Eleven months into his presidency, a set of Obama principles, if not quite a doctrine, is beginning to emerge — a philosophy about when to use American military force, when to forsake it and when to threaten its use to back up diplomatic pressure.
The president’s acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize on Thursday explored what happens when the concept of “just and unjust wars” intersects with the realities of commanding the only military that can act as the world’s policeman of last resort.
By reaching back to the concept of “just war” at the moment he was accepting a prize for peace, Mr. Obama was signaling that after nearly a year in office, his views about the need to resort to force at times have begun to harden. It was almost certainly not the speech that the Nobel committee expected to hear, nor the one Mr. Obama himself might have written six years ago.
“I face the world as it is,” Mr. Obama declared, a phrase he later repeated to bolster his bona fides as a realist. “For make no mistake: Evil does exist in the world. A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitler’s armies. Negotiations cannot convince Al Qaeda’s leaders to lay down their arms.”
"Where force is necessary, we have a moral and strategic interest in binding ourselves to certain rules of conduct. And even as we confront a vicious adversary that abides by no rules, I believe that the United States of America must remain a standard bearer in the conduct of war," he declared.
"I believe that we must develop alternatives to violence that are tough enough to change behavior - for if we want a lasting peace, then the words of the international community must mean something," he said.
"Those regimes that break the rules must be held accountable. Sanctions must exact a real price. Intransigence must be met with increased pressure - and such pressure exists only when the world stands together as one."
Nevertheless, he said, "I, like any head of state - reserve the right to act unilaterally if necessary to defend my nation." Still, he said, "I am convinced that adhering to standards strengthens those who do, and isolates - and weakens - those who don't."
"So let us reach for the world that ought to be ? that spark of the divine that still stirs within each of our souls," Obama said, as he brought his address to an end.
"We can acknowledge that oppression will always be with us, and still strive for justice. We can admit the intractability of depravation, and still strive for dignity. We can understand that there will be war, and still strive for peace.
Israel couldn't have asked more from Obama, as Israel faces it on a daily basis, while stretching out our hand for peace, we are facing threats of our neighbors and enemies, therefore we are forced to take action to defend out Nation. therefore it is important to make clear that while Israel is making concession and taking risks for peace, we will not give up on Our security.
The president’s acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize on Thursday explored what happens when the concept of “just and unjust wars” intersects with the realities of commanding the only military that can act as the world’s policeman of last resort.
By reaching back to the concept of “just war” at the moment he was accepting a prize for peace, Mr. Obama was signaling that after nearly a year in office, his views about the need to resort to force at times have begun to harden. It was almost certainly not the speech that the Nobel committee expected to hear, nor the one Mr. Obama himself might have written six years ago.
“I face the world as it is,” Mr. Obama declared, a phrase he later repeated to bolster his bona fides as a realist. “For make no mistake: Evil does exist in the world. A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitler’s armies. Negotiations cannot convince Al Qaeda’s leaders to lay down their arms.”
"Where force is necessary, we have a moral and strategic interest in binding ourselves to certain rules of conduct. And even as we confront a vicious adversary that abides by no rules, I believe that the United States of America must remain a standard bearer in the conduct of war," he declared.
"I believe that we must develop alternatives to violence that are tough enough to change behavior - for if we want a lasting peace, then the words of the international community must mean something," he said.
"Those regimes that break the rules must be held accountable. Sanctions must exact a real price. Intransigence must be met with increased pressure - and such pressure exists only when the world stands together as one."
Nevertheless, he said, "I, like any head of state - reserve the right to act unilaterally if necessary to defend my nation." Still, he said, "I am convinced that adhering to standards strengthens those who do, and isolates - and weakens - those who don't."
"So let us reach for the world that ought to be ? that spark of the divine that still stirs within each of our souls," Obama said, as he brought his address to an end.
"We can acknowledge that oppression will always be with us, and still strive for justice. We can admit the intractability of depravation, and still strive for dignity. We can understand that there will be war, and still strive for peace.
Israel couldn't have asked more from Obama, as Israel faces it on a daily basis, while stretching out our hand for peace, we are facing threats of our neighbors and enemies, therefore we are forced to take action to defend out Nation. therefore it is important to make clear that while Israel is making concession and taking risks for peace, we will not give up on Our security.