NSN Statement: American Leadership on the Global Stage
Today President Barack Obama addressed the United Nations General Assembly, expressing his vision of America’s role in the world and reflecting on changes in the international landscape since he last addressed the General Assembly. The president pointed to progress on terrorism; democracy movements in the Middle East and Africa; transitions in Iraq and Afghanistan; efforts to promote open government and human rights; and strengthened alliances aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. “[I]t has been a remarkable year,” President Obama said. “Something is happening in our world. The way things have been is not the way they will be.”
Heather Hurlburt, NSN executive director and former presidential speechwriter, responds:
“President Obama’s speech to the UN bookended a year which leaves the United States looking at a dramatically -changed world – with the death of Osama bin Laden, the moves toward ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and, the largest democracy movements in 25 years. The speech offered Americans, struggling with economic hardship and political gridlock at home, a vision of how effective partnerships abroad can help us turn the economy around, fight terrorism and promote health and well-being. At the same time it, told the world that America remains fully engaged and committed to leading the work of shaping our common future.”
“The transformations of the last year – the spread of democratic movements and values in the Arab Spring but also progress on halting nuclear proliferation, leveraging international pressure on Iran and employing international partnerships to fight terrorism- demonstrate again the effectiveness of the UN and international institutions for achieving concrete U.S. goals at a cost commensurate with our interests.”
To speak to NSN experts, please contact Sara DuBois at, sdubois@nsnetwork.org or 202-289-7113
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