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18 November 2008
Global Forum Discusses Messages for President-elect Barack Obama
Ask America webchat transcript, November 13
Anthony Cordesman responded to questions from a November 13 Co.Nx Global Forum that collected issues, questions and concerns for President-elect Barack Obama.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Ask America Webchat Transcript
Co.Nx Global Forum: Your Message for President-elect Barack Obama
Guest: Anthony Cordesman
Date: November 13, 2008
Time: 8 a.m. EST (1300 GMT)
Webchat Moderator: Anthony Cordesman answers questions from the November 13 Co.Nx Global Forum.
Anthony Cordesman: The U.S. Department of State has asked me to address some of your questions and comments. I cannot speak for the President elect or U.S. officials, but the following responses may be helpful:
Question [Naga]: Hello, cud u tell us the areas that would Mr. Obama look into, as the top priority, once he assumes the office?
Question [Naga]: which are the areas would Mr. Obama look into as the top priority once he assumes the office?
Question [Iyer.Shrinand]: Sir. Please Tell us...What according to the Mr. President is or will be the most important thing to do in his term?
Question [Naimat Ullah Khan] [LC Karachi]: Dear President Elect, First of all, accept our congratulations on your success in Presidential Elections for the change you believed in. The American Nation endorsed your intentions for a New America, so as the rest of the world expects. What would be your top priorities as you join the office?
Comment {Rupesh Bhandari]: In the wake of whooping number of issues Mr. OBAMA seems to be facing, he looks more to be an Over Burdened American Administrator.
Question [Aditya Shivkumar]: First at the outset, let me congratulate Senator Barack Obama on his victory last week. A Change, yes we can has catapulted him to the international scene. Can I take opportunity in asking him, will the world be a better place to live in? What are his views on the economical downturn that affects the global world? His thoughts on Israel-Palestine and his views on Kashmir? There is a question that everyone is asking, Will Obama change the world? Once again, I wish Senator Barack Obama the very best in his endeavors.
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The new President will take office on January 20th in the middle to two wars – Iraq and the Afghan-Pakistan conflict, and an ongoing struggle with Al Qa’ida and terrorism. He will face the challenge of dealing with the nuclear threat posed b y North Korean and Iran. He will have to try to revitalize the Israel-Palestinian peace process in spite of growing tensions between and within Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. He will be seeking to restore America’s alliances and reputation throughout the world, and to redefine and improve US relations with Russia and China.
His agenda will be driven by an economic crisis that is both domestic and global, and which will mean major changes to the US economy and the international financial system. He must also define his program in reshaping the federal budget, not only in terms of mixing fiscal restraint with efforts to stimulate the economy, but finding a new balance between discretionary spending like defense and entitlement programs like Medicare and social security.
In short, the new President will not have one or a few priorities, and will not have the ability to choose between key tasks or deal with them individually over time. He will have to react to ongoing crises and issues and have to try to take the initiative in shaping the outcome on a pragmatic and empirical basis. Moreover, he will have to be sensitive to the fact that powerful as American may be, almost all of these issues require new forms of partnership in dealing with the global economy and many require partnership in dealing with foreign policy and international security issues.
The new President and Administration will have to focus on immediate needs and key issues. They must address many problems at the same time, but they cannot do everything at once. They also must deal with facts on the ground and not broad theoretical policy goals or the generalities often made during the campaign. Much will depend on key cabinet officials and appointments, and their teams. The new President must delegate, and this includes policy and actions towards most detailed regional issues.
As a result, there are many questions about US policy that cannot be answered now, and where any effort to turn campaign rhetoric into detailed policies for the future is little more than empty speculation, Observers outside the US need to realize this. They need to be patient to see how the new Administration emerges and give it time to be specific. They also need to understand that it may well be the spring or summer of next year before the President elect can begin to address many of the details of his foreign and national security policies.
Question [Harshini]: and also what are the measures that will be taken to improve the market?
Question [Kavya]: How is Obama planning to handle the financial crisis that has affected almost all counties in various fields like IT industry, Banking industry etc.
Question [Josephs]: How will new administration handle economy?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: All excellent questions, and ones that have already been made a key priority for one of the President elect’s transition teams. It is clear that President Obama is making the global economic crisis a top priority, but when it comes down to the details of where he and the world will be when he takes office, it simply is to early to speculate/ what is clear is that President elect Obama has made it clear that he will be an active President and one committed to finding pragmatic solutions rather than ones base on economic theory or ideology.
Question [a.dhivya 2]: i would like to know Mr. Obama's plan to eradicate the ever growing terrorism of the world...... so much of bomb blasts, a number of violences all over the world .. so being a president of a powerful country luke u.s i want to know his plans !! we long for a peaceful heaven in earth!!
Question [Naimat Ullah Khan] [LC Karachi]: It has been almost a decade in War on terrorism & turning this to a crusade produced anxiety in different regions of the world, what would be your initial steps to gain something out from this inherited war?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The President elect has made it clear that he will continue the fight against terrorism and that he regards this as one of America’s highest national security priorities. He had made it clear that he regards Al Qa’ida as a key threat and will try to seek out and destroy its leadership. He also has stressed the need to work more closely with other powers in the process, to emphasize international cooperation, and to pay close attention to the risk that terrorists and non-state actors could acquire weapons of mass destruction.
It is important to understand, however, that new President’s to not come to office with all of their plans in place and ready to take instant action. As is the case with many of the questions I’m addressing today, people outside the US need to understand that President elect Obama and his transition team are now being briefed on the most closely held US intelligence for the first time, as well as access to the most sensitive details of US foreign policy, military operations and war plans The President will need several months before he has his new team in place, can assess all of the problems he must address, can lay out detailed plans for change, and begin to seek approval for any changes in the law and budgets from Congress.
The details of the Obama approach to terrorism, like those of almost all foreign policy and national security decisions, will only emerge in the course of the spring of 2009. The broad statements made during the campaign can only hint at many of these details, and people inside and outside the US need to be very careful about taking premature media reports about the transition, or statements by anyone other than the President elect about the details of his policies, too seriously.
Comment [Pandu Sastrowardoyo]: Obama, please look at things also from a Muslim point of view—
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The President elect has made it clear that he feels US policy must be more sensitive to the concerns and values of other nations, peoples, and cultures.
Question [Naimat Ullah Khan] [LC Karachi]: As you have been lived through a multi-faith culture & observed people very closely, how do you see the clash of civilizations? Does it really exist? Or are these only illusions?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The President elect has stressed the need to work with other faiths and cultures, and to see the struggle against terrorism as a struggle against extremists and actual terrorist where the US must cooperate with other nations and leaders of other cultures and faiths.
Question [Naimat Ullah Khan] [LC Karachi]: People to people connections plays an important role to promote diversity, tolerance etc, that’s why interfaith movements & small working groups around the world are vital, would you be promoting them
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The President elect and many of his senior advisors have strongly advocated interfaith dialog and understanding both to improve international relations and eliminate a key source of terrorism and extremist violence.
Question [Naga]: Good Day Mark & Tim, I am not sure whether this question was asked some1 before, jus curious to know whats his plans towards the visa and other immigration formalities for the people, especially from India and China.
Question [Rohan]: What would you do for the Indian students who are born with a dream of studying in US?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The President elect has stressed the need to expand educational and cultural exchange programs, but has not addressed specific steps to change US immigration policies and procedures. Some of his advisors seem supportive of the kind of reforms that Senator Kennedy and Senator McCain attempted to legislate last year, but the President elect has not yet made a formal commitment to any specific legislation. I believe you can expect a new focus on make the process more efficient, and reducing processing delays, but it simply is too early to say what the changes will be.
Comment [Duncan Henry Sisya]: My suggestion to the new administration is that The Present-Elect should select hard working team who are corrupt -free and who have the spirit of love towards the people.
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: President elect Obama’s selection of people for his transition team in clued a wide range of people with proven performance, a wide range of views, and who have shown their honesty and capability in the past. He has also pledge a more open and transparent process of government.
Question [S.SHAKTHIVANI]: congragilations for your succes. What is your future plan to India.
Question [chan]: Future plans with India?
Question [Kavya]: How is Obama planning to handle the Financial crisis that ihas affected almost all counties in various fields like IT industry, Banking industry etc. How will Indo-US relation be? Can India have any prospects in all areas?
Question [dr. suriyaprabha]: barack obama winning is a begining of change the world over-india stands for peaceful co-existence amongst all nations--your stance towards global peace dear president
Question [rohan]: what will you do for the betterment of Indo-US relationship????
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: President elect Obama has made it clear that her sees India as one of the world’s most important emerging powers, a key democracy, and an important ally. When you talk about plans, however, it will probably be the late winter or early spring before the details of the new President’s plans are clear. The two possible exceptions are the need to include India in a regional approach to the conflict in Afghanistan, and the need to work with India, China, and other key developing states finding solutions to the international financial crisis. The President elect’s transition team is now evaluating a range of options for urgent action in both these cases.
Question [Iyer. Shrinand]: Mark Pls tell us how the NUKE-deal with india interests the president.
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The President elect has made it clear that he sees good relations with India, and finding ways to reduce US and global dependence on energy exports, as a key US foreign policy priority, and that he sees nuclear safety and fighting proliferation as key foreign policy activities as well.
Answer [Rupesh Bhandari]: Thanks Mark. I understand that the American president has to run the world, apart from America only, and I am not that demanding to expect or accept an answer from Mr. Obama only. What I intend to convey is that advisors or other functionaries are trained to operate in a mechanical manner. Hence, they ward off the issues, and sometimes sentiments, in the process. Mr. Obama will really have to find some ingenious way to set up surrogates who can work exactly as per his feelings and will.
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: If you look at the list of names emerging on the President elect’s transition team, you will see many that are people with a proven record on both seeking changes and implementing it. This is an intensely pragmatic President elect. He is choosing people who both know how to work within the system and change it.
Question [Adjogan, Laurent]: My name is Laurent from Benin, West-Africa. What will be the new administration’s policy on Africa, in general, and on Benin in particular? Thanks.
Question [Duncan Henry Sisya]: What do you think about the future of Africa?
Question [smarttoh]: US President elect Barck Obama has his work cut out for him, but his connection to Africa can not be overlooked. Africa at the moment is battling alot of issues and one wonders just what kind of policy formulation will he adapt to assist the continent given his connection with Africa?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The President elect has made aid to Africa a key priority. We are months away, however, from learning the details of the polices he and his new team will implement in dealing with Africa in general, or Benin in particular.
Question [Elias Khan]: Will the wars end to make to world to live?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The new President elect has already made it clear he intends to act as quickly as possible to end the war in Iraq. He does, however, face a deteriorating military situation in Afghanistan and a long struggle with terrorism. He is committed to trying to reduce proliferation and the remaining global nuclear threat, but also faces challenges in dealing with Russia and China over arms control, and in limiting emerging nuclear threats in Iran and North Korea. Finally, there are more than 25 ongoing serious civil conflicts, border struggles, and other wars in the world today and this is roughly the average number of such conflicts that have been going on ever since the end of World War II.
A US President can play a major role in limiting the use of violence and the risk of war. He cannot reshape the entire word or put an end to history.
Question [Bienvenu Akodigna]: I am thinking of a field in which it would be interesting to see the new President focus on: supporting higher education in West Africa because it is really the time to build a qualified elite for the administration, universities and corporations. This can be done through exchange programs, but a vigorous training program for young professionals.
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The President elect, and a number of members of his transition team have shown broad interest in such educational programs in the past. We are months away from knowing, however, whether they will support this particular approach, and it would require Congressional action to und and support.
Question [Rupesh Bhandari]: Mr. Abdul Kalam, the erstwhile president of India was a real revolutionary as far as technology was concerned. He himself monitored, and replied to, most of the mails that he received. By doing this he managed not only to resolve important issues of the people, but also to add a personal touch to his communication. No wonder why he turned out to be the most popular president in the annals of Indian history. I wish Mr. Obama could take a cue. Would only add to his popularity and charisma.
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: Having worked in top level offices in the US government, I would caution you that no top US official could deal with tens of thousands of emails a day, and that devoting staff time to this would seriously interfere with making the government function.
There are, however, many other ways the new President can reach out the determine global public opinion, obtain views and suggestions from outside and inside the US, and respond. The US government monitors the foreign press and public opinion surveys. It has a wide range of web sites where citizens and foreigners can quickly obtain summaries of US policies and submit their own views, including a site at the White House. Americans and foreigners also can write or email key members of the Congress and each Department of Government.
Question [V.DOUGLAS KIRPA RAJA]: sir, r u changing the out look on iran and iraq.
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The President elect is committed to withdrawal from Iraq as soon as conditions permit, but has also shown an interest in helping Iraq in terms of aid, governance, and political accommodation. He has expressed a willingness for dialog and relations with Iran, but seems Iran’s nuclear programs and many of its other actions as a continuing threat. There are no quick and easy ways for him to suddenly change US policy, but he is committed to ending the war in Iraq, and to improving relations with Iran if Iran makes this possible.
Question [Farouk Ben-Ammar]: Are there any plans to promote "real" democracy in Africa?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The President elect has stated that the US needs to focus more on Africa, and has made his commitment to democracy very clear. The US has long promoted “real” democracy in Africa, however, and the issue is not so much US policy as the choices each African state and their people make in terms of politics and governance.
Question [Arjun]: hi michelle who has he chosen as his new treasury secretary
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: He has not made this decision yet, but probably will make an announcement by mid-December.
Question [Abdul]: How will you address the devastations/caos of some countries like Somalia and the notion that USA foriegn policy is mainly to blame??
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: Dealing with the world’s varied wars and internal crisis will have to be done on a case by case basis, but it seems totally unrealistic to blame the US for events in Somalia. The US has made repeated efforts to end a Somali civil war, working with the UN and other states. Somalis must take responsibility for their own actions and destiny.
Question [Pandu Sastrowardoyo]: i understand that you are going to give Iran sanctions if they refuse to dismantle their nuclears
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The President elect has made it clear that he will seek dialog with Iran if Iran show it is willing to have a meaningful dialog. If it does not – and its recent statements are not reassuring – President Obama has made it clear that he sees Iran’s search for nuclear weapons as a serious threat. He has not yet take a formal position, however, on sanctions and will almost certainly consult with he partners in the “Six” –especially in Europe, China, and Russia – before taking new action.
Question [V.DOUGLAS KIRPA RAJA]: sir, whats ur oinion on pakistan?
Question [aimat Ullah Khan] [ LC Karachi]: During your campaign, a few very aggressive statements came out against Pakistan, which created a lot of concerns on future US policy on Pakistan? How do you see Pak-US relationship as a sovereign country and a leading alley in War on Terrorism?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: What the President elect has said is that Pakistan cannot let the FATA and Baluchi regions along the Afghan border become a sanctuary for the Taliban and its associated movements, or become one for Al Qa’ida and Bin Laden without the US reacting. A nation must enforce its sovereignty over such movements to claim sovereign rights.
This does not, however, in any way preclude much closer cooperation between the US and Pakistan in helping Pakistan deal with such threats – which are as serious a threat to Pakistan as to Afghanistan. The new President supports aid to Pakistan in checking such threats, including targeted military and economic aid. It seeks cooperation with the new Pakistani government and will support Pakistani forces when and if, they take on all of the missions required.
Question [Marek]: What impact will problems in U.S. have on Middle East?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The economic crisis m ay affect the time senior US officials can devote to actually trying to help negotiate an Arab-Israeli peace, and may put limits on US foreign aid. The challenges in the region are so serious, however, that it is doubtful that the US will delay in trying to take action or fail to provide aid where this is vital to peace and stability.
Question [valsa balaji]: Mark, I was in the US for 6 months last year on a Fulbright Fellowship and I was happy with the hospilatily I received but a wee bit disappointed to learn that an American hardly knows the rest of the world or even the surrounding states in his country. Learning I feel takes place through travel and interaction with people. Will Mr Obama encorage his citizens to see other countries?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The number of Americans traveling overseas has steadily increased for decades. These are personal decisions, however, simply increasing the flow of tourists does not always improve understanding. Focused programs like the Fulbright have far more impact, but cannot be expanded to cover every American or bring every American an understanding of the entire world.
Comment [ALI EID: Cairo IRC]: We expect the UNITED STATES FOREIGH POLICEY UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP COORDINATE and Coincide with the United Nations
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: Understand that the UN is a group of countries, not an international government. Its agencies often differ with each other and focus narrowly on their own concerns and priorities. The new Administration is likely to be more sensitive to the views of international bodies and other countries, but working within the UNM framework does not literally mean coordinating and coincide with all UN resolutions or the varied and often conflicting needs of UN organizations.
Comment [ALI EID: Cairo IRC;ALI EID]: We the people of the Middle east received your victory in the American election with great joy and warming feeling ;So We hope the Middle East Peace process takes Top priority on your agenda
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The President elect has made it clear that there will be no pause in US efforts to find such a peace and it will have high priority. The world is far too complex and unstable for one issue can be the top priority.
Question [jayavel]: do you support the theory that all the legal system of civilized nations should be integreated to promote a binding international legal framework where judicial instruments of one nation is honoured every where in the world?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The new Administration will show proper respect for international law, but it is extremely doubtful that it will feel there is any practical chance of creating uniform legal systems throughout the world that properly respect human rights or the need for national sovereignty -- given the deep divisions between nations and the number of regimes that show no real respect for the rule of law and human rights and the number of nations involved in civil conflict.
Question [Viswanathan]: Respected Sir, My name is viswanathan. I am at India. My hearty congratulations for you. I would like to know from you about your plans on conservation of nature. What steps you will take for America to participate with other world countries in reducing global warming?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: These are deep concerns for the new President elect and many of his senior advisors, but may have to be addressed after focusing on the international financial crisis.
Question [drvsudha]: My first qn. is WHAT WILL BE YOUR APPROACH IN GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES.
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The new Administration will continue existing US action in these areas, but they too may have to be addressed after the international financial crisis.
Question [Herbert]: What would Obama's reaction be to a social philosophy that produces high economic growth but at the cost of minorities?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The US has never seen the expansion of global trade as producing high economic growth at the expense of minorities. It has always seen global economic growth as the best way of providing real world increases in the wealth and living standards of poorer states and minorities, and it has encourage equitable economic development within countries and regions ever since the end of World War II.
President elect Obama and his advisors have made it clear that they share these views, and that their efforts to restructure the global economic system in the face of the present crisis will take account of the needs of all the peoples of the world.
Question [Duncan Henry Sisya]: Will you make any association with the Middle East & Arab Countries? Or else you will leave them independently?
Answer [Anthony Cordesman]: The US has long talked to leaders in the Arab League and OIS, but the MENA states are sovereign countries, and the US will continue to deal with them on that basis.
Webchat Moderator: (Guests are chosen for their expertise. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of State.)
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