Obama speech
Excerpts
"By most measures America has rarely been stronger relative to the rest of the world. Those who argue otherwise — who suggest that America is in decline or has seen its global leadership slip away — are either misreading history or engaged in partisan politics."
"American isolationism is not an option. We don't have a choice to ignore what happens beyond our borders. If nuclear materials are not secure, that poses a danger to American citizens."
"U.S. military action cannot be the only — or even primary — component of our leadership in every instance. Just because we have the best hammer does not mean that every problem is a nail."
Reaction
"President Obama made a clear and strong case for American leadership in the 21st century and why the United States must remain engaged around the world. American military and economic might are without peer, and we will always protect our country and our citizens in the face of a direct challenge. When we ignore threats to democracy and human rights — when we tolerate rogue leaders who endanger security and flout international laws — we do so at our peril."
Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., top-ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee
"I would argue that the U.S. lost Egypt, lost Libya and diluted their influence in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries. It seems that the villains of the region have the upper hand, this is Iran and its affiliates, and that is a very bad sign for the allies of the United States around the world."
Boaz Ganor, Israeli counterterrorism expert
"The world is obviously a safer since the end of the Cold War because there's no longer the threat of nuclear exchange. But I would argue it is more dangerous and more unstable in the last five years of this presidency than it has ever been."
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
"This seemed to be an attempt to make the case for what you might call threading the needle between too much and too little involvement in the world. It seemed to be making the case for a responsible, centrist approach. But it was more clear what it was against than what it was actually for."
Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations
"Too often, strong words have been followed by weak actions or no actions. President Obama's diplomatic efforts cannot work if our allies lack confidence in U.S. commitments, and our opponents do not fear U.S. warnings."
Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
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