New Directions for Foreign Relations
By John F. Kerry
January 13, 2009
AS SENATOR Hillary Clinton appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today for confirmation hearings as secretary of state, the foreign policy agenda of the US government is confronting many challenges. We are engaged in wars in different stages in Afghanistan and Iraq. Global climate change represents a potential catastrophe. The danger from the spread of nuclear weapons and technology remains significant.
Yet it would be wrong to infer that we cannot triumph over the torrent of troubles afflicting the world today. After eight years of unilateral decision-making on the world stage and log rolling and partisan paralysis at home, we have an opportunity to reshape the way the United States does business with the world. We can resolve these issues by reasserting our moral leadership and restoring the world’s trust in us through multilateral problem-solving rooted in diplomacy.
The Defense Department has fulfilled the enormous burdens placed upon our men and women overseas with honor and professionalism. But the road to reestablishing American leadership and improving the lives of our citizens and the rest of the world also runs through the State Department and the Congress. As incoming chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, I am determined to push an agenda that recognizes a new reality, returns civilian functions to civilians, and enhances the ability of US diplomats to play the leading role in solving these problems through effective foreign assistance and diplomacy.
We live under the constant threat of catastrophic terrorism. In recent weeks, we have heard chilling warnings about the prospect of nuclear terrorism. No issue is more urgent than dealing with nuclear proliferation. And none cries out louder for international cooperation. We need to signal the world that the United States is again ready to lead the way toward a world free of nuclear weapons. The ultimate goal may be far in the future, but now is the time to begin the journey with two dramatic steps.
First, I will urge the Obama administration to embrace the goal of reducing our strategic nuclear arsenals to 1,000 deployed warheads and work to persuade the Russians to do the same. That number is more than enough to keep us and our allies safe, but it will tell the world that we are determined to fulfill our responsibilities to eventually eliminate these doomsday weapons. In conjunction, it is essential that the new administration immediately open serious discussions with the Russians on extending or replacing the landmark Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expires in less than a year.
Read More: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/01/13/new_directions_for_foreign_relations/?tr=y&auid=4416372
