST is the mechanism for imposing a global tax by requiring companies to pay a portion of their profits to the International Seabed Authority.
I don't mean to trivialize anybody's death, but it just seems that you guys get some perverse pleasure out of reporting on it.
Obama has painted himself into a corner already like Bush did in laying down the law regarding a no nuclear armed Iran. The real options are limited. He will have to back down, continue down the frustrating road Bush has done, or take military action. Its not a situation any sane leader would want to have to deal with.
As for Iraq, the new SOFA formalizes a withdrawal AND continued troop presence seem laid down and in accordance with Iraqi wishes. Obama can let that work itself out without getting into any sort of debate on his part. If he wishes to speed the pullout up, then he will have to take any blame for problems. If their are problems under the current US/Iraqi plan, he can always point to the current administration for the fault and then take his own action.
Added to current US economic woes and promises to spend/regulate in order to 'fix' things, Obama will need the wisdom of Solomon and some serious luck to navigate to please even half of his supporters. While not someone who voted for him, I'm hoping things do work out for his administration simply because the alternatives of failure are worse than what we are experiencing even now.
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