Andreas Michael Bock: Terrorism is able to thrive when it has the support of local people. Therefore, in order to win the war on terror, it is vital to win the loyalties and convictions of the people. An initiative outlined by US President Barack Obama in his Cairo speech, intends to strike terrorism at its Achilles’ heel by removing the people’s voluntary support of terrorist groups.
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Rüdiger Lentz: Inclusiveness, openness and transparency are the key experiences of the early Obama administration, according to Rüdiger Lentz, President of Atlantic Initiative U.S. in his new video message.
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The Christmas Day terror scare favors the rivival of Bush-style rhetoric. ++ Obama´s refreshing attempt at an open dialogue with Muslims is turning into a classical security response. ++ Though the breach was largely the fault of American intelligence and European airport screening, Washington’s first reaction was to start targeting the Muslim population. ++ In spite of Obama’s calls
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The terrorist attempt on Christmas Day proves that politics is prevailing over objective analysis. ++ Political assumptions are clouding the process twards developing an effective global counter-terroism policy, causing obvious mistakes that put the world is at risk. ++ The White House is responsible and should put an end to these bureaucratic practises by abolishing the current agencies. ++
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President Obama’s engagement with US’ adversaries is failing. ++ North Korea and Iran responded to America’s politics of dialogue by testing nuclear weapons and commencing nuclear enrichment. ++ “Obama’s diplomatic hand has been extended for a while now…fists remain clenched.” ++ These oppressive regimes are internally too preoccupied to respond to US rapprochement.
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As the casualties from the protests in Iran begin to mount, critical voices have accused US President Barack Obama of being too soft and indifferent towards Tehran. ++ In spite of his tone getting tougher in regards to the escalating violence on Tehran’s streets, “Obama keeps avoiding open confrontation with Iran’s potentates.” ++ Tehran has a tendency to use any US statements against protesters.
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The debate about water boarding misses a fundamental point: human rights abuses have no place in a democracy, whether they occur once or 183 times.++ Torture is a systematic attempt to break people.++ Amnesty for perpetrators is unacceptable in a democracy.++ If Obama yields to CIA pressure, he will lose the trust of the international community.++ As a bare minimum, Obama should use the
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Biden’s comment at the Security Conference in Munich regarding the need for expert opinion prior to deploying defense missiles in Eastern Europe has raised fear in the Czech Republic. ++ “It’s beginning to look as though the Americans were taking us for a ride. Now that there’s a new driver in the White House, they think they can just drop us off at the curb.”++ Retreating on the missile
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Sino-US relations have not got off to a good start. ++ US Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner has branded China a “currency manipulator,” a careless move. ++ China is the US’ largest creditor and it is entirely plausible that it will act in its own interests and move its cash elsewhere if pushed. ++ The White House generally looks keen on taking a hard line with China, but now is no
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