Obama on Israel & Iran: Balanced and Reality-Based

"... when Israel is attacked, we must stand up for Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself," declared Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) on March 2, 2007 in a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Forum. The senator continued:

"The Israeli people, and Prime Minister Olmert, have made clear that they are more than willing to negotiate an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will result in two states living side by side in peace and security.

But the Israelis must trust that they have a true Palestinian partner for peace.

That is why we must strengthen the hands of Palestinian moderates who seek peace and that is why we must maintain the isolation of Hamas and other extremists who are committed to Israel’s destruction."

And on Iran, Sen. Obama did not equivocate:

"Iran’s President Ahmadinejad’s regime is a threat to all of us. His words contain a chilling echo of some of the world’s most tragic history....

The world must work to stop Iran’s uranium enrichment program and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. It is far too dangerous to have nuclear weapons in the hands of a radical theocracy."

Obama's speech was not just so much generic campaign rhetoric. His remarks were both specific and nuanced, reflecting solid analysis, and clearly weren't designed either to play both sides of the political street or to please all possible people.

But more important, Sen. Obama's speech reflected fair and balanced reality-based thinking on the Middle East... and a refreshing lack of polarizing religious ideology or undue fear-mongering.

This was an important speech by a 2008 candidate who some believe lacks sufficient foreign policy credentials to be U.S. President. Take the time to become familiar with Barack Obama's stances and thoughts at Obama's Speech on Israel, Iran, Iraq & the Middle East .

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