“One of the most effective ways to meet this goal is to make certain that every single young woman has the ability to go to school, and to receive a quality education in a safe environment. And this is vital not only to prepare a young woman for the workplace, obviously, but for much more than that.” Secretary of State John Kerry
“VOA will present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively, and will also present responsible discussion and opinion on these policies.” — VOA Charter
The President Is Going to Cuba: Here’s Why
Posted February 26th, 2016 at 4:24 pm (UTC-5)
Comments are closed
In March, Barack Obama will be the first American president since Calvin Coolidge in 1928 to visit Cuba
Testing ‘Russian Seriousness’ in Syria
Posted February 17th, 2016 at 2:46 pm (UTC-5)
Comments are closed
On Friday, a cessation of hostilities brokered by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry last week in Munich is set to go into effect. Part of the agreement includes the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid to besieged areas. That part of the deal has begun. The other part? Not so much.Kerry explained the Obama administration’s position on Syria earlier this month in an interview with The Washington Post: “What we’re doing is testing [Russian and Iranian] seriousness,” he said. “And if they’re not serious, then there has to be consideration of a Plan B…. You can’t just sit there.” Russia’s intentions are of particular concern to the United States. Backed by the Russian military, the government has nearly surrounded Aleppo, the rebels’ most important base. The campaign has been bloody, forcing a new wave of Syrians to flee. With no appetite to send in U.S.ground troops, calls for a safe zone in Syria are getting louder. So far, the U.S. has said no. But with so few options left – and fears of Putin’s growing influence – Kerry’s hint may be a revised U.S. policy
Kerry: Journalism ‘Is Not A Crime’
Posted February 1st, 2016 at 2:11 pm (UTC-5)
Comments are closed
“We see it in what happens in the absence of knowledge and the power that it gives to dictators, to demagogues, to tyrants. Silence allows crime and corruption to rot whole countries.” Secretary of State John Kerry
Shifting Alliances
Posted January 19th, 2016 at 4:04 pm (UTC-5)
Comments are closed
One of the many ripple effects of the U.S.-Iran prisoner swap and Tehran’s verified compliance with the historic nuclear accord is a new world order in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia – a long-time rival of Tehan – is nervous and talking tough, as the lifting of costly Western sanctions is set to propel Iran’s economic might. Not long before the latest developments, Saudi Arabia had already stoked tensions by beheading the prominent Shia cleric Sheik Nimr al-Nimr. That provoked a violent attack on the Saudi mission in Iran, which in turn, gave the House of Saud a reason to sever diplomatic ties. Meanwhile, both President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry hailed the use of diplomacy to win the release of five Americans in a prisoner swap with Iran, simultaneously praising Tehtan for pausing its nuclear program. Where does all this leave the traditional, and sometimes co-dependent, U.S.-Saudi relationship? Making friends with Iran was a big gamble. It appears the Obama administration believes the benefits outweigh the costs.
Obama: ‘Strong American Diplomacy’ Pays Off
Posted January 17th, 2016 at 2:58 pm (UTC-5)
Comments are closed
“This is a good day.” So began President Barack Obama’s televised statement on the release of Americans held in Iran following delicate negotiations between the United States and Iran on a prisoner swap apparently tied indirectly to last year’s historic nuclear pact to scale back Iran’s nuclear weapons program. Five Americans, including a Washington Post reporter, were freed in exchange for seven Iranians. The prisoner trade was swiftly condemned by Republican presidential hopefuls and some pundits. The stunning developments included sanction relief for Iran, and the release of roughly $100 billion of its assets after international inspectors concluded that the country had dismantled large portions of its nuclear program. Despite the developments – who can argue against the happiness that comes with release of Americans citizens and their families? – Iran remains on the U.S. list of states that sponsor terrorism. And that means the road ahead will be long and bumpy.
Obama Hails New Era As Iran Complies With Nuke Deal
Posted January 17th, 2016 at 11:32 am (UTC-5)
Comments are closed
“I’m very happy to say that as we speak, we have received confirmation that five Americans who had been unjustly detained in Iran have been released from custody.”
Are There Really Only Two Options on Iran?
Posted July 29th, 2015 at 9:30 am (UTC-5)
Comments are closed
Plenty of conservatives have proposed alternatives to Obama’s Iran deal — and not just war.
The Sources of Opposition to the Iran Agreement
Posted July 28th, 2015 at 11:39 am (UTC-5)
Comments are closed
If the current debate were being conducted solely on the merits of the agreement, the outcome would be almost a no-brainer; the agreement is obviously much better than the alternative of killing the agreement … And yet the agreement’s political fate on Capitol Hill does not reflect that.
Deal With Iran: The Reaction
Posted July 14th, 2015 at 12:45 pm (UTC-5)
Comments are closed
The ink was hardly dry on the deal negotiated by the P5+1 and Iran to limit Iran’s nuclear program before critics and supporters weighed in on its merits. Once the agreement makes its way to Congress, it has 60 days to vote up or down on it. If Congress rejects it, President Obama says he will veto that rejection, forcing Congress to come up with a two-thirds majority to override.
End Game for Iran Nuclear Negotiations
Posted June 26th, 2015 at 3:35 pm (UTC-5)
Comments are closed
By Barbara Slavin With the arrival of Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif, in Vienna Friday, the climax to nearly two years of intensive negotiations is at hand. Opponents and advocates of a long-term nuclear agreement with Iran are marshaling their best arguments in an effort to influence the talks […]
Haunted by Hiroshima
For Mr. Kerry, President Barack Obama and anyone else who assumes the mantle of leadership, there should be one overriding goal when it comes to nuclear weapons — to work toward a world free of them entirely. The horror of Hiroshima and Nagasaki should never been unleashed again…