Tag Archives: Iraq

Obama on Egypt / The Way Ahead in Iraq / Meet Ursula Burns

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President Obama tells Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that change in Egypt “must begin now” and U.S. congressional leaders are echoing Obama’s call for a peaceful transition to reform in Egypt. The two top American leaders in Iraq outline the way ahead. The White House has launched the Startup America Partnership in order to meet President Obama’s innovation goal. And finally, learn about Xerox’s Ursula Burns, the only black female CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

President Obama

Obama on Egypt
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A peaceful, meaningful and orderly political transition in Egypt “must begin now,” President Obama says. After speaking with President Hosni Mubarak, Obama says, “it is not the role of any other country to determine Egypt’s leaders. Only the Egyptian people can do that.”

Congress Supports Egypt Reform
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U.S. congressional leaders are echoing President Obama’s call for a peaceful transition to democratic, economic and social reforms in Egypt. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry urged the Egyptian government and security forces “to exercise restraint in dealing with protesters and to respect the human rights of its citizens to seek greater participation in their own government.” At right, protesters gather in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt.

The Way Ahead in Iraq
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The two top American leaders in Iraq told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the U.S. transition from a military mission to a civilian mission in Iraq has been progressing on schedule and with the full cooperation of the Iraqi government and security forces.

Startup America
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Last week in his State of the Union address, President Obama emphasized the need for investment and innovation to drive America’s continued economic recovery. Therefore, the White House and several senior cabinet members are joining some of the country’s leading entrepreneurs to launch the Startup America Partnership to help achieve Obama’s goal.

Ursula Burns seatedUrsula Burns’ Path to Success
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Ursula Burns of Xerox Corporation has the distinction of being the only black female to serve as the chief executive of a Fortune 500 company. While Burns, right, singles out her mother as the predominant role model in her personal development, she gives the example of Vernon Jordan — the lawyer, civil rights activist, and former presidential adviser — as a role model in her professional life. To learn more about Burns, watch this video clip of her opening remarks at the YWCA Third Annual Empowering Women Luncheon.

Economic Strides at U.S.-China Summit / Iran Talks / A Drumbeat in Iraq

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Economic progress was all in a day’s work for President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao. The United States hopes upcoming international talks with Iran will be meaningful. The USAID is working toward transparency and efficiency. A new idea for African farmers is a winner for a Uganda man. Finally, meet Tom Teasley, a percussionist on a mission.

One-Day Summit Yields Economic Strides
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President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed to move toward liberalized global trade and investment and to oppose measures that could lead to protectionism. During a one-day summit in Washington, Obama, right, and Hu emphasized “their strong commitment” to engage in talks to conclude the World Trade Organization’s Doha Development Agenda, which would foster greater global trade liberalization.

The Upcoming Talks With Iran
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The United States is hoping for a “meaningful and practical negotiation process” when it joins five other nations in talks with Iran about its nuclear activities. The State Department also said the Obama administration is willing to discuss an updated deal to provide nuclear fuel for Iran’s Tehran Research Reactor.

USAID Announces Reforms
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The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announces new policies aimed at improving efficiency, increase transparency and setting a new standard for the field of development, says USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah.

A Winning Idea for Farmers
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Johnstone Baguma Kumaraki of Uganda won the 2010 Africa Rural Connect online contest for developing ways to increase the capacity of small-scale rural maize farms. Farmers across Africa will benefit from Kumaraki’s idea, which is aimed at providing them with better storage and marketing options.

In Iraq, a Different Drummer
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World-renowned percussionist Tom Teasley frequently tours the United States and other countries as a musician and cultural communicator, most recently visiting Iraq through a program of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. At right, Teasley works on rhythms with young Iraqi percussionists.

Vice President Biden Visits Troops in Iraq

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After making a surprise visit to Afghanistan earlier this week, Vice President Biden rounded out his trip with a stop in Iraq, meeting with leaders of the newly formed Iraqi government and visiting with some of the remaining American troops stationed in the country.  Biden spoke about the work American troops are still doing in Iraq to train Iraqi forces and to help establish a strong foundation for Iraq’s infrastructure.  Continue reading →

10 in 2010: A Year of Notable Obama Moments

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From the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to a surprise trip to Afghanistan, to getting injured during a friendly game of basketball, President Barack Obama has certainly had a busy year.  Here, in order of occurrence, are Obama Today’s picks for 10 notable Obama moments of 2010:

1.       Signs the Affordable Care Act into Law

During the presidential campaign, Obama listed making health care affordable and accessible to all Americans as one of his main priorities.  After a long and hard battle in Congress, and in the court of public opinion, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law on March 23.   Speaking about the momentous occasion, the president said, “Today, after almost a century of trying; today, after over a year of debate; today, after all the votes have been tallied, health insurance reform becomes law in the United States of America.”
Read the original post: http://bit.ly/hBdcSA

2.       Visits the Oil Spill in the Gulf of MexicoThe country and the world watched as millions of gallons of crude oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, the result of a BP oil rig that exploded.  The accident killed 11 men and untold numbers of wildlife.  It has also affected the livelihoods of Americans who live along the Gulf Coast.  President Obama visited the devastation in May and said, “More than anything else, this economic and environmental tragedy – and it’s a tragedy – underscores the urgent need for this nation to develop clean, renewable sources of energy.”
Read the original post: http://bit.ly/g4LVgx

3.       Hosts Young African Leaders ForumIn August President Obama hosted the President’s Forum with Young African Leaders, aimed at giving African youth delegates and U.S. officials the opportunity to discuss the future of the African continent.  During a town hall meeting with the African delegates the president told them, “Today, you represent a different vision, a vision of Africa on the move…An Africa that’s ending old conflicts… an Africa that’s pursuing a broadband revolution that could transform the daily lives of future generations.”
Read the original post: http://bit.ly/eRN8Pa

4.       Declares  End of U.S. Combat Mission in IraqRealizing yet another campaign promise, in September President Obama declared the U.S. would end its seven-and-a-half-year military operation in Iraq and shift to a civilian-led mission to build a partnership with the country in an effort to strengthen its government, industry and people.  Speaking to the American people from the Oval Office the president said, “Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility.  Now, it’s time to turn the page.”
Read the original post: http://bit.ly/hRtCHZ

5.       Michelle Obama Helps Harvest the White House GardenWe can’t talk about President Obama without mentioning the first lady.  Michelle Obama has had a busy year in her own right, working with military families, accompanying her husband during important events, and leading her Let’s Move! initiative to end childhood obesity.  As part of that initiative the Obamas planted a garden on the White House grounds, and Mrs. Obama uses the garden to teach kids about the benefits of eating healthy, fresh foods, most notably vegetables.  In late October she invited elementary school students and world famous chefs to the White House for the First Lady’s Fall 2010 Kitchen Garden Harvest.
Read the original post: http://bit.ly/erDiPg

6.       Delivers a Post-Midterm Election Press ConferenceThe midterm elections were a tough time for President Obama’s party.  The Democrats lost control of the House of Representatives, and lost a handful of seats of the Senate even while managing to retain the majority there.  After the elections the president gave a press conference in which he made note of the defeats and signaled he was willing to work with Republicans to move the country forward. 
Read the original post: http://bit.ly/fiVzZq

7.       Takes a Trip to AsiaDuring a major international trip in November the president visited India, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea.   He met with foreign leaders, students and young people, and attended the G20 in Seoul.  Mrs. Obama took the opportunity to meet with women and girls to discuss empowerment and to play a game of hopscotch. 
Read the original post: http://bit.ly/fz0Txh

8.       Gets Injured During a Basketball GamePresident Obama played basketball in his youth, and has been an ardent fan of the sport ever since.  During one of his regular games with friends and White House staff, a fellow player accidentally struck the president in the mouth, busting his lip and requiring him to get 12 stitches.  Ouch!
Read the original post: http://bit.ly/fMJpMr

9.       Makes a Surprise Visit to AfghanistanIt was a quick, unannounced trip that garnered lots of media attention.  President Obama landed in Afghanistan on December 3 to meet with U.S. troops and U.S. officials on the ground.   He told a gathering of 4,000 troops at Bagram air base, “I know it’s not easy for all you to be away from home, especially during the holiday. We are here to say thank you for everything you do.”
Read the original post: http://bit.ly/fYKj6x

10.   Named Most Admired Man in AmericaFor the third year in a row a USA Today- Gallup poll found that Barack Obama is the man Americans most admire.  Garnering 22 percent of the votes, he beat out such world figures as former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, the Dalai Lama, and Nelson Mandela.  Read the original post: http://bit.ly/eATRI6

A New Government for Iraq / Archives Hosts Newest Americans / Tweeting the Civil War

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President Obama calls the new Iraqi government a major step forward. The United States puts new pressure on those who are undermining democracy in Côte d’Ivoire. Not news: Twenty-five new U.S. citizens are sworn in. News: They are sworn in within sight of the U.S. Constitution. A new U.S. initiative is aimed at fighting world hunger through agriculture. A summit for U.S. and Russian class presidents is held in Russia. Finally, what would Lincoln tweet? 

A New Government for Iraq
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The Council of Representatives swore in a new Iraqi government led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on December 21 in Baghdad after approximately nine months of debate. President Obama, at right with al-Maliki, calls the new government, “a significant moment in Iraq’s history and a major step forward in advancing national unity.”

New U.S. Response to Flawed Election Process in Côte d’Ivoire
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The United States has imposed travel restrictions upon Côte d’Ivoire’s President Laurent Gbagbo, members of his regime and others who are undermining their country’s democratic process. The Obama administration continues to urge Gbagbo to step down in favor of president-elect Alassane Ouattara.

New Citizens and Old Documents
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Twenty-five new citizens of the United States were sworn in squarely in front of the nation’s founding documents — the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The new citizens were joined by friends and family members at a ceremony in the rotunda of the National Archives building.   

Fighting World Hunger
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Fighting world hunger is at the heart of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s new Feed-the-Future global initiative, which was implemented in May to further a pledge made by President Obama of $3.5 billion toward agricultural development. The program helps nations produce more higher-quality food and improve targeting the right food to the very young and to pregnant women, says Dr. Rajiv Shah, the administrator of USAID.

A Gathering of U.S., Russian Student Leaders
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Student body presidents representing U.S. colleges and universities across the United States went to Russia in November to meet their counterparts in what many officials and academics hope will be the first of many such exchanges in coming years. It was the first program under the auspices of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission’s Education, Culture and Sports Working Group.

The American Civil War, Online
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News aggregators, blogs and social media outlets like Twitter are providing a new way to experience the 1861-1865 American Civil War in “real time” as the conflict has its 150-year anniversary. Online resources allow access to richer information sources and invite everyone to be a participant.

Progress in Afghanistan / Lifting Sanctions on Iraq / Carbon Capture Challenges

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The United States is making progress toward its strategic goals in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Sanctions on Iraq are lifted. The United States urges action against child labor. Trade talks between the United States and China are yielding progress. Obama denounces a terrorist attack in Iran. And it’s going to take more than cap-and-trade to reduce greenhouse gases.

Progress in Afghanistan, Pakistan
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The United States is making progress toward its core goal of disrupting, dismantling and defeating violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan, President Obama says. The annual review of administration policy shows more Afghans are reclaiming their communities from the Taliban, says Obama, center at right, with Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Iraq Sanctions Lifted
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In a meeting chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, the U.N. Security Council voted to lift three key international sanctions on Iraq to acknowledge the “significant steps Iraq has taken” toward fulfilling its international obligations.

Eradicating Child Labor
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Governments around the world should take urgent and effective steps to eradicate child labor practices in their countries, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis says.

U.S.-China Make Trade Progress
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The just-concluded 21st session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade makes progress on intellectual property rights, open markets and government procurement restrictions.

Obama Denounces Iran Attack
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President Obama denounces a bombing attack targeting Iranian civilians in Chabahar as “disgraceful and cowardly” and says those who carried out the attack “must be held accountable.”

The Challenge of Carbon Capture
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Cap-and-trade and renewable energy alone likely won’t be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, governments and companies are increasingly looking for new and unconventional solutions to the climate problem. Ten major demonstration projects are underway, along with more than 50 smaller projects, with the goal to bring between five and 10 commercial projects online by 2016.

Biden on Iraq / African Stocks / Modifying Crops

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In an op-ed, Vice President Joe Biden discusses what America must do for Iraq. North Korea issues provocative claims about its nuclear program. Visiting Arab journalists share their impressions of America. Africa is getting increased attention at the stock exchanges. And finally, advances in modified crops could help avert a global food crisis.

Biden on Iraq
In an op-ed by Vice President Joe Biden in The New York Times, he discusses “what we must do for Iraq now.” Biden, right, says, “The United States must also continue to do its part to reinforce Iraq’s progress. That is why we are not disengaging from Iraq — rather, the nature of our engagement is changing from a military to a civilian lead.”

North Korea’s Nuclear Claims
North Korea’s claims that it has centrifuges for the production of enriched uranium reinforce longstanding international concerns over its nuclear activities, U.S. officials say. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says North Korea needs to “be serious about living up to their obligations” to the international community.

Arab Journalists Visit U.S.
150 emerging media leaders from around the world recently traveled to the United States through the State Department’s Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists. The journalists visited grass-roots programs, educational institutions, radio and television stations and newspapers.

African Stocks Heat Up
The NYSE Euronext – the home of the New York Stock Exchange – has seen a threefold increase in the trading of African stocks on its exchanges over the past five years.

The Need for Modified Crops
Advances in genetically modified crops could help avert a food crisis of massive proportions, agriculture experts say. Between now and 2050, food production must increase 70 percent to feed a rapidly growing population. This will require a dramatic overhaul of farming practices along with a new generation of superefficient and “climate-ready” crops. At right, farmers planting rice in the Philippines.

End of U.S. combat mission in Iraq

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Obama in oval office

The United States has ended its seven-and-a-half-year military operation in Iraq and is shifting to a civilian-led mission to build a partnership with the country that will strengthen its government, industry and people, President Obama told the American people in nationally televised address August 31.

“Tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country,” Obama said. Some U.S. forces will remain to train Iraqi security officials.

“Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility,” Obama said. “Now, it’s time to turn the page.”

What do you think of the president’s remarks?

Salute the troops

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Hello again, it’s me, Michelle. Ned and Kirsten have wrapped up their summer internships at America.gov and are headed back to their universities. Didn’t they do a great job blogging about Obama?

Back when Barack Obama was running for president, he said he would withdraw combat troops from Iraq. And now, that is becoming a reality. On August 31, the United States’ combat mission in Iraq will come to an end.

“At this key transition point, it is important to show our support to the troops and their families,” the White House says on its website. How to show your support? The White House provides tips on how to craft a message to American soldiers via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Flickr.

President Obama is expected to mark the August 31 end of combat operations with a televised speech to the American people.

Obama stays true to pledge to end war in Iraq

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Veterans listen as Obama speaks about Iraq and Afghanistan at the Disabled American Veterans convention Aug. 2.

Veterans listen as Obama speaks about Iraq and Afghanistan at the Disabled American Veterans convention Aug. 2.

Last week, President Obama announced that he will fulfill his campaign pledge to end the war in Iraq by the end of the month. Today, he’s meeting with his national security team to discuss U.S. actions in the country, according to the White House schedule.

By the end of August, the U.S. military strategy in Iraq will shift from combat operations to supporting and training Iraqi security forces, Obama said in his address at the Disabled Americans Veterans convention in Georgia last Monday.

“By the end of this month, we’ll have brought more than 90,000 of our troops home from Iraq since I took office—more than 90,000 have come home,” he said. “Our commitment in Iraq is changing—from a military effort led by our troops to a civilian effort led by our diplomats.”

What do you think of Obama’s decision?