Senior Strategic Orientations of the United States

Ambassador Speckhard at the Hellenic National Defense College

Remarks by Ambassador Daniel V. Speckhard
Hellenic National Defense College
Athens, Greece
17 February 2009

(As prepared for delivery)

INTRODUCTION

General Yiambouras, thank you for inviting me here today and providing me the opportunity to address your school on US foreign policy, and the direction the US will take following the 2008 presidential election.  I consider it a real honor to be able to speak to your students, who, I am told, are the rising stars of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

THE MOMENT AND OUR HERITAGE

This is a historic moment for the United States, but also one that we share globally.  Never in the history of U.S. politics has one presidential election been followed so closely, by so many millions around the world.  I believe this is a measure of how interconnected we are today, how close the world has become, and the enormity of the challenges that we are facing.   

We are truly witnessing history in the making -- and what better place to do that from than here in Greece?  For without the heritage of democracy from the ancient Greeks, this past election’s events would be unimaginable.  We cherish this rich heritage of democratic values and ideals.  Under the Obama administration the United States will be guided by this basic principle: our security and our ideals are mutually reinforcing – not mutually exclusive.  We have won our independence, and protected our freedom, through the force of arms.  What lies behind the values of our revolution, and our independence, is the conviction that our policies must be informed by a “decent respect for the opinions of mankind.”  Our Founders understood then and the United States believes now - that as President Obama stated “the example of our power must be matched by the power of our example.”  Our new President has made it clear that our safety and our ideals are not mutually exclusive.  America will vigorously defend both our security and our values, and in doing so we will all be more secure. The President has committed that under his administration we will honor the foundational values that underpin America’s democracy … and that bind us to you.

Our democracy is strong and healthy, but America, and the world, is facing challenging times.  Some are saying that America is at a crossroads.  I think the election of President Obama has shown that the abiding commitment to the ideals of our nation -- ideals shared with democracies around the world -- is bearing fruit even in the midst of our troubles.  And I think this is why people have been so interested in our election, in this new President, and so hopeful as a result.

A NEW TONE

So, what is the strategic orientation of U.S. foreign policy under the new President?  Looking at the President’s agenda, it is clear the new administration is determined to set a new tone in Washington, and in America’s relations around the world. That new tone – rooted in strong partnerships to meet common challenges – is not a luxury.  The President believes it is a necessity. While every new beginning is a moment of hope, it is also a challenge. In this moment, our obligation to our fellow citizens is to do all we can to listen and learn from one another, and to work together for our common prosperity and security. That is what this moment demands. That is what the United States is determined to do.

THE ECONOMY

This is a decisive moment for the global economy.  The last year has seen unprecedented changes in the global financial landscape.

Following a decade of strong, worldwide growth, the past several months have seen high-profile failures of key financial institutions in America and Europe, and economic contraction in many countries – all of which are leading to declining consumption, growing unemployment, and hardship for ordinary people and their families.  

The last G-20 Summit on Financial Markets held in Washington led to significant decisions: to continue to stabilize financial markets and support the global economy; to lay the foundation for restructuring based on a shared belief in market principles, open trade and investment regimes; and, just as importantly, to better regulate while ensuring that market freedoms which encourage dynamism, innovation and entrepreneurship are maintained.

As we look to the coming year, governments around the world will be considering longer-term policy decisions aimed at reviving their economies.  As you know, many are considering ambitious stimulus packages.

In the United States, we are looking at using government funds to create jobs that will improve infrastructure and expand alternative sources of energy.  These programs must, however, be carefully crafted and serve the needs of both consumers and businesses.  They must support a revival of the economy in the short term, and enhance productivity over the longer term by encouraging engines of growth for our future.

Another thing we must keep in mind as we address our own financial and economic circumstances is the plight of poorer nations.  Now more than ever, it will be a challenge to maintain critical foreign assistance to those in other countries who are in dire need.  But helping others has always been a part of the American fabric, and the Greek one as well; and I am certain we will find a way to continue our assistance to those who are in need.
Our physical security and our economic security are closely linked.  We are all confronting a serious threat to our economic security that could spread instability and erode the progress we’ve made in improving the lives of our citizens. The United States, is taking aggressive action to stabilize our financial system, jump start our economy and lay a foundation for growth. We’re also working to stabilize our financial institutions by injecting capital, purchasing some assets, and guaranteeing others. These remedies will have an impact far beyond our shores, just as the measures other nations are taking will be felt beyond their borders, too. Because of that, to the greatest extent possible, we must cooperate, make sure that our actions are complementary, and do our utmost to combat this global crisis. The United States is doing its part and President Obama will be taking this message of cooperation to the world.
AFGHANISTAN

Even as we grapple with an economic crisis, we must contend with a war in Afghanistan now in its eighth year, and a war in Iraq well into its sixth year.
The United States remains committed to supporting the Afghan government as it builds its capabilities to serve Afghanistan's people and extend itself into the countryside.

We have made significant progress since the Taliban was removed from power, including a democratic constitution, successful presidential and parliamentary elections, a stable Afghan currency, a strong and growing national army, and vast improvement in access to healthcare and education for all Afghans.
Afghanistan’s history is replete with civil war and strife, a country that was a safe haven for terrorists just a few years ago.  Our shared interest is in seeing this country, achieve stability and by extension contribute to peace in the wider region.
As we responsibly draw down our forces in Iraq, the United States will continue to work for a stable Afghanistan that is not a haven for terrorists. This is of utmost importance not only to the government and people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, but to our other allies and partners.  We are all affected by the security threat that deteriorating situation in the region poses. President Obama has ordered a strategic review of our policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan to make sure that our goals are clear and achievable.
As we undertake that review, we seek ideas and input from our partners. The result must be a comprehensive strategy for which we all take responsibility. a strategy that brings together our civilian and military resources.  We must keep Afghanistan from being a terrorist safe haven and help Afghans develop the capacity to secure their own future.
Of course to succeed in Afghanistan we will need Pakistan.  The President sees strengthening our cooperation with the people and government of Pakistan as an essential element of a successful strategy in Afghanistan.  The international community will need to help them stabilize the problematic Tribal Areas and to promote sustainable economic development and opportunity throughout the region.

Again, I know the Afghan government is grateful for Greece’s assistance and again, I hope and trust that Greece will continue to be generous in its support for the people of this country.
IRAQ

Now let’s look at Iraq, where I served for two years before taking up my duties as the U.S. Ambassador here in Athens.  Bringing stability to Iraq remains one of our biggest and most important strategic tasks.  And we have taken an important step in this direction with the recent conclusion of two new agreements between the U.S. and Iraq.

The first is a Strategic Framework Agreement covering a broad range of political, diplomatic, cultural, economic, environmental, and technological areas of cooperation.

The second is a Security Agreement covering the three-year transition to Iraq taking full control of its own security and defense.  Under this second agreement, U.S. combat forces will withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30, 2009, and all U.S. forces are to withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2011.

Both agreements show full respect for Iraq’s sovereignty and lay the foundation for a long-term cooperative relationship between Iraq and the United States.  Of course, Iraq will continue to require the assistance and support of the international community as it moves forward.

I know the Iraqi government is grateful to Greece for its donations of equipment, training, and humanitarian assistance.  And I hope and trust that Greece will continue to be generous in support of Iraq and its people.

TERRORISM

As recent events have shown, the threat of terrorism arising from instability is still with us.  The United States is determined, however, to reach out to those who are willing to talk with us.

We must put ideological differences aside and work together to combat extremism and promote tolerance. President Obama has made clear that we will seek a new way forward based on mutual interest and mutual respect.  As an example of his commitment to reach out to the Muslim world and to reject the notion of a clash of civilizations, he gave his very first interview as President to Al-Arabiya.
To meet the challenges of this new century, the new administration believes defense and diplomacy are necessary – but only part of the package. We also need to promote development and democracy, to combat extremism, conflict and discord.
Recently, our new administration laid out ambitious goals to increase foreign assistance:
To cut extreme poverty in half by 2015;
To help eliminate the global education deficit;
To cancel the debt of the world’s poorest countries;
To launch a new Green Revolution that produces sustainable supplies of food and;
To advance democracy not through its imposition by force from the outside, but by working with moderates in government and civil society to build the institutions that will protect freedom.
MIDDLE EAST
Beyond Afghanistan and Iraq, and questions of international terrorism, there are other issues in the Middle East that will remain top priorities for the United States.  Among these are peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and the problem of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

President Obama has stressed the need for a secure, just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians.  In this effort, America needs Europe’s partnership.  The President’s Special Envoy, Senator George Mitchell, just completed his first trip to the Middle East where he listened to the views of those on the ground.  Consolidating the cease-fire in the near term by working with Egypt and others to stop smuggling and to develop an international relief and reconstruction effort that strengthens the Palestinian Authority is a priority
This cannot be accomplished without close collaboration among the United States, Europe and our Arab partners. Then, we must lay the foundation for more permanent peace.  We need to work together to achieve this and defeat the extremists that have perpetuated this conflict for far too long.  We also need to build on the momentum of the Arab Peace initiative and work toward a broader regional peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

Greece has been playing a helpful role, for which we are very grateful.  Foreign Minister Bakoyiannis’ initiative to bring Palestinian and Israeli youth together in Greece to build ties and strengthen understanding for the next generation of leaders is an excellent initiative.

IRAN

Another top priority is Iran. 
Iran has a rich cultural and historical background, and we appreciate the Iranian people.  But Iran’s government has not always acted in ways that are conducive to peace or to the prosperity of its people.  For example, Iran’s illicit nuclear program remains a concern.   Against the wishes of the international community, Iran continues its uranium enrichment program, and refuses to cooperate with the IAEA.  Our new administration is reviewing policy toward Iran, but this much I can say:
The United States is willing to talk to Iran.  But Iran must choose either to continue its current course which will lead to pressure and isolation, or abandon its illicit nuclear program and support for terrorism, and earn meaningful incentives.
President Obama has said we will strive to act preventively, not preemptively to avoid wherever possible a choice of last resort between the risks of war and the dangers of inaction.
We will draw upon all the elements of our multilateral diplomacy to stop crises before they start.
We will also draw on the strength of our bilateral relations, which includes our continuing ongoing good cooperation with Greece, as we seek to address international challenges such as Iran’s proliferation activities.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Now let me move on to another common challenge that we face.  The United States feels strongly that we must mitigate climate change if we are to protect our planet.  Since 2001, my government has allocated tens of billions of dollars to combating climate change.  As a result, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions intensity -- the ratio of emissions to economic output -- has begun to decline.

The Obama administration is determined to build a sustainable future for our planet – and we are committed to leading by example.  Change starts at home, and America will take strong actions against climate change and in pursuit of energy security. Our President’s economic stimulus includes long-term investments in renewable energy.
The President has directed our environmental protection agency to review how we regulate emissions, started a process to raise fuel efficiency and appointed a climate envoy – all in his first week in office. As America renews our emphasis on diplomacy, development, democracy and preserving our planet, we will ask our allies to rethink some of their own approaches.

EUROPE

Europe is our natural partner in meeting all these foreign policy priorities.  Our transatlantic relationship is essential to advancing our shared interests and in dealing with challenges like those I have just described.  And Greece, in particular, is a longstanding ally -- one with whom the United States has deep historical, political, military, social and cultural ties.

In this audience, you are particularly aware of Greece’s contributions in key military theater around the world:  Kosovo, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Lebanon, the Mediterranean, and most recently off the coast of Somalia to combat modern piracy.

In many of these arenas, we are working closely with Europe through NATO -- and through the EU.  A good example of this is the fact that the United States is helping staff the EU’s Rule of Law mission in Kosovo.

We are working closely with Europe through the OSCE, as well -- and look forward to even closer cooperation as Greece has taken over the Chairmanship.

Closer to home, in the Balkans and throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, America’s fundamental interest is in fostering regional stability.  Greece is our essential and natural partner in this endeavor.  So let me review just a few of the issues of particular concern in this neighborhood.

On Cyprus, the United States, like many of our allies, is encouraged that UN-sponsored talks are on-going.  We remain ready to assist in any way that the parties deem to be helpful.  We continue to support a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution.

Greece has taken the strategic view that a Turkey that is firmly anchored in the West and that has subscribed to the EU “aquis” is the best possible neighbor Greece could have to its east.  The United States wholeheartedly endorses Greece’s strategic vision.  Like you, we also have a robust dialogue with Turkey on key issues.

This week, we joined Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, and other Allies at NATO in reaffirming our interest in a Europe that is whole, and free, and united in peace, democracy, and common values.  So let me now talk about Greece’s neighbor to the north.

We want to avoid a situation where Skopje is isolated from the NATO and EU processes that have been so important in fostering reform.  For this reason, we continue to support the UN-led negotiations with Athens to resolve the name dispute.

A last word, if I may, on Russia and its relationship with the United States and Europe.  Russia was and remains one of the world’s great countries and has the potential to contribute greatly to global security and prosperity.

Unfortunately, Russia is not living up to this potential. 
The United States rejects the zero sum view that NATO’s gain is Russia’s loss, or that Russia’s strength is NATO’s weakness. As Vice President Biden said in Munich, it is time to press the reset button and to revisit the many areas where we can and should work together. Russia wisely warned about the rising threat from the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.  The US believes that  NATO and Russia share a desire to defeat terrorism and can and should work together to defeat this common threat.
In addition to combating terrorism, we have common cause to secure loose nuclear weapons and materials and prevent their spread.  We can also revitalize the verification procedures in the START treaty and work to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons by negotiating deeper cuts in our arsenals.  In the international effort to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world, the United States and Russia have a special obligation to take the lead.  The US is wiling to cooperate with Russia to do so.
That is not to say that we will always agree with our Russian friends.  Just as our democratic values will inform our fight against terrorism, they will also shape our foreign policy.  For example, we will always support the right of sovereign states to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances.  Therefore, the United States will not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. We will not recognize a sphere of influence.

But the United States and Russia can disagree and still work together where our interests coincide.  President Medvedev has made statements recently that he wants to see Russia strengthen the rule of law and become more closely integrated into the international community.  We support these goals and hope that Russia will, indeed, move in this direction.

CONCLUSION 

I have spoken of our foreign policy priorities as a country.  The list is long, given America’s position in the world.  But as our new Presidentt has stated:

“The true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.” 

As we face the challenges I have mentioned, it is important to remember the fundamentals of America’s foreign policy approach as a nation.

America will work with partners to address modern threats to our common security.  We will work to create conditions of peace and prosperity in troubled regions.  We will promote liberty and freedom around the world.  And we will continue to consider violations of human rights and injustice anywhere as a threat to justice everywhere.

I believe the common ideals of freedom, justice, and peace unite us as we work on global challenges and seek to share the same peace, prosperity and democracy we so much enjoy.

Thank you for your service to your country and for the strong ties that bind our two countries and peoples  Sas efcharisto poli.