Follow us through the past weeks with a look back at some of the stories that we featured on our front page:
President Obama meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki
October 20, 2009. President Obama discussed with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki how the relationship between the United States and Iraq will progress in the coming months and years. The leaders also touched on upcoming Parliamentary decisions in Iraq, US troop withdrawals, and the economy, trade, and commerce. After their meeting, President Obama said:
“We have seen in the last several months a consolidation of a commitment to democratic politics inside of Iraq. We are very interested, both of us, in making sure that Iraq has an election law that is completed on time so that elections can take place on time in January. That is consistent with the transition that has been taking place, and I reemphasized my commitment to Prime Minister Maliki that we will have our combat troops out of Iraq by August of next year, and all of our troops out of Iraq by 2011.
But we didn’t just talk about military and security issues. What is wonderful about this trip is that it represents a transition in our bilateral relationship so that we are moving now to issues beyond security and we are beginning to talk about economy, trade, commerce. The business and investment conference that’s taking place is going to be very well attended. It includes not only Prime Minister Maliki but business leaders from both the United States and Iraq. We’ve seen over the last several months progress being made on providing clarification about investment laws inside of Iraq. There are obviously enormous opportunities for our countries to do business together.” statement in full | Remarks by Secretary Clinton at the U.S.-Iraq Business and Investment Conference (video)
Secretary Clinton discusses new Sudan Strategy
October 19, 2009. In Washington, Secretary Clinton discussed the new U.S. strategy for building peace and security in Sudan: “An unstable Sudan not only jeopardizes the future of the 40 million people there. It can also be an incubator of violence and instability in an already volatile region, it can provide a safe haven for international terrorists, and trigger another humanitarian catastrophe that Sudan, its neighbors, and the world cannot afford. All too often, efforts to bring peace and stability to Sudan have been undermined by factionalism, broken peace agreements and cease-fires, and the involvement of regional states affected by the crisis... Even while the intensity of the violence has decreased since 2005, the people of Darfur continue to live in unconscionable and unacceptable conditions... Our strategy has three principal objectives: First, an end to conflict, gross human rights abuses, war crimes, and genocide in Darfur; second, implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that results in a united and peaceful Sudan after 2011, or an orderly path toward two separate and viable states at peace with each other; and third, a Sudan that does not provide a safe haven for terrorists.” remarks in full | Background Briefing | Statement by President Obama/Arabic (pdf) | Sudan Strategy | Sudan: A Critical Moment, A Comprehensive Approach
October 16, 2009. In an interview with CNN Secretary Clinton said: The President “asked for a report about how we should think about what we were doing. It was quite remarkable that the report came in with two big ideas that had not, in my view, been fully either explored or certainly implemented in the prior eight years. One was you’ve got to look at Afghanistan and Pakistan together. Now, that may sound self-evident, but that wasn’t what was being done previously. And you have to have a much greater integration of the civilian and the military efforts. And the President said at that time, okay, we’re going to send these additional troops. Afghanistan has been under-resourced from the beginning. I have said that since 2003 when I first went to Afghanistan and an American soldier met me by saying welcome to the forgotten front lines in the war against terrorism... I’m very impressed with the commitment that the Pakistani Government – both the civilian leadership and the military – have made. When I said what I said some months ago, there was not the full commitment of going after those who were threatening territory and authority inside
Pakistan. There is now. And I think the military in Pakistan has proven
its effectiveness in going into Swat. From what I read in
the paper, they’re very much focused on also going into the heartland
of where the Pakistani Taliban and al-Qaida are located and where these
plots and these attacks are planned and directed. So I think that they
understand that there is a direct threat to them, which they are
addressing, which I think is all to the good.” full transcript | Country Reports on Terrorism: South and Central Asia
Special Representative Holbrooke on Security in Afghanistan
July 29, 2009. In Washington, Special Representative Richard Holbrooke briefed journalists about his recent trip to Afghanistan: “It’s absolutely essential that over time Afghanistan assume
responsibility for its own security and combat troops draw down. Of
course, economic assistance, training, advisory work will continue for
quite a while. The current force levels of police and army are clearly
going to have to be increased... After the
election, this will be a subject we will look at in conjunction with
the new government...” Ambassador Holbrooke also explained the strategy in fighting the drug trade: “[W]e are phasing out crop eradication. The United States and the ISAF
forces are not going to go around assisting or participating in the
destruction of poppy fields anymore... All we did was alienate poppy farmers who were poor farmers... and we were driving people into
the hands of the Taliban... [O]ur policy is to strengthen the government and help defeat the Taliban,
and we were not doing it. And the amount of hectarage we were
destroying was inconsequential and the amount of money we were denying
the Taliban was zero.” Instead, Ambassador Holbrooke saw promising results in the increased efforts in interdiction and the upgrade of agriculture which he called “the most well-received change in American policy.” full transcript | Voucher Program for Afghan Farmers Encourages Agriculture
U.S. and China Create Platform for Climate Policy Cooperation
July 28, 2009. After the signing of the U.S.-China Memorandum of Understanding to
Enhance Cooperation in Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment, Secretary Clinton said: “This memorandum builds on past efforts,
including the Ten Year Framework for Energy Environment Cooperation,
and highlights the importance of climate change in our bilateral
relationship by creating a platform for climate policy dialogue and
cooperation. It also provides our countries with direction as we work
together to support international climate negotiations and accelerate
the transition to a low-carbon economy.” video & transcript | Fact Sheet | Closing Remarks | Background on China
Shaping the 21st century: U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue
July 24, 2009. In a teleconference, Secretary Hillary Clinton announced the delivery of budget support to the Palestinian Authority, under the leadership of President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad: “The United States has transferred $200 million in direct support to the Palestinian Authority. This transfer fulfills a critical portion of the assistance package that I announced in March in Sharm el-Sheikh. The ability of the United States to provide support directly to the Palestinian Authority is an indication of the bipartisan support for the effort to secure the peace in the Middle East, as well as for the fundamental reforms that the Palestinian Authority has undertaken.” Full Text | Fact Sheet • Intervention at the International Conference in Support of the Palestinian Economy for the Reconstruction of Gaza March 2, 2009
President Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki
July 22, 2009. Three weeks after all U.S. troops withdrew from Iraqi cities, and transferred power to Iraq’s security forces, President Barack Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to discuss a broad range of issues, including the future role of the United States in Iraq. After their meeting, President Obama said: “We will continue to provide training and support for Iraqi security forces that are capable and nonsectarian. We’ll move forward with our strategy to responsibly remove all American combat brigades from Iraq by the end of next August, and to fulfill our commitment to remove all American troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.” The President also said “that there will be some tough days ahead. There will be attacks on Iraqi security forces and the American troops supporting them,” but: “The Iraqi people have already rejected these forces of division and destruction. And American troops have the capability, the support and flexibility they need to stand with our Iraqi partners on behalf of a sovereign, secure, and self-reliant Iraq.” remarks in full
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Man's First Steps on the Moon
President Barack Obama with Apollo 11 astronauts, from left, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and Neil Armstrong in the Oval Office
July 20, 2009. Exactly 40 years after man first stepped foot on the moon, the President welcomed Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin to the White House to honor their achievement. He called the Apollo 11 astronauts “American heroes” and praised the entire NASA family for making that iconic flight possible. The President also said: “You inspired an entire generation of scientists and engineers that ended up really sparking the innovation, the drive, the entrepreneurship, the creativity back here on Earth... And one of the things that I've committed to doing as President is making sure that math and science are cool again, and that we once again keep the goal by 2020 of having the highest college graduation rates of any country on Earth, especially in the maths and science fields.” download video (mp4, 48.7 MB) | transcript | background
Need for health reform: “urgent and indisputable”
July 20, 2009. President Obama held a roundtable at the Children's National Medical Center on health reform: “[O]ver the past decade, premiums have doubled in America; out-of-pocket
costs have shot up by a third; deductibles have continued to climb. And yet, even as America’s families have been battered by spiraling
health care costs, health insurance companies and their executives have
reaped windfall profits from a broken system... [W]e can't afford the politics of delay and defeat when it comes to health care.“ remarks in full | The President's
Press Conference - Full Video | Health Care Reform Town Hall (July 23)
Secretary Clinton: "A New Era of Engagement"
July 15, 2009. In her Foreign Policy Address at the Council on Foreign Relations Secretary Clinton said: “We want to reverse the spread of nuclear weapons, prevent their use, and build a world free of their threat. We want to isolate and defeat terrorists and counter violent extremists while reaching out to Muslims around the world. We want to encourage and facilitate the efforts of all parties to pursue and achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. We want to seek global economic recovery and growth by strengthening our own economy, advancing a robust development agenda, expanding trade that is free and fair, and boosting investment that creates decent jobs. We want to combat climate change, increase energy security, and lay the foundation for a prosperous clean-energy future. We want to support and encourage democratic governments that protect the rights and deliver results for their people. And we intend to stand up for human rights everywhere.” Full Text | Question and Answer Session | Background Briefing on Secretary Clinton's Foreign Policy Speech • Comment in Sueddeutsche Zeitung
Obama in Accra: A New Moment of Promise in Africa
July 11, 2009: In his address to the Ghanaian Parliament in Accra, President Obama said: “The 21st
century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington,
but by what happens in Accra, as well... This is the simple truth of a time
when the boundaries between people are overwhelmed by our connections. Your
prosperity can expand America’s prosperity. Your health and security can
contribute to the world’s health and security. And the strength of your
democracy can help advance human rights for people everywhere... So I do not
see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a
fundamental part of our interconnected world — as partners with
America on behalf of the future we want for all of our children. That
partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility and mutual respect.” Listen to the full speech (mp3) | Full Text in English | in French | in Arabic | in Portuguese | in Swahili
G8 address climate change, reducing their emissions at the L’Aquila Summit
July 9, 2009. At the G-8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy, President
Obama remarked on the major economies forum declaration: “[C]limate
change is one of the defining challenges of our time... Every nation on
this planet is at risk, and just as no one nation is responsible for
climate change, no one nation can address it alone.” more
July 8, 2009. The G8 leaders endorsed the strategy that President Obama had presented in Prague and released a statement that is moving toward a world without nuclear weapons and strengthening the non-proliferation treaty. press release
July 7, 2009. Today, President Obama addressed graduates at the New Economic School
in Moscow:
“America wants a strong, peaceful, and prosperous Russia. This belief is rooted in our respect for the Russian people, and a shared history between our nations that goes beyond competition. Despite our past rivalry, our people were allies in the greatest struggle of the last century...
So as we honor this past, we also recognize the future benefit that will come from a strong and vibrant Russia. Think of the issues that will define your lives: security from nuclear weapons and extremism; access to markets and opportunity; health and the environment; an international system that protects sovereignty and human rights, while promoting stability and prosperity. These challenges demand global partnership, and that partnership will be stronger if Russia occupies its rightful place as a great power.” full transcript| video
“Unbreakable bonds of friendship and trust” - President Obama welcomes Chancellor Merkel in Washington
June 26, 2009. In his welcome remarks to Chancellor Merkel, President Obama said: “We've worked closely together at the G20 summit in
London, the NATO summit, and the European Union-U.S. summit in Prague. I value
her wisdom and her candor, and I admire very much her leadership and her
pragmatic approach to getting things done.” In their meetings, President Obama and Chancellor Merkel discussed the situation in Iran, the Middle East and nuclear disarmament. “Meeting these challenges will be neither quick nor easy. But I'm reminded of a
lesson from my recent visit to Dresden. Chancellor Merkel took me to a timeless
Baroque church devastated in the Second World War. For decades it lay in ruin,
a symbol of war. But thanks to the donations of Germans and Americans and
people around the world, it was rebuilt, and its glory was restored. Today, it
stands as a stunning symbol of what's possible when countries and friends work
together.” remarks in full • photos at www.bundeskanzlerin.de
“We must bear witness to the courage and the dignity of the Iranian people”
June 23, 2009. In his opening remarks at the White House Press Conference, President Obama said: “The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, the beatings, and imprisonments of the last few days. I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost... As I said in Cairo, suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. The Iranian people have a universal right to assembly and free speech. If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect those rights and heed the will of its own people. It must govern through consent and not coercion. That's what Iran's own people are calling for, and the Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government.” President's Remarks on Iran, Video and transcript
June 17, 2009. President Obama laid out a comprehensive regulatory reform plan to modernize and protect the integrity of our financial system. The core principles include supervision and regulation of all financial firms; regulation of core markets and market infrastructure; consumer protection; tools to manage failing institutions; and improving international regulatory standards and cooperation. blog: video & transcript | background: fact sheets
U.S. Committed to Israel's Security
June 17, 2009. After her meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Secretary Clinton said: “The
United States will never do anything to undermine Israel’s security, and the
United States also supports a viable Palestinian state. We do not believe that
these two objectives are incompatible. In fact, we believe they are both
critical elements of a comprehensive and secure peace." Full Text | Video
U.S. Reaction towards North Korea's nuclear test
Susan E. Rice
Permanent U.S. Representative to the
United Nations
President Barack Obama announces a breakthrough on fuel economy and emissions standards
May 19, 2009. President Obama announced a breakthrough on fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions
standards. The President was joined on stage by the presidents, CEOs, or other top
executives from Ford, Toyota, General Motors, Honda, Chrysler, BMW AG,
Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, Volkswagen, and the United Auto Workers. The program covers model year 2012 to model year 2016 and ultimately
requires an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg in 2016 with a
projected reduction in oil consumption of approximately 1.8 billion
barrels over the life of the program. Or, in the President’s words, “more oil than we imported last year from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela,
Libya, and Nigeria combined.” remarks in full
"The United States is no longer absent without leave" - Secretary Clinton on Energy and Climate
April 27, 2009. In her opening remarks at the first preparatory session of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: “Climate change is a clear and present danger to our world that demands immediate attention... President Obama has proposed a broad, market-based cap on carbon pollution that would include a mandatory national target through the year 2050, when emissions would be cut by 80 percent... [S]ome see the economic crisis as an excuse to delay action. We see it in an exactly opposite way, as an opportunity to move toward a low carbon future.” full transcript
Strengthening the Transatlantic Alliance: An Overview of the Obama Administration’s Policies in Europe
June 16, 2009. In his statement before the Subcommittee on Europe of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Assistant Secretary Gordon said: “President Obama, Secretary Clinton, and I are committed to reinvigorating and deepening the traditional relationships of confidence and trust we share with
Europe. Europe is eager to reciprocate and increase the breadth of our close
relationship, one that is based on shared values, including an enduring
commitment to democracy, transparency, accountability, respect for human rights,
and the rule of law. Today, I will highlight some examples of what the United
States and Europe have achieved and what our policy objectives are going
forward.” Full Text | Video
"So people don't forget" - Remarks By The President At D-Day 65th Anniversary Ceremony
June 6, 2009. In the presence of President Sarkozy, Prime Minister Brown, Prime Minister Harper, and Prince Charles, President Barack Obama said at the 65th Anniversary Ceremony in Normandy: “Friends and veterans, we cannot forget. What we must not forget is that D-Day was a time and a place where the bravery and the selflessness of a few was able to change the course of an entire century... human destiny is not determined by forces beyond our control... Our history has always been the sum total of the choices made and the actions taken by each individual man and woman.” remarks and photos
Dresden, Buchenwald, Landstuhl: President Barack Obama in Germany
President Obama and Chancellor Merkel in the historical Green Vault in Dresden (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
June 5, 2009. After signing the Golden Books of Saxony and Dresden in the Green Vault of Dresden Royal Castle, President Barack Obama met with Chancellor Merkel and discussed the situation in the Middle East, Iran's nuclear program, Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo, the environment, and the global financial crisis. In the subsequent press conference President Obama and Chancellor Merkel underlined the strong ties between Germany and the United States. When asked about the Middle East, President Obama reiterated that it is in the interest of all to give a new impetus to the stalled peace process. He appealed to all parties in the conflict to show their willingness to make peace in the Middle East. Concerning the reduction of carbon dioxide, the President said that the world needs targets that it can meet. Afterwards, President Obama and Chancellor Merkel toured the Church of Our Lady and paid a visit to the former concentration camp Buchenwald. The President traveled on to France, paying a visit to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center en route. Dresden Press Conference | Remarks at Buchenwald Concentration Camp |
Visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center • sixty photos from the President's trip to the Middle East and Europe
A New Beginning: President Obama Spoke to Muslim World from Cairo
June 4, 2009. At Cairo University, President Barack Obama delivered a major speech on a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world. President Obama said that America and Islam are not exclusive, and that, instead, they share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings. President Obama continued to say, “I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. I know there’s been a lot of publicity about this speech, but no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have this afternoon all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors.” Speech | Watch the speech
“The End of an Old GM, and the Beginning of a New GM”
June 1, 2009. President Obama discussed the plan to get General Motors back on its feet: “What we have, then, is a credible plan that is full of promise. But GM can’t put this plan into effect on its own. Executing this plan will require a substantial amount of money that only a government can provide. Considering GM’s extensive operations within their borders, the governments of Canada and Ontario have agreed to do their part with an investment in GM’s future, and I want to thank them for doing so. I also want to thank the government of Germany for working diligently to reach a Memorandum of Understanding on the sale of a major stake in GM’s European Division and for providing interim funding that will make it possible for that transaction to be finalized.”
blog | remarks in full | White
House fact sheet
President Obama Meets with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu
President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
May 18, 2009. President Obama welcomed newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House, beginning the first of three separate high-stakes consultations to refocus the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. After meeting with Netanyahu, Obama is scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on May 26 and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas two days later. Negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians had resumed after the 2007 Annapolis Conference on Middle East peace, but sputtered to a halt last year. america.gov | remarks in full
United States joins the UN Human Rights Council
May 12, 2009. After the United States was elected to join the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Susan Rice said: “We’re particularly gratified by the strong support we received, 90 percent of the valid votes cast, and we’re gratified by the strong showing of encouragement for the United States to again play a meaningful leadership role in multilateral organizations including the UN on the very vitally important set of issues relating to human rights and democracy.” Full Text | Video
May 6, 2009. After her meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Secretary Clinton said: „We exchanged views on a range of important issues, from Afghanistan, North Korea, the Middle East, Iran, so many other areas where we have common interests and common concerns, even on areas where our views may diverge. We both want to achieve stability and security in Georgia. We are both committed to the NATO-Russia Council to open up another important channel of dialogue. And we are very focused on making sure that the United States and Russia have a very vigorous ongoing dialogue among our two governments.“ Full Text | View Video
Obama Meets with Afghan, Pakistani Leaders
May 6-7, 2009. The presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan are meeting with President Obama and other senior U.S. officials to try to develop closer trilateral coordination against terrorism and to address the impact of the global economic crisis in their countries. A White House spokesman said that “the President supports the democratically elected governments of both of these
countries and looks forward ... to working with each, and working
together trilaterally to address the extremist threat from al Qaeda and its
allies that all three of these countries face. And I think the President
believes the meetings Wednesday and ultimately on Thursday will be productive in
doing that.” blog | background from America.gov • Briefing
by National Security Advisor General James Jones on the President's Meetings
with President Karzai of Afghanistan and President Zardari of Pakistan
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U.S. Government Reports
October 20, 2009. President Obama discussed with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki how the relationship between the United States and Iraq will progress in the coming months and years. The leaders also touched on upcoming Parliamentary decisions in Iraq, US troop withdrawals, and the economy, trade, and commerce. After their meeting, President Obama said:
“We have seen in the last several months a consolidation of a commitment to democratic politics inside of Iraq. We are very interested, both of us, in making sure that Iraq has an election law that is completed on time so that elections can take place on time in January. That is consistent with the transition that has been taking place, and I reemphasized my commitment to Prime Minister Maliki that we will have our combat troops out of Iraq by August of next year, and all of our troops out of Iraq by 2011.
But we didn’t just talk about military and security issues. What is wonderful about this trip is that it represents a transition in our bilateral relationship so that we are moving now to issues beyond security and we are beginning to talk about economy, trade, commerce. The business and investment conference that’s taking place is going to be very well attended. It includes not only Prime Minister Maliki but business leaders from both the United States and Iraq. We’ve seen over the last several months progress being made on providing clarification about investment laws inside of Iraq. There are obviously enormous opportunities for our countries to do business together.” 
July 22, 2009. Three weeks after all U.S. troops withdrew from Iraqi cities, and transferred power to Iraq’s security forces, President Barack Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to discuss a broad range of issues, including the future role of the United States in Iraq. After their meeting, President Obama said: “We will continue to provide training and support for Iraqi security forces that are capable and nonsectarian. We’ll move forward with our strategy to responsibly remove all American combat brigades from Iraq by the end of next August, and to fulfill our commitment to remove all American troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.” The President also said “that there will be some tough days ahead. There will be attacks on Iraqi security forces and the American troops supporting them,” but: “The Iraqi people have already rejected these forces of division and destruction. And American troops have the capability, the support and flexibility they need to stand with our Iraqi partners on behalf of a sovereign, secure, and self-reliant Iraq.” 
