Published on Sep 28, 2015
President Obama Confronts Russia, China and Iran, Criticizes Trump’s Wall In Speech to UN.
President Obama Confronts Russia, China and Iran, Criticizes Trump’s Wall In Speech to UN.
Obama Strikes Russia before meeting Putin face-to-face. UN general assembly: Barack Obama lambasts Russia's actions in Ukraine. Obama at the UN: I won't hesitate to use force.
President Obama U.N. Address: Chanting ‘Death to America!’ does not create jobs or make Iran more secure' President Obama addressed the United Nations General Assembly.
President Barack Obama called for a modern approach to the world's problems in his Monday address at the United Nations.
"I lead the strongest military that the world has ever known. And I will never hesitate to
President Barack Obama called for a modern approach to the world's problems in his Monday address at the United Nations.
"I lead the strongest military that the world has ever known. And I will never hesitate to
protect my country or our allies—unilaterally and by force—when necessary," he said. "But I stand before you today believing in my core that we, the nations of the world, cannot return to the old ways of conflict and coercion—we cannot look backwards."
While also referencing Syria and China, Obama focused much of his address on Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin.
Criticizing Moscow's actions in the ongoing civil war in Ukraine, the U.S. president said the situation would be better for Russians and Ukrainians alike if Putin had pursued a peaceful
Criticizing Moscow's actions in the ongoing civil war in Ukraine, the U.S. president said the situation would be better for Russians and Ukrainians alike if Putin had pursued a peaceful
strategy.
"Imagine if instead Russia had engaged in true diplomacy and worked with Ukraine and the international community to ensure its interests were protected—that would be better for
Ukraine, but also better for Russia, and better for the World," Obama said, emphasizing that he had no wish to return to another Cold War.
He also echoed comments from last week, saying that the U.S. is similarly pushing for China to resolve territorial disputes with its neighbors in the South China Sea because "like every nation gathered here, we have an interest in upholding the basic principles of freedom of navigation and the free-flow of commerce, and in resolving disputes through international
law, not the law of force." Read More › Obama and Putin to meet on sidelines of UN
Recognizing that diplomacy is a difficult process, with often unsatisfying outcomes, Obama argued that powerful countries have an imperative to pursue these tactics.
"Leaders of large nations, in particular, have an obligation to take these risks—precisely because we are strong enough to protect our interests if and when diplomacy fails," he said.
The president acknowledged that there will be times when "we must act" against global disorder, but he told those assembled at the U.N. that "we will be stronger when we act together."
On the subject of Syria, Obama said the U.S. will not apologize for its use of force against the Islamic State (also known as ISIS or ISIL), but that internal cooperation will ultimately be needed to heal the country.
He said the U.S. stands ready to work with any nation—including Russia and Iran—to resolve the conflict, but he called for recognition that returning to the "pre-war status quo" is not the right solution. Russia has advocated supporting Bashar al-Assad's reassertion of dominance over the country as a means to combat the extremist groups operating in Syria.
"Let's remember how this started," Obama said. "Assad reacted to peaceful protests by escalating repression and killing that in-turn created the environment for the current strife."
The president argued that political realism demands compromises to defeat the Islamic State—as Moscow argues—but that it also requires a "managed transition" away from Assad and to a new leader.
Obama was one of the first speakers at the opening of general debate for the 70th session of the U.N. General Assembly. He was scheduled to be followed Chinese President Xi Jinping,
Putin and French President François Hollande.
President Obama took on a confrontational tone in his speech this morning to the United Nations General Assembly, specifically calling out Russia, China and Iran for destabilizing activities in various world conflicts.
Obama opened his speech directly decrying "strong states that seek to impose their will on weaker ones," then alluded to Russian support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"On this basis, we see some major powers assert themselves in ways that contravene international law," Obama said. "We're told that such retrenchment is required to beat back disorder, that it's the only way to stamp out terrorism. In accordance with this logic, we
should support tyrants like Bashar al-Assad."
Earlier in the morning, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon called for the first time for Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court.
Earlier in the morning, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon called for the first time for Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court.
Obama's remarks came just before a speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two will also have their first sit-down in more than two years in the afternoon and are expected to discuss Russian involvement in the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria.
