I just read the commencement speech Obama gave at West Point today. The full text of that speech can be found here and for those of you who can still listen to Obama, the video can be found here.
For the most part the speech is typical stuff you would expect any president to give to a graduating class at West Point. As a liberal, Obama obviously tosses in references to liberal ideals such as diversity, women in the military and even a few references to clean energy. The real meat of the speech are the references Obama makes that hints at the new National Security strategy that he will unveil next week.
The burdens of this century cannot fall on our soldiers alone. It also cannot fall on American shoulders alone. Our adversaries would like to see America sap its strength by overextending our power. And in the past, we've always had the foresight to avoid acting alone. We were part of the most powerful wartime coalition in human history through World War II. We stitched together a community of free nations and institutions to endure and ultimately prevail during a Cold War.
Yes, we are clear-eyed about the shortfalls of our international system. But America has not succeeded by stepping out of the currents of cooperation - we have succeeded by steering those currents in the direction of liberty and justice, so nations thrive by meeting their responsibilities and face consequences when they don't.
So we have to shape an international order that can meet the challenges of our generation. We will be steadfast in strengthening those old alliances that have served us so well, including those who will serve by your side in Afghanistan and around the globe. As influence extends to more countries and capitals, we also have to build new partnerships, and shape stronger international standards and institutions.
This engagement is not an end in itself. The international order we seek is one that can resolve the challenges of our times -- countering violent extremism and insurgency; stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and securing nuclear materials; combating a changing climate and sustaining global growth; helping countries feed themselves and care for their sick; preventing conflict and healing wounds. If we are successful in these tasks, that will lessen conflicts around the world. It will be supportive of our efforts by our military to secure our country.
Obama is pretty much closing the door on America acting unilaterally. Obama, like most liberals, is for America simply being another voice in the international chorus. This suits Obama’s agenda fine. By shuffling off our international problems to the UN and the like, Obama is free to concentrate on his first and only true interest, fundamental transformation through domestic policy.
Think back over the course of the last 16 months. All of our foreign policy issues have been a band-aid and shoved off to the back burner. North Korea and Iran have not been slowed in the least bit. Terrorism in the homeland has reared it head three times already. What has Obama done to provide a lasting fix to any of these issues?
When Obama officially rolls out his National Security strategy, expect it to look an awful lot like something from Europe, with tons of talk and “co-operation” and very little action on the issues.
Via: Memeorandum
Via: CBS News
Via: The Moderate Voice