Beltway Happenings
Sept. 6, 2005--Marking the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the New America Foundation held a policy forum on "Terrorism, Security, and America's Purpose: Towards a More Comprehensive Strategy."  Among those addressing the forum were Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) [not pictured], Gen. Wesley Clark (ret.), and Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE).
"We've lost our legitimacy," Gen. Clark declared in his speech.  Other nations see the United States as imposing solutions militarily.  "This is no time to stay the course; it is time to change the course," Clark said.  He urged an end to the over-reliance on U.S. armed forces, stating that it is necessary to think of the threat of terrorism in more than just military terms.  The United States must seek to understand the thought process of terrorists and reach in and change it.  "We have to win ideologically first," Clark said.  He also said that Iraq's neighbors are part of the problem in Iraq and urged formation of a contact group to bring about a regional dialogue.  In response to a question, Clark said an orderly withdraw from Iraq "is not the right course to adopt right now."
Links
New America Foundation
WES PAC: Securing America's Future
 
 
 
Copyright © 2005  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action