Tag Archives: President Obama

Netanyahu and Obama to Meet for the First Time Since the Iran Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama will meet today at the White House. It will be their first meeting since their public disagreements over the Iran nuclear deal.

CBS News reports that the two world leaders will discuss Israel-Palestine relations, Middle East security issues, and the nuclear deal with Iran. They will also discuss an extension to a 10-year agreement that expires in 2017 where the U.S. will continue to provide military aid to Israel.

And while the Obama administration did recently admit that Palestine-Israel peace will not be achieved during Obama’s term in office, administration officials did tell CBS News that Obama will discuss with Netanyahu the possibility of peace talks with the future administration.

However, the ultimate goal for both countries is to reopen channels of communication and to ease past tensions, according to Ilan Goldenberg, a former State Department official who now directs the Middle East Security Program at the Center for a New American Security.

Prime Minister Netanyahu will also be speaking at the Center for American Progress (CAP), a liberal organization, during his visit to the U.S. Political analysts believe it is a move to mend bridges with U.S. Democrats after his speech in March where he condemned the nuclear deal with Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister to Visit U.S. to Discuss Various Political Matters with President Obama

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit President Obama on Monday to discuss various issues including the nuclear deal with Iran, peace between Israel and Palestine, and a new 10-year security cooperation agreement.

While the two world leaders have had disagreements in the past, Monday’s meeting will focus on making progress on security issues regarding Syria, Iran, and the Palestinian conflict, according to USA Today. Voice of America News states that they will also be discussing the fight against the Islamic State.

“The president looks forward to discussing with the prime minister regional security issues, including implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to peacefully and verifiably prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and countering Tehran’s destabilizing activities in the region, “ White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu has previously described the level of security cooperation that’s been offered by the Obama administration as ‘unprecedented.’ That, I think, is an indication of the president’s personal commitment to the security of Israel and to the unshakeable bond between our two countries,” he noted in September when announcing the visit.

President Obama will also likely encourage Prime Minister Netanyahu to take steps in order to find a peaceful two-state solution between Israel and Palestine as administration officials stated on Thursday that a peace deal between the two countries would not happen during President Obama’s term, according to the Washington Post. U.S. officials told the Washington Post that Obama would like to hear Netanyahu’s ideas of what can be done to achieve peace “in the absence of negotiations.”

Bloomberg reports that while in the United States, Netanyahu will also speak at the conservative American Enterprise Institute. He will also speak at the Center for American Progress, a Washington-based institution with strong ties to liberal Democratic groups. Analysts say that this may be his way of rebuilding a relationship with American Democrats.

“He understands the need to reach out,” said Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. and a member of the Knesset from the Kulanu party, part of Netanyahu’s coalition government. “It’s Israel’s duty to reach out to progressives and liberals, and I don’t think we’ve done a very good job.”

Monday’s meeting comes after Netanyahu’s newly appointed spokesman, Ran Baratz, insulted President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry. In one of Baratz’s Facebook posts, he called Obama anti-semitic and insulted the intelligence of Kerry. Since then, Baratz has issued an official apology. Prime Minister Netanyahu had this to say on the matter:

“I have just read Dr. Ran Baratz’s posts on the Internet, including those relating to the president of the state of Israel, the president of the United States and other public figures in Israel and the United States,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “Those posts are totally unacceptable and in no way reflect my positions or the policies of the government of Israel. Dr. Baratz has apologized and has asked to meet me to clarify the matter following my return to Israel.”

China Still Trying to Hack U.S. Firms, Despite Denials

Despite a recent pact between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Obama to stop cyber war, security services provider, CrowdStrike, has reported that several Chinese state-backed hackers have been carrying out cyberattacks on several U.S. companies, according to NBC.

CrowdStrike claims that they have blocked every attack that they have come across so far and that the hackers seem to be targeting the networks of U.S. technology and pharmaceutical companies.

Just a few weeks ago, Xi visited the United States, promising leaders of American technology companies that the cyber attacks would stop. He also signed an agreement with President Obama that China and the United States would refrain from continued hacks that were aimed at obtaining company trade secrets for commercial advantage.

But two days after the agreement there were two attacks on technology companies, and more hacking attempts have happened since then.

“Seven of the companies are firms in the technology or pharmaceuticals sectors, where the primary benefit of the intrusions seems clearly aligned to facilitate theft of intellectual property and trade secrets, rather than to conduct traditional national-security related intelligence collection which the Cyber agreement does not prohibit,” CrowdStrike wrote in a blog post Monday.

If the cyberattacks continue it could lead to sanctions being placed against Chinese companies according to the agreement made between Xi and Obama.

The U.S. has also been accused of attempting to hack the networks of Chinese companies. Edward Snowden, former NSA contractor, came forward with information on how the U.S. hacked Chinese company, Huawei last year. Government officials continue to state that the reason for the hack was for national security purposes, not economic advantages.

The Chinese government has not made any comments regarding these attacks at this time.

President Obama Changes Plan, Troops to Stay in Afghanistan into 2017

Senior administration officials announced that President Barack Obama has decided to keep 5,500 U.S. troops across Afghanistan into 2017, ending his original plans of bringing home most American forces from the Middle Eastern country before the end of his term.

A senior administration official stated the president’s decision came after an “extensive months-long review” along with regular discussions between U.S. commanders in the field, the national security team, and Afghanistan’s leaders.

The new plan slows the pace of the reduction of American forces in the war-torn country. An anonymous official reported that the current U.S. force 9,800 will be staying in Afghanistan through “most of 2016.” After 2016, the remaining troops will focus on training and advising the Afghan army. The U.S. will also continue to using drones and Special Operations forces to strike al-Qaeda and other forces who may be plotting attacks against the United States.

The decision comes after Taliban forces took control of the northern city of Kunduz approximately two weeks ago, causing a major battle with Afghan forces on the ground and U.S. airstrikes supporting them.

U.S. May Send Warships Near Disputed South China Sea Islands

A U.S. defense official said on Thursday that the U.S. is considering sending warships close to China’s artificial islands in the South China Sea. This would be a signal that the U.S. does not recognize the islands as Chinese territory, despite China’s claims.

The Financial Times newspaper reported that U.S. ships would sail within 12-nautical-mile zones of the disputed territory.

U.S. officials are waiting for the approval of the Obama Administration but said action would take place “within days.”

In May, Chinese officials issued eight warnings to a U.S. surveillance aircraft that had been flying near the Chinese artificial islands.

Chinese officials are aware of the United States’ potential actions and stated that they will continue to communicate with the United States regarding the South China Sea issue.

“I believe the U.S. side is extremely clear about China’s relevant principled stance,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. “We hope the U.S. side can objectively and fairly view the current situation in the South China Sea, and with China, genuinely play a constructive role in safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

During the recent visit to the United States by Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Obama discussed the matter with the Chinese President, stating that he had “significant concerns.” Xi responded by telling President Obama they China intended to militarize the islands. U.S. officials report that China has already begun to create military facilities on the island and are waiting to see how much military hardware will be installed.

U.N Summit, World Leaders Meet to Discuss Global Problems

Today five of the most powerful men in the world will be speaking at this historic meeting at the U.N. United States President Obama, Russia’s President Putin, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

U.N. Secretary- General Ban Ki Moon called for a political solution to the war in Syria that has left more than 200,000 dead and unleashed a torrent of refugees. “The global humanitarian system is not broken; it is broke,” he said. He also urged world leaders to work together in order to banish the “blatant brutality” of extremist groups, such as the Islamic State.

U.S. President Barack Obama said they would work with any country to solve the crisis and war in Syria but that we must also not allow Syrian President Bashar Assad to stay in office. When speaking about the conflict in Ukraine, he said the world cannot stand by while Russia violates Ukraine’s integrity and sovereignty.

The need to protect and nurture the environment was first thing on Chinese President, Xi Jinping’s agenda in his speech today. “We should care for nature and not place ourselves above it. We should reconcile industrial development with nature.” He added that China would never pursue “hegemony, expansion or sphere of influence” in the world. And he pledged $1 billion over the next decade to support U.N. efforts to further global peace and development.

Russian President Putin stressed the importance of combating the ISIS threat in Syria stating that it must be done in cooperation with the Syrian government. “We think it is an enormous mistake to refuse to work with the Syrian government and its armed forces,” Putin said. “No one but the Syrian forces and Kurdish militia are seriously fighting against the Islamic state.” The alternative is to arm terrorists who threaten Europe, Russia and other countries, he said.

The Iranian President Hassan Rouhani praised the Iranian/U.S. agreement on nuclear weapons as an example of global cooperation. On the terroristic threats in the middle east, he stated firmly the terrorist “wave of destruction has gone beyond the Middle East and the Arab world and reached the shores of the United States and Europe,” he added. “Without the U.S. invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and U.S. support for the Zionist regime, the terrorists would not have justification for their actions.”

President Obama and Putin are scheduled for an intense meeting this afternoon at the White House to discuss their differences on Syria and the Ukraine.

U.S. President Obama to Meet with Russian President Putin

In their first face-to-face meeting in nearly a year, President Obama and President Putin will meet in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly next week.

The meeting was at Putin’s request and officials believe the discussion will be over the situations in Ukraine and Syria. Press Secretary Josh Earnest reported to Fox News that Obama plans to warn Putin against boosting support for Bashar Assad and urge Putin to make more of a contribution in the fight against ISIS. President Obama also plans on using the meeting as a way to figure out Russia’s intentions in Ukraine.

“Given the situations in Ukraine and Syria, despite our profound differences with Moscow, the president believes that it would be irresponsible not to test whether we can make progress through high-level engagement with the Russians,” a senior administration official added.

However, Russian officials have stated that President Putin wants to focus the conversation on Syria.

Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters: “Of course, the primary topic will be Syria.” Asked whether Ukraine would be discussed, he said: “Well, if time allows.”

Tensions have been high between the United States and Russia after the U.S. and other Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia last year. The sanctions came after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Russia continues to deny that they are militarily involved in Ukraine.

The request for a meeting comes days after news agencies reported that Russia was building two more military facilities located on Syria’s Mediterranean coast.

Pope Francis Visits Washington D.C., Meets with President Obama

People were lining the streets to get a glimpse of Pope Francis as he made his way to the White House to discuss politics with President Obama and 11,000 ticketed guests at the welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn.

Pope Francis directly addressed the American people on topics such as climate change, Cuba, marriage, and immigration.

The Pope praised President Obama on his work for a cleaner Earth, specifically on the initiative for reducing air pollution. The two leaders also agreed that it was time to reconcile with Cuba.

Pope Francis then went on to discuss the importance of traditional values when it came to the institution of marriage and families. He stated that American Catholics were “concerned that efforts to build a just and wisely ordered society, respect their deepest concerns and their right to religious liberty. That freedom remains one of America’s most precious possessions.”

While the Pope did briefly mention immigration, he did not address the full political issue, leaving many to believe that he may give his opinion on the issue later during his visit.

Pope Francis then addressed one of the issues that is a central theme to his papacy. He discussed how the global economy is making few people very rich, but at the expense of the many.

“I would like all men and women of goodwill in this great nation to support the efforts of the international community to protect the vulnerable in our world and to stimulate integral and inclusive models of development,” Francis said.

When the Pope first entered the White House, President Obama warmly welcomed Pope Francis to the United States.

“In your humility, your embrace of simplicity, in the gentleness of your words and the generosity of your spirit,” Obama told the pope, “we see a living example of Jesus’ teachings, a leader whose moral authority comes not just through words but also through deeds.”

The Pope’s visit to the White House is just the beginning for today’s activities. Pope Francis will also be in two parades, a midday prayer with Catholic bishops at St. Matthew’s Cathedral and the canonization of an 18th century missionary.

President Reportedly Offers Israel Military Aid

In what one media outlet termed an attempt to “soften the blow of the Iran nuclear deal”, sources in the White House say President Obama has offered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an increase in U.S. military aid.

The reports say that President Obama called Netanyahu after the announcement of the Iran deal and said he wanted to hold “intensive discussions” on what more could be done by the U.S. to help bolster Israel’s defenses.  No specifics were being mentioned by the President.

A White House aide suggested in a phone call with Jewish and pro-Israel groups Netanyahu refused to discuss the possibility with the President because he did not want to be seen as blessing the nuclear deal in any way, according to the New York Times.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is scheduled to visit Israel next week in an attempt to reinforce the relationship between the two nations.  However, no negotiations on additional aid are expected to take place during the visit.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Israel would not accept any nuclear deal in a discussion with the British Parliament.

“The question you have to ask yourself is what kind of a deal would have been welcomed in Tel Aviv. The answer of course is that Israel doesn’t want any deal with Iran,” Hammond told lawmakers. “Israel wants a permanent state of standoff, and I don’t believe that’s in the interests of the region. I don’t believe it’s in our interest.”

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu almost immediately responded by saying the British F.M. had no idea what the Israeli government would accept.

“[We would accept a deal that would] compel Iran to choose between a path to the bomb and sanctions relief.   That’s the kind of deal that would be welcomed in Tel Aviv and here in Israel’s capital, Jerusalem,” Netanyahu said.

“The alternative to this bad deal is not war,” Netanyahu went on to say, alluding to remarks by President Barack Obama on Wednesday. “The alternative is a better deal that would roll back Iran’s military nuclear program and tie the easing of restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program to changes in Iran’s behavior.”

President Obama Interview: “More difficult to defend Israel”

During a recent interview with an Israeli television station,  President Obama  said that the international community is not convinced that Israel is serious about a two state solution, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has placed so many conditions to its establishment that it is unrealistic to think it could come into existence in the near future.

“Subsequently his statements have suggested that there is a possibility of a Palestinian state, but it has so many caveats, so many conditions, that it is not realistic to think that those conditions will be met anytime in the near future,” Obama told Channel 2.

Obama also said Netanyahu’s stand would make it more difficult for the U.S. to “defend Israel” around the world.

“If in fact there is no prospect of a peace process, if no one believes there is a peace process, it becomes more difficult to argue with those who are concerned about settlement construction, more difficult for me to say, ‘Be patient, we have a process here.’”

Obama explained that he does not at this point believe there is a likelihood for any kind of framework agreement between the sides to emerge, but that he hopes to work with them to find a way to move from what appears to be a hopeless situation, back to one where there is some hope.

“That is going to be hard work, because right now there is not a lot of confidence in the process.”

The President also addressed the ongoing nuclear negotiations claiming that  he cares very much  about the Israeli people. Obama said that he understands – given the realities of the region and the nature of Israel’s enemies – why Israelis are so concerned about security.

“I care very much about the people of Israel as well, and in my mind it is very much in Israel’s interest to make sure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, and I think that I can demonstrate, not based on any hope, but on facts, evidence and analysis, that the best way to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon is a verifiable tough agreement. A military resolution will not fix it, even if the United States participates, it would temporarily slow down an Iranian nuclear program, but not eliminate it.”

The President then directed his thought to the Israeli leadership, saying that just like he had to do some changes after taking office due to the Iraq war where he felt America “lost our values”, that Israeli leaders need to do the same.

“I respectfully suggest that Israel has to do that same self-reflecting, because if it doesn’t, then there are things that you can lose that don’t just involve rockets.”