SOTU Analysis: Affirming a strong U.S. foreign policy

In this series of blog posts, Senator Coons’ legislative staff shares their analysis of the President’s State of the Union address with Delawareans.

In his State of the Union Address, President Obama laid out clear foreign policy goals to promote security, stability, and democracy.   As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Coons shares these goals and is working to protect America’s interests abroad and defend against global security threats. 

Chris shares the President’s view that a strong foreign policy rooted in American values must aim to promote democracy and freedom, protect human rights, defend U.S. interests abroad, and increase U.S. investment and trade globally. 

Regarding security, President Obama noted that “different al Qaeda affiliates and extremist groups have emerged – from the Arabian Peninsula to Africa.  The threat these groups pose is evolving.  But to meet this threat, we don’t need to send tens of thousands of our sons and daughters abroad, or occupy other nations.  Instead, we will need to help countries like Yemen, Libya, and Somalia provide for their own security, and help allies who take the fight to terrorists, as we have in Mali.  And, where necessary, through a range of capabilities, we will continue to take direct action against those terrorists who pose the gravest threat to Americans.”

As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations African Affairs Subcommittee, Chris has worked to highlight these evolving security threats, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.  Regarding Mali in particular, he has called for a strong and comprehensive U.S. policy to address the al Qaeda takeover of Northern Mali, which has become the largest territory controlled by extremists in the world.  He has also welcomed the strong multilateral, international response to the situation in Mali at the United Nations while offering continued U.S. support for ongoing French-led military operations aimed to deprive al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb of a safe haven in Northern Mali.

Regarding democracy, the President said that “in defense of freedom, we’ll remain the anchor of strong alliances from the Americas to Africa; from Europe to Asia. In the Middle East, we will stand with citizens as they demand their universal rights, and support stable transitions to democracy. We know the process will be messy, and we cannot presume to dictate the course of change in countries like Egypt, but we can -- and will -- insist on respect for the fundamental rights of all people. We’ll keep the pressure on a Syrian regime that has murdered its own people, and support opposition leaders that respect the rights of every Syrian. And we will stand steadfast with Israel in pursuit of security and a lasting peace.”

Chris is one of the strongest voices in the Senate advocating for democratic reform and good governance, especially in Africa.  He has chaired hearings on this critical subject with specific attention to the Democratic Republic of Congo.  He has also voiced his pressing concern about ongoing violence and violations of human rights in Syria, where he has urged the U.S. to take a stronger role in providing humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, refugees, and responsible leaders of the Syrian opposition.  He also recently gave a speech on the Senate floor demonstrating his strong support for the Syrian people, urging the Obama administration to consider military options aimed at degrading Assad’s air force. 

Regarding Israel, Chris has been a steadfast supporter of the ironclad relationship between the United States and Israel and has urged international leaders to support a mutually agreed-upon and negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as opposed to unilateral Palestinian action at the United Nations.

Opportunity: Africa, as told through Twitter

Video: Sen. Coons questions John Kerry during Senate Foreign Relations nominations hearing

Senator Chris Coons questioned Senator John Kerry, nominee to be U.S. Secretary of State, at a Senate Foreign Relations nominations hearing on Thursday. Senator Coons, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, specifically asked what Senator Kerry would do to stem the influence China has on Africa’s economy, and prevent the exploitation of Africa’s resources and wildlife for illegal trade. Senator Coons recently visited several Middle Eastern countries with a bipartisan group of senators, during which time he visited a refugee camp in Syria. Senator Coons questioned Senator Kerry how he, as Secretary of State, would support the opposition forces in Syria now that the American government has recognized them.   

What We’re Reading: Ten foreign policy problems Obama could solve now

Foreign Policy Magazine published an article in its January/February edition entitled, “10 Problems Obama Could Solve Right Now.” The piece features recommendations from ten foreign policy thought leaders on challenges they believe President Obama could solve in his second term.

One of the ten problems that could be addressed, according to John Prendergast, author of Unlikely Brothers and co-founder of the Enough Project and the Satellite Sentinel Project, is the capture of Joseph Kony and leaders of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) who have committed crimes against humanity in Central Africa.

Here are three things Obama and his team can do to really bring Kony to justice:

First, Obama needs to strengthen the existing effort to weaken the LRA. This will require more African forces where the LRA is actually operating, backed by expanded human intelligence networks through improved programs to support defectors and more international support for affected communities.

Second, Obama should push for a high-level diplomatic initiative to be launched by the AU and the United Nations to gain access to the areas of the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan that are currently LRA safe havens. If the regime in Khartoum continues to deny access, stronger measures -- such as U.N. targeted sanctions, an investigation into those providing sanctuary to Kony, and cross-border operations inside Sudan under the international "responsibility to protect" doctrine -- should be considered.

Third, Obama should help the AU build an elite special-operations unit -- trained, equipped, and working in close cooperation with U.S. military advisors -- to directly target Kony and his top deputies. Although some rebel groups continue operating after their leader is removed from the battlefield, the LRA is so tied to Kony's personality and leadership that his demise or capture would most likely put an end to the group's activities.

Senator Coons has been a leader in the Senate in calling for Joseph Kony and members of the LRA to be brought to justice. In August, the Senate passed a resolution Chris introduced which condemns the crimes committed by the LRA.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to stop Joseph Kony and the LRA

Click here to read the full article on Foreign Policy’s website.

President Obama signs Kerry-Coons bill to bring war criminals to justice

Senator Coons on Tuesday praised President Obama for signing into law legislation he co-sponsored to enhance the ability of the U.S. Government bring war criminals to justice. The bill would allow the United States to offer monetary rewards for information that leads to the arrest or conviction of foreign nationals accused by international criminal tribunals of atrocity-related crimes.

The Department of State Rewards Program Update and Technical Corrections Act of 2012, which was written by Senator John Kerry, would help bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against humanity including Joseph Kony and other leaders of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

“All of these individuals face charges before international criminal tribunals for horrific acts, including attacks on civilians, murder, the recruitment and use of child soldiers and rape,” the White House said in a statement issued on Tuesday. “We have made unmistakably clear that the United States is committed to seeing war criminals and other perpetrators of atrocities held accountable for their crimes, and today’s legislation can help us achieve that goal.”

As chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, Chris has been an outspoken advocate for capturing Joseph Kony and LRA leaders.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to stop the LRA.

Washington Post joins Senator Coons' call for a better plan on al Qaeda takeover of northern Mali

In an editioral appearing in Monday's editions, The Washington Post joined Senator Coons' call for a better plan on al Qaeda's takeover of northern Mali. Senator Coons chaired a hearing on the situation there last week, noting that the space now controlled by al Qaeda is roughly the size of Texas and is the largest terrorist-controlled area in the world.

ACCORDING TO the Obama administration, northern Mali “has become a safe haven for extremist and terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and affiliates” — the same forces linked to the deadly Sept. 11 assault on the U.S. mission in Libya. Northern Mali, says Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on Africa, has become “the largest territory controlled by Islamic extremists in the world.” A Taliban-style rule of stonings and amputations has been imposed, and a dire emergency is unfolding: 400,000 civilians have fled their homes, and, the United Nations says, 600,000 children under the age of 5 are threatened by severe malnutrition.

Not to worry. U.N. officials say that the terrorists will be subdued by a military intervention — but not before the fall of 2013.

...

The Obama administration, for its part, is insisting that military action must be preceded by a multi-step political process, including democratic elections for a new Malian government and negotiations with groups in northern Mali that are not part of al-Qaeda. One, Ansar Dine, has imposed fundamentalist rule on Timbuktu and destroyed many of its priceless religious and cultural monuments, but the theory is that it can be detached from the transnational terrorists.

Negotiations, which began this month, are certainly worth a try. But it’s also worth bearing in mind what is happening while this process drags on. As a Malian minister told the Security Council, “there are floggings, amputation of limbs, summary executions, children forced to become soldiers, rapes, stoning, looting and the destruction of cultural and historical sites.” Perhaps the diplomats in Turtle Bay can conclude it’s prudent to allow such atrocities to continue for another 10 or 12 months. But morality as well as common sense suggests that intervention must come sooner.

Click here to read the Post's full editorial.

Video: Senator Coons talks Susan Rice and DRC on MSNBC

Senator Coons talked with MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell on Thursday about the possible nomination of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice as Secretary of State, and about the developing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Senator Coons is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs.

You can watch the interview below:

Senators Coons announces bipartisan caucus on combating malaria and neglected tropical diseases

Senator Coons and Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) announced on Friday the expansion of the Senate Malaria Working Group, which they co-chair, to become a Congressional caucus that will focus on efforts to stem the global tide of 17 neglected tropical diseases including malaria.

Chris formally announced the Senate Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at a reception hosted by the United States Agency for International Development on Wednesday evening.

“Malaria and other neglected tropical diseases continue to wreak havoc on the lives and economies of numerous countries around the world,” Chris said. “Malaria and the seven most common neglected tropical diseases cause nearly two million deaths globally each year. I am proud to join Senator Wicker in underscoring our commitment for this issue and continuing to support U.S. efforts to prevent the spread of all tropical diseases.”

Malaria, an infectious blood disease spread by mosquitoes, is most prevalent in the developing world, with 90 percent of deaths occurring in Africa.  The majority of those killed are pregnant women and children under five years old.  The 17 neglected tropical diseases impact more than one billion people, including 500 million children in the world’s poorest countries.
 

Joseph Kony

I wanted to share some good news. Thanks to your support, our resolution condemning Joseph Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army for their crimes against humanity passed the Senate unanimously earlier this month.

In passing our resolution, which was cosponsored by 45 senators and hundreds of citizen cosponsors from across the country, the Senate took a stand in support of ongoing international efforts to remove Kony and his top commanders from the battlefield.

Our resolution, which I drafted with Republican Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, called for the U.S. to continue to enhance its mobility, intelligence and logistical support of regional forces protecting civilians and pursuing the LRA. Kony and the LRA have terrorized Uganda and its neighbors in central Africa for more than two decades, tearing families apart and destroying communities. Joseph Kony represents the worst of mankind, and he and his commanders must be held accountable for their war crimes.

The Senate has taken an important step in passing this resolution and saying with one voice that the United States of America will not stand by silently in the face of mass atrocities.

Thank you so much for your support and commitment.

Senator Coons’ resolution condemning crimes of Joseph Kony passed by Senate

On Thursday, the full Senate unanimously adopted a resolution sponsored by Senator Coons, the chair of the Subcommittee on African Affairs, condemning the crimes against humanity committed by Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army.

“Joseph Kony and the LRA have terrorized Uganda and its neighbors in central Africa for more than two decades,” Chris said. “I applaud my colleagues for unanimously passing this bipartisan resolution condemning the crimes committed by the LRA and supporting ongoing regional efforts to bring Kony and top LRA commanders to justice once and for all.”

Chris’ resolution, Senate Resolution 402, supports the ongoing international efforts to remove Kony from the battlefield and calls for the U.S. to continue to enhance its mobility, intelligence and logistical support of regional forces protecting civilians and pursuing the LRA.

This bipartisan resolution, which Chris sponsored with Sen.  Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), was co-sponsored by 45 members of the Senate – nearly half the body. Following introduction, hundreds of Americans signed on as “citizen cosponsors” to show their support for efforts to stop Joseph Kony.

In April of this year, Chris chaired an African Affairs Subcommittee hearing on U.S. policy to counter the LRA. In June, he personally visited Uganda, where he thanked President Museveni for the efforts of the Ugandan military to root out the LRA and for the strong partnership between the U.S. and the Ugandan people. He also visited the northern Uganda community of Gulu, where the United States is supporting efforts to rebuild communities affected by the LRA.