Progressivism, for me, is largely about worldview. Yes, there are specific policies associated with progressives, but the reason that progressives coalesce around certain policies is because they see the world in much the same way. When it comes to foreign policy, progressives tend to have a very tough-minded view of America’s post-World War Two actions. This view is grounded in a clear-eyed admission that America made many mistakes during the Cold War. When it comes to the Middle East, we treated the region primarily as a battleground for natural resources that should be fought through gaining proxy states for ourselves and denying them to the Soviets. While progressives divide over just how pragmatic those efforts were, they are fairly united in admitting that they caused lasting resentment and fueled anti-American feeling. Obama gave voice to this progressive wisdom right at the beginning of his speech in Cairo.
The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations.
Obama also promoted a progressive view when he discussed Iraq. No doubt, he used more diplomatic prose than many progressives would have used, but that is a feature of his position and the venue. He clearly spelled out that invading Iraq was a divisive choice (even in America) that ignored progressive (Jeffersonian) ideals like diplomacy and consensus building.
Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. (Applause.) Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: “I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be.”
The invasion of Iraq was supported by many Democrats, and not only out of fear. An indicator of this is that the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 passed the House by a 360-38 vote (Pelosi voted against it). A large part of the bipartisan foreign policy establishment felt that America could and should topple Saddam Hussein and set up permanent military bases there. They thought that before 9/11, and they felt it even more strongly after 9/11. Obama does not share that worldview.
Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future — and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. And I have made it clear to the Iraqi people — (applause) — I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq’s sovereignty is its own. And that’s why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq’s democratically elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all of our troops from Iraq by 2012. (Applause.) We will help Iraq train its security forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.
This position is different from the establishment position which, engaging in realpolitik, seeks mainly proxies and patrons. Obama also expresses the mainstream progressive view that the country went nuts after 9/11 and abandoned some of its core principles.
And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter or forget our principles. Nine-eleven was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our traditions and our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year. (Applause.)
You might hope that such views are uncontroversial, but Liz Cheney appeared on MSNBC this afternoon and specifically complained about the idea that we had acted contrary to our traditions and ideals.
Obama also expressed the progressive position on Palestinian violence. His words are the same words I have used time and time again when arguing with certain Palestinian advocates.
Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and it does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America’s founding. This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It’s a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end.
It’s actually worse than a dead end because it darkens the hearts of the Israelis, who hold the preponderance of power.
Obama also expresses the progressive position on Israeli settlements.
At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. (Applause.) This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop. (Applause.)
How often have you heard a U.S. politician say that Palestine’s right to exist cannot be denied? Me? Never.
And, while progressives agree that Israel has a right to defend itself, they generally agree that Israel’s recent wars in Lebanon and Gaza were self-defeating and did not make them more secure. Obama seems to agree.
And Israel must also live up to its obligation to ensure that Palestinians can live and work and develop their society. Just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be a critical part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.
Obama made a major step by simply acknowledging that the United States helped stage the 1953 coup in Iran. Yet, he also was clear-eyed about Iranian misbehavior since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is in fact a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I’ve made it clear to Iran’s leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question now is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.
I think Obama is the first president to ever acknowledge our role in crushing Iranian democracy, and that is one reason that that history is not known well here in America even though every child knows about it in the Middle East. Perhaps every child will soon know the truth in this country. Educating people is a big part of creating the conditions for reconciliation. Rather than make bellicose threats against Iran, Obama admitted that our side has made some mistakes and has offered a chance for a new beginning that isn’t held hostage to the differences of the past. This, too, is the progressive view.
Another progressive view is that nuclear proliferation cannot be combated if some countries are permitted to have weapons and other countries are arbitrarily told that they cannot have them. We cannot say nothing about Israel’s nuclear weapons and then successfully take the high moral ground against Iran or North Korea having them. In fact, we must ourselves work towards disarmament if we are to have real credibility and true international cooperation in our anti-proliferation efforts. Obama gave voice to this view.
I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons. And that’s why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. (Applause.) And any nation — including Iran — should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I’m hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.
Another core progressive belief is that, while democracy is the best form of government, it must be promoted with respect for self-determination. There is no one correct way to achieve representative government. And, while we should welcome and support all movements away from tyranny and towards democracy, it is not our mandate to impose this progress on unwilling nations. In fact, efforts to impose democracy can often have the opposite result. Obama expressed this in his lengthy discussion of democracy. Here’s an excerpt.
But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere. (Applause.)
Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments — provided they govern with respect for all their people.
This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they’re out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. (Applause.) So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power: You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Barack Obama, we love you!
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you. (Applause.)
The last thing I want to focus on is Obama’s policy proposals. One core progressive belief is that America should spend less on oil and gas (and on the arms industry needed to secure energy) and more on education, health, and infrastructure. This is true in America and it is true for the people of the Middle East, too. Another core progressive belief is that we can win more hearts and minds through economic and educational exchange than we can through the use special forces counterinsurgency efforts. Obama reflects those beliefs.
…no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf states have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century — (applause) — and in too many Muslim communities, there remains underinvestment in these areas. I’m emphasizing such investment within my own country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas when it comes to this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.
On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America. (Applause.) At the same time, we will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a young person in Kansas can communicate instantly with a young person in Cairo.
On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.
On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more jobs. We’ll open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new science envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, grow new crops. Today I’m announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.
All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.
We have the right president with the right progressive worldview. We must help him implement these policies. And then…we’ll find out if we’ve been right all along.
