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Subscribe to RSSDifficult situations remain for President Obama in Syria, Afghanistan, Iran and Israel. NBC's Richard Engel discusses what Obama needs to do to overcome these challenges in his second term.
News analysis
Updated at 5:41 a.m. ET on Nov. 7: Barack Obama faces no shortage of foreign challenges as he enters his second term as commander in chief.
While it is impossible to predict what may come, here’s a look at 10 issues likely to emerge as priorities for his administration:
1. Possible Afghan collapse/civil war
The Afghan government has been propped up by American and NATO troops and money but has failed in its basic functions of establishing national trust, security and unity. Afghanistan could devolve into a civil war as U.S. troops draw down in 2014, with old rivalries re-emerging between the north and south/southeast.
Watch the drama of election night quickly unfold in a three minutes montage of sights and sounds.
Once again, the country could be torn by an ethnic war between the Pashtuns and the now-defunct Northern Alliance, a legion of Tajik, Uzbek and Hazara militias. The risk is that Afghan security forces will then split along ethnic lines and President Hamid Karzai, whom critics accuse of being an uncooperative U.S. ally, could become an even greater liability.
On a recent visit to Afghanistan I spoke to some Tajik villagers outside Kabul, who promised me they would start fighting once American troops leave. They said they would battle a group of pro-Taliban Pashtun villagers nearby. When asked if Karzai's troops would be able to stop a clash, one tribal elder told me, "The corrupt government in Kabul? It can't do anything."
The dangers of an Afghan collapse are many: Afghan deaths, a loss of American prestige, a loss of NATO prestige, a moral blow to U.S. troops and veterans, a Taliban resurgence, huge setbacks for women, and greater power for Pakistan and Pakistani extremists.
Read more Afghanistan coverage from NBCNews.com
Aref Karimi / AFP - Getty Images
More than ten years after the beginning of the war, Afghanistan faces external pressure to reform as well as ongoing internal conflicts.
2. Possible Iran implosion or explosion
Iran, which is being pushed to a breaking point by U.S.-led currency and banking sanctions, won't simply sit back and watch its economy crumble. Persia is 7,000 years old and will fight to survive.
The increasingly isolated country is likely to act in one of three ways: accommodation and negotiation, weaponization, or diversion.
Faced with the crippling sanctions, Iran could simply decide it is paying too high a cost to pursue its nuclear program and could opt for negotiations and reconciliation with the United States and other members of the international community. This is clearly the preferred option of American leaders.
The other possibilities are more problematic. Iran could rush toward a nuclear capability, deciding the best way to survive is to obtain weapons so horrific that no one would dare attack. A nuclear program has arguably worked as a deterrent for North Korea and other states -- would Moammar Gadhafi have been deposed and summarily killed if Libya had had nuclear weapons? Iranians might not think so.
The Iranian economy is in free fall, with its currency, the rial hitting a record low. NBC's Ali Arouzi reports.
Source: Back-channel talks but no US-Iran deal on one-to-one nuclear meeting
A less risky approach would be to provoke a diversionary conflict through Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, the Shiites in Bahrain, the Kurdistan Workers Party in Syria and Turkey, its position in the Strait of Hormuz -- or it could try to inflame anti-American and anti-Israeli sentiment.
Iran also could try to attack the American economy through sabotage or cyber warfare. Cornered as it is, Iran could become the aggressor instead of -- as it sees itself -- the passive victim.
At schools, in shops, and on the streets of big cities and small towns, daily life plays out in Iran.
How Iran acts is up to its choosing but it's hard to see how it won't act -- for better or worse -- as the sanctions continue to bite.
Read more Iran coverage from NBCNews.com
3. Rise of the Muslim Brotherhood
The Arab Spring has empowered the Muslim Brotherhood across the Middle East and beyond. It and other ideologically similar and allied groups run the governments of Egypt, Tunisia and Gaza.
In Syria, the Brotherhood has a strong presence among the rebels and in Yemen, it runs half the government and much of the state's day-to-day functions. In Jordan and Morocco, the Brotherhood is the main opposition to the countries' ruling royal families. In leaderless Libya, it is an increasingly organized voice. And in Algeria, the movement's officials warn that their revolution is coming.
The Muslim Brotherhood's influence in the Middle East is likely to evolve in one of two ways. Military regimes that have been pushed aside could fight back and launch counter-Islamic revolutions, clawing back the Brotherhood's gains and keeping it tied up in internal political battles. This is already starting to happen in Egypt.
Analysis: Egypt's big turn under the Muslim Brotherhood
Conversely, the Muslim Brotherhood could consolidate its gains and dominate electoral politics in the Middle East for the next several years.
For the United States, the rise of the Brotherhood is not in itself a major challenge. Most of its leaders say they want good relations and economic ties with Washington. The problem, however, is Israel. The Brotherhood is fundamentally anti-Israel, and Washington is fundamentally pro-Israel.
While analysts can debate which presidential candidate is closer to Israel, both have expressed their commitment to it and its security -- just as every U.S. president has done.
But the Muslim Brotherhood will not make the same commitments to Israel's integrity and security. While campaigning to win the election in Egypt, the Brotherhood held rallies featuring speakers who called for the restoration of the Islamic Caliphate with Jerusalem as its capital.
In an attempt to convey what he sees as a threat to Israel's existence, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a cartoon to illustrate how close he says Iran is to developing a nuclear weapon. In a speech at the United Nations General Assembly he asked the world to help stop them. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
The Brotherhood does not understand why Washington chooses to befriend one small country at the expense of relations with millions of Arabs and over a billion Muslims. Washington rejects having to make this choice.
This rift could become a showdown and devolve into violence. The timing depends on American policy and outside provocations that can be either by design -- "peace" flotillas to Gaza, Hamas rockets, an Israeli assault on Gaza -- or by accident, such as bigoted and dumb Internet movies.
4. Cyber threat
The United States has spent a decade fighting terrorists with some notable and many debatable successes. But bombs aren't the only kind of threat. In fact, a successful cyber attack could cause national and international chaos far exceeding a bombing in a major U.S. city.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta recently warned about a possible cyber Pearl Harbor. Many military officials and analysts I know fully agree with him.
Panetta: Cyber intruders have already infiltrated US systems
5. Israeli strike on Iran
Israel may attack Iran's nuclear program if it believes sanctions are failing. The strike would likely delay but not stop the program, experts say. For the time being, Israel has decided to wait and see what impact the international sanctions have.
If Iran chooses a quick rush to make a bomb, Israel will most likely change course and opt for a military solution. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made that point abundantly clear when he drew a red line at the United Nations and held up a picture of a bomb.
Read more Israel coverage from NBCNews.com
6. Revival of al-Qaida/Ansar al-Sharia
Al-Qaida's leaders have been killed and hunted, but the group hasn't gone away. Many al-Qaida factions have re-branded themselves under a new name: Ansar al-Sharia (partisans of Islamic law). Some of the militants also are finding new comfortable homes in the post-Arab Spring Middle East, blending into Salafist (Sunni fundamentalist) movements.
7. Rift with Pakistan
Pakistan and the United States have been locked in an uncomfortable marriage since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, and arguably long before that.
US, Pakistan should 'divorce,' ex-ambassador to Washington says
Critics accuse Pakistan of taking American counter-terrorism money and military support, while at the same time supporting terrorist groups.
Muhammed Muheisen / AP
Images of daily life, political pursuits, religious rites and deadly violence.
If the United States cuts off Pakistan -- which may happen as Washington becomes less reliant on Pakistani supply routes into Afghanistan -- Islamabad could become more belligerent, which would cause relations to deteriorate further. The withdrawal from Afghanistan will change the costly status quo that has existed with Pakistan since 9/11, and that change is unlikely to go smoothly.
Read more Pakistan coverage from NBCNews.com
8. Mexico and the growing war on drugs
According to some estimates, Mexico has become the most dangerous country in the world. Around 50,000 people have been killed in the country's drug wars. It is unclear if Mexico's President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto will be able to contain the violence, which has spread south to Central America and is showing signs of leaking north into the United States.
Read more Mexico coverage from NBCNews.com
Mexico's drug war is also part of a drug culture with roots in music, movies and even religion
9. US 'pivot' to Asia/China slowdown
In 2011, China overtook Japan to become the world's second-largest economy after the United States. The Obama administration has acknowledged China's growing military and political power, and has pledged to "pivot" or deploy more than half of the U.S.' naval assets to the Asia-Pacific region by the end of the decade. This, some argue, has contributed to souring relations between the two powers.
Adding to the troubles, China isn't cheap anymore and Chinese workers are no longer as willing to accept poor conditions and little pay. Strikes are increasingly common. Removing dissent from Chinese Internet sites is a full-time job for government censors. Growth rates remain high, but the cost of living and labor demands are going up.
Factories are already moving out of China to cheaper labor markets in Indonesia and Bangladesh. If China's economic growth slows for a prolonged period, the world will be dramatically impacted. The country's economic expansion has driven up oil prices and has made parts of the Middle East, Russia and Brazil exceptionally rich. Could labor unrest threaten the ruling Communist Party's grip? Any move from this giant creates a huge wake that will quickly wash onto American shores.
Read more China coverage on NBC's Behind The Wall
10. United States: Drifting?
For a decade, the United States has made fighting terrorism its main foreign policy goal. This is by definition a reactionary policy and is limited in focus -- without a global vision or sense of destiny.
In contrast, American rivals appear to have grand plans in place. Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, seems intent on regaining its Soviet and Tsarist glory. Turkey is flexing its muscles regionally and is re-establishing some of its Ottoman legacy and prominence. China is looking to consolidate its hold on swathes of Asia and beyond.
Full coverage: NBCNews.com's The World is Watching series
But what does the United States want to do? What is our goal? It is impossible to be influential if we don't know where we are going -- and any malaise would be damaging to the national interest. World powers must move to survive. Drifting is sinking.
More election coverage from NBCNews.com:
- Victorious Obama 'more determined' in face of challenges
- Now that he's won, six splitting headaches waiting for Obama
- Democrats retain control of Senate with series of hard-fought wins
- One big winner in Tuesday's vote: health reform
- Romney's English cousin sad he lost, sort of
- Rape remarks sink two Republican Senate hopefuls
- In costliest-ever Senate race, Warren beats Brown for Mass. seat
- Maine's Harley-riding King vowed to 'shake up' D.C.
- Republicans easily maintain control of House
- Colorado, Washington approve recreational marijuana use
- Wisconsin's Baldwin becomes 1st openly gay senator
- Pence in as governor of Indiana; Hassan wins in N.H.
- World welcomes Obama's 2nd term - but many challenges loom
- Majority of voters see American on wrong track
- Top 10 foreign policy issues facing Obama
Follow NBC Politics on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
If I were president, I wouldn't be up all night worrying about all of this as there is one solution. MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS. It is insane to think that a bankrupt country can continue to police the world and force it's unwanted influences on middle eastern nations. The next president should ask himself "What wrongdoing has Iran committed?" If we are a nation that truly believes in "freedom", then why is it that other nations are not free to explore their own scientific pursuits if they are for peaceful purposes? Why is Israel allowed to have nukes? Why does the United States have more nukes than any other country in the world?
The next president should concentrate his focus on fixing the problems that we have here. On day one, something needs to be done about our exorbitant amount of debt. Secondly, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve needs to be grilled by congress once more in a session in which he needs to explain the scope and the ultimate goal of QE(Quantitative Easing) infinity. The dilution of our dollar and the decrease in the standard of living for middle class Americans needs to be considered. The Fed needs to present their "Doomsday" plan for the next financial disaster that is upon us. Namely, what should be done about the "too big to fail banks". Government bail outs should be completely ruled out as an option. The next president should focus on reuniting and strengthening America within and then courting trade opportunities abroad. It's time to end the wars, it's time to end the occupation of foreign lands and it's time to put America first. Let these other countries resolve their issues. It took civil war to form our country, it will take civil war to reform the middle east and modern day civil war in our own country will become a reality if our elected officials continue to selfishly steer the Titanic toward the iceberg. But, what do I know? I fear that it may be too late for a turn around. Maybe this is what these politicians are afraid to tell us. They've spilled cranberry juice on the white carpet that is America and the stain is most likely permanent.
Iran kills people(Americans) all around the world. They are our ENEMY.
Just ask them.
Ohio -
So, you are for another attack on American soil?
Keeping possible attacks away from the US is the primary reason we fight in other countries.
Granted, we need to get the debt under control, but I think that situation will at least partially fix itself if we can get unemployment down (increasing the tax base), cut spending (20% across the board would bring it down to 2008 spending levels and would be fair to all), and get rid of excessive regulation and Obamacare.
The two of you collectively don't understand and it is really sad. Americans kill innocent women, children and families everyday as they occupy nations. For every civilian casualty, a new "terrorist" is born. Why are we being attacked? The answer is simple. They don't want us occupying their lands and taking advantage of their natural resources! Tammy, we are not fighting in other countries to repel possible attacks. We are there to defend oil pipelines and protect "our interests". We are also there to surround China and countries like Iran. If we get out of these countries and leave these people alone, then the terrorism against the U.S. will end. You never heard about so called "islamic extremists" attacking Canada. Why? because Canada minds it's own business. Most of these guys really aren't Islamic extremists. They are just ordinary people who are angry and tired of the United States killing their women, children and families. You'd be angry as well if a 2 ton bomb dropped on your parent's home and killed every occupant inside. Then all the U.S. government has to say about the situation is "oops". We can't keep going around murdering innocent people and not expecting backlash. Then when they decide to fight back to expel us out of their countries, then they are somehow the "terrorists" and we are this angelic nation who has never done anything wrong.
Concerning the debt, to be honest, I doubt there is much that will be done about it. If we drastically cut spending, the economy will collapse HARD. If we choose to do nothing, the economy will collapse hard in addition to spurring a debt and currency crisis. Our politicians are too afraid to admit this reality.
In my time that I've spent reading this board, I find that the American voter is severely deluded and uninformed.
Tweets,
So, you want to send our boys and girls over there to die?
Iran may hate us, but is it worth our children dieing over?
Even if we totally destroyed the current regime, how do we know what would come in to fill the void would be any better?
Do you remember our recent war in Iraq?
Ohio I know from where you speak this country needs a slow and methodical turn around because a fast turn around on the foreign policy or economy would result in chaos but between the two candidates I do believe Obama is the best choice
Why does david Axlerod , A campaign manager, have access to Security Briefings?
He doesn't have that kind of clearance.
WHITE HOUSE LEAKS should be debated tonight.
how do you know his security clearance?
No Campaign officials have clearance. Never have.
Yet he talks about being present during Briefings.
He is not a government employee. He is a DNC employee.
Vermont guy...... Do you want me to educate you on anything else.
You seem hateful and confused.
hateful and confused for asking how you know his clearance? lol.
I'd like you to "educate" me on how you KNOW his clearance. Your second post was worthless. lol.
and again, how do you KNOW his clearance? making general statement is hardly "knowing" something.
No. I called you that because I've read some of your other posts.
I'm suprised to see you posting on anything not about Gay Marriage.
I thought that was your one single issue in life.
well, you stupidly thought wrong. I post on a variety of topics. I'm sorry you are obsessed with gay marriage and not observant.
but I notice you neglected to tell me how you know axelrod's clearance..because obviously you don't have a clue, you were just mindlessly taking a shot at obama. lol.
VermontGuy:
For some reason I really don't believe that you were born and brought up in Vermont...
Reason(s):
Real Vermonters have More smarts then that. Someone working on a Campain is NOT EMPLOYED by the Gov't... Thus HE CANNOT HOLD A SECURITY CLEARENCE. Pretty plan and simple....
Ask you why? Well frist, I WAS Born and Brought up in the GREAT State of Vermont. I spent my time in the Military and for over 12 of those years I was a SECURITY MANAGER... Any Idea what that is?
Move over Jimmy Carter.
I would like to know what contributions all of the Czars have had and how much they have cost.
cronyism.
Obama's foreign policy ... "Apologize and then verify that you've apologized".
if by "apologize" you mean "kill terrorists and confront china" I agree. :)
Didn't you hear "They are Enemy Combatants" not terrorists. They commit Terrorist Acts. Get your PC right! Oh, don't forget to apologize!
no, I heard they are terrorists..very dead ones all over the world. the "obama is soft on our enemies" is just plain a stupid claim, given how much he's using our military and special forces around the world to, well, kill our enemies. :)
I'd ask YOU to apologize for your stupid post, but I'm sure you won't. :)
So you hear the Administration use that term much? I don't unless they get Pressured. Forget they quit using THAT word when Obama took office? I'm SORRY YOUR BLIND! How's that?
why do you are what term they use? I only care if they kill our enemies. I'm sorry you're hung up on semantics and not actions. How's that? :)
Not hung up but I am tired of hearing the nononsense you are spouting about apologizing. How about you watch the speach to the UN and when you do think about Freedom of Speech. If you decide tomorrow to make some Worthless film that pisses someone off I'll fight for your right to express yourself not Apologize for being a citizen of the Country that gave you that Right.
Notimpressed,
I think a lot of people on the Right are totally missing the definition of terrorist.
Terrorism implies an act of violence against civilians to create political leverage. By definition, an attack against a military objective cannot be "terrorism."
Chit
And your point is? I know, it was that nasty video that Bush mad and uploaded to youtube.
Times,
I'm not sure what you are talking about, I'll assume you are referring to Benghazi.?.?. We were talking about the term terrorist.
But in response to your comment, it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure that the goal of the Benghazi attack was to drive a wedge between us and the recently elected government; Fox News, and their condemnation of our support of the elected government, fell for it hook line and sinker.
It wasn't a "terrorist attack" it was a political play against the new Libyan Government by their internal adversaries.
If you build bombs for a living, vote for Ramenie and the old batch of Bushie neo-cons.
They will have the draft reinstated "on day one" of office. Good luck kids.
If you want to debate, stick to facts . not fears.
You have nothing , so you just make stuff up.
Is that you Barack?
Sane Central:
What an A$$. Soon you will be bitching about how all your welfare is gone, they cut off your phone and you have to start digging distches for the State, then Vote obama.
If I was in the eligible age range, I would be VERY, VERY afraid.
Fear the FACTS kids. (You didn't want to go to college anyway, did you?)
17 out of 24 Ramenie advisers are Bush's old batch of neo-cons. Look it up.
Judging by Ramenie's foreign tour, the US will be going it alone too.
A month before our ambassador was assassinated England withdrew their Ambassadore because the secuirity situation had eroded to an unsafe level.
England is smarter than Barack????????
WTF??????????
How is that possible?????????
Their Ambassador is still alive. Amazing.
did obama order the ambassador to stay put? just curious what you actually know..versus what you blame obama for..which are of course two different things. :)
Running a loose ship. Poor Management and false statements is my opinion. Think the Ambassador was doing his job, too bad there was no one on his 6!
I think State is responsible for embassy security, and of course organizations like CIA/NSA are responisble for intelligence related to security. If you want to blame obama as president under "the buck stops here", that's fine, but "tweets" seems to be blaming him personally for not overseeing security at every single embassy worldwide, which is silly.
The Manager appoints his IDIOTS!!!!
i agree that obama is responsible for "everything" under the "buck stops here" approach. Of course, that makes every president's record pretty weak, given how many mistakes are made by his underlings.
again, blaming obama personally for the death of the libyan ambassador is really weak. He doesn't review embassy security personally, nor should he. the question is...did State screw up? Did nsa/cia? maybe really no one and it couldn't be prevented? I don't know the answer right now, that's the question only an after-the-fact analysis will determine.
I enjoy the smile you give me every time you deflect. Who hired the incompetent? Who is responsible then? You can't believe the President wasn't immediately informed, Can You? What did he decide? What else could he have done, besides fly and drone over to film the situation? Better yet, what would you have done? Blamed someone else?
deflect? that's stupid. I answered directly. I agree obama is responsible for things that happen in his administration under the "buck stops here" concept, which makes every president indirectly responsible for every mistake.
if you want PERSONAL responsibility, then you have to show what obama PERSONALLY did wrong..which you haven't done.
see, no smilie. happy now? lol .
tweets from obama
Even the RED CROSS was smarter then him
vermontguy
Who was blamed when the Titanic hit the Iceberg... The cook, the Look Out? Nope it was the CAPTAIN!
I hope Obama doesn't resort to his Jihadist training( recieved in Pakistan) tonight.
Obama better get a good TSA pat down before being allowed on the stage.
oh wait, I see, you're a troll. silly me, I thought you might actually be a thoughtful, mature, intelligent poster. my mistake. :)
As long as you can get free government condoms from planned parenthood you will be happy.
Go ahead and vote for your freebies. I don't imagine you have children, so you probably don't care about the future.
A good TSA pat down is an oxymoron.
tweets: lol, you know nothing about me. Only a moron would make up "facts" about a poster like you do. :)
like I say, you're a troll..and a piss poor one at that. Good trolls make others angry, piss poor ones act like morons. :)
vermontGuy
And what side of East Overshoe do you live in? In my part of the State, we WORK for our Food. 2 or 3 Jobs if there need be. We don't believe that the gov't should be supporting the Kids that WE brought into this world.
Obama bots are running out of excuses.
Think about it, if it were not for the oil that we are so dependent on, would we really have a reason to bother with the middle east at all? It would just be another group of uncivilized, uneducated countries that are ripe with human strife and violience every day. They would all be Mexicos, Cubas, Congos, and Chads to us right? In the end, won't they eventually get to their own resolve anyway? We may have to protect Israel once in awhile from all the anti-semitism that goes with the region, but thats about it. Lets tap our own oil and get the hell out of there. If Iran starts building nukes or they wont leave Israel alone we will go in and kick some tail. That is really the clearest solution to our problems here in the US. Just get off of foreign oil, and stop buying Chinese products and the rest will fall into place.
Just to be precise, it isn't the US who is dependent on middle eastern oil in particular, we get more of our own oil from other sources (and in fact became a net oil exporter just now)...but the world is dependent on their oil, and if that supply is disrupted, it will cause the US great pain indirectly. Middle eastern oil disruption => global recession/depression => US recession/depression.
By all means please cite where you are getting your "precise" facts that makes you think that the US is not dependent on foreign oil? The world is more dependent? The US has the worst gas guzzling etiquette of any country in the world and is completely depnedent on foreign sources. We actually only produce 20% of our own oil that we consume. Were you not alive in the 70's when OPEC temporarily stopped its oil flow to the United States? There was a gas shortage and was frightening to think how much control the oil really had over us. Not sure if you got a hold of some bad kool aid or if you are just an Obama supporter trying to use diversionary measures to escape reality.
"
According to the study, the United States reduced net imports of crude oil last year by 10%, or 1 million barrels a day. The U.S. now imports 45% of its petroleum, down from 57% in 2008, and is on track to meet Obama’s long-term goal, the administration maintains.
Imports have fallen, in part, because the United States has increased domestic oil and gas production in recent years."
"
A boom in oil production from the shale formations of North Dakota and Texas has the U.S. on a course to cut its reliance on imported crude oil to about 42 percent this year, the lowest level in two decades.
Dependence on crude purchased from foreign countries is on a pace to decline from last year, Adam Sieminski, the head of the U.S. Energy Information Administration, said during a Bloomberg Government lunch yesterday in Washington."
so we import even less than I thought.
So your source was a study to prove Obama's effectiveness on oil importation. Thanks, that's all I really needed to know. Have you had an original thought today or have you just looked for reasons to argue futilely? Are you saying that our interest in the middle east is not about oil? Do we not need it? Are we not walking on these oppressive, human rights ignoring, terrorist harbouring countries for another reason? Please tell me what that might be or what your point is, if any, because most of your posts basically support everything I already said except for a difference of opinion on percentage points.
well, so far your "source" is your own worthless biased opinion. thanks, that's all I really needed to know. Have yo uhad an original thought today or have you just looked for reasons to argue stupidly?
As you can see on my other posts, i've CLEARLY said that the US has a vested interest in middle eastern oil flowing..just pointing out that it isn't a DIRECT flow to us. We want to keep that oil flowing since, if it stops, the global economy goes into the dumper and takes us with it.
And "a different in percentage points" is exactly the point. Our dependence is NOT 80%, and it is falling. Since you were whining about OTHERS being uneducated, I just figured i'd educate you. lol. :)
Your the one that is not clear because you are agreeing and arguing with what I said at the same time. Of course if the oil doesn't keep flowing it is a tragedy, did you not see where I mentioned the gas shortage of the 70's? So then now you agree we are dependent if it would cause disaster right? My original post was in no way inflammatory, but just a basic outline of how to become more self sufficient as a nation while strengthening our own economy. Only two points were getting away from foreign oil dependency and turning the tide of the economy by not buying Chinese. If you managed to take that out of context into something else, well you may have saw something that just wasn't there. I think we want the same thing, it's just that you are so blinded by your obsessed politcal bias and anger, that it makes you feel like you have to be completely right just because we would vote for different men...
realitychuck
He wasn't around in the 70's... they had not dug down that far to move the rock he crawled out from.
Chick it makes no difference how much oil we have it is controlled by the big oil company's and sold to highest bidder does the average citizen no good what ever as far as price goes.
Challenge #1--how to deal with a enraged Muslim world when Israel nukes Iran into the stone age--and Challenge #2 is how to deal with a Congress unable to prevent a fiscal cliff reality.
80% of the Muslim world would be happy with Iran being wiped out.
Bye Bye Shiites.
Sunni win,,,Game set match
OHIO
Real clear politics
FOX News 10/17 - 10/18 46 43 Obama +3
Bye Bye Romney
MICHIGAN
Real Clear Politics
Rasmussen Reports (a conservative leaning pollster) 52 45 Obama +7
Bye Bye Romney
WISCONSIN
Real Clear Politics
Rasmussen Reports (a conservative leaning pollster) 10/18 - 10/18 50 48 Obama +2
NBC/WSJ/Marist 10/15 - 10/17 51 45 Obama +6
Bye Bye Romney
IOWA
Real Clear Politics
Rasmussen Reports (a conservative leaning pollster) 10/7 - 10/18 49 47 Obama +2
NBC/WSJ/Marist 10/15 - 10/17 51 43 Obama +8
WeAskAmerica 10/15 - 10/15 49 46 Obama +3
Bye Bye Romney
PENNSYLVANIA
Real Clear Politics
Rasmussen Reports (a conservative leaning pollster) 10/10 - 10/18 51 46 Obama +5
Quinnipiac 10/12 - 10/14 50 46 Obama +4
PPP 10/12 - 10/14 51 44 Obama +7
Bye Bye Romney
NEW HAMPHIRE
Real Clear Politics
Rasmussen Reports (a conservative leaning pollster) 10/15 - 10/15 4.5 50 49 Obama +1
WMUR/UNH 10/17 - 10/21 51 42 Obama +9
Bye Bye Romney
The only poll that matters has Romney winning easily and they have never been wrong at this point in the game.
Bye Bye Worst President in the History of the United States
The only people that will vote for Obama are those who live in constant fear of the repercussions of standing up to our enemies, people dependent on government welfare, or undeducated folks who believe everything Obama says on TV. If for some reason those people outnumber those with common sense and backbone, then yeah I guess we are in for four more years of kissing our enemies behinds, spending trillions on stupidity, and continuing to make sure communist China rules the world. Lord have mercy on us if that happens...
yawn, people who make generalizations about "who votes for obama" look like morons. :)
There are many, many reasons to vote for obama versus romney. Some good, some bad. If you can't think of any good reasons, well, again, you're a moron. :)
Instead of trolling on everyone elses posts with your Obama propaganda why not spew some facts on the topic above or have an original thought or two? I feel sorry for these slow thinkers that are so blinded by their by own partisan agenda that they fail to communicate at all without the political view. The sad thing is that he most likely feels like he is sounding intelligent, while only quoting references from any heavily opinionated liberal articles he has read recently.
i've posted actual facts about our situation, unlike you. lol.
I feel sorry for you slow thinkers. :)
I have read every one of your posts (sad, I know), and the only thing you have posted all day are pro Obama opinions and some obscure survery that says Obama is doing a bang up job on reducing foreign oil imports. You only really had one opinion where you saw global recession as a bad thing for the US, but I see it as a chance to regain our own production and ingenuity from decades ago. If the big corporations can make money on our soil instead of selling out overseas then that is a step in the right direction. You seem so negative vermont, and over obsessed with getting the last word on everything. I am sure you will have it, so make it feel really good and go over it again 3 times to make sure we are all the wiser.
Americas greatest power is not their nukes or military strength. It is how much they spend. It is so painfully obvious that the answer to all of these problems listed above is to end our dependency on foreign oil and stop buying made in China. The oil is a fix President Romney will hopefully address once in office, and the boycotting of all Chinese crap has to start with John Public willing to stop saving a dollar at the big box store to save his country.
we're already a net exporter of oil, interestingly enough.
Unfortunately we have to import 80% of all oil we use in the United States. A large amount comes from Canada but the rest comes from all other OPEC countries which almost all harbor or support some form of terrorist group.
no, we import 60%. and 15% comes from canada. so about 45% is opec countries.
again, see above, we import even less now. duh.
You just basically said the same thing I did, only difference is you said 60%.
well, 60% is NOT 80%, and now its down to closer to 40%.
So it is 40 now? Man, Obama sure has done wonders with the oil imports according to your study. That definitely means we are not dependent on oil at all like I said. I guess we should never tap our own resources now because that wouldn't benefit us at all. Thank you so much vermont, I was worried that Obama was doing nothing about our energy problems, letting China get away with currency manipulation, and spending and borrowing like crazy while we are in the midst of an economic disaster. Thanks for setting me straight. Now can you go troll somewhere else with your mindless Obama propaganda?
lol, i'm quoting actual numbers from actual sources, and you just keep babbling about obama propaganda. you're funny. :)
And your source has got to be the right one! Because it was the one that put Obama in a good light. Go back to your internet and type in how much oil does the US import and you will get 20 different opinions and yes you will find the ones that say the US imports 80%. But of course that source is wrong because it is not the one you read right? Sounds to me like you just want to be right on everything and always get the last word... are you sure you are not vermont gal? And why are you arguing so much anyway? Are not my points of lowering foreign oil imports and standing up to China not valid points?
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This is what you will get with Romney/Ryan.
You are 70 years old and have your voucher in hand. You call an insurance company to buy your private insurance. When the person at the insurance company stops laughing, they tell you that they will get back to you.
But some of you Seniors are thinking, I'm already 70, Romney said that this won't affect me..Let the next generation deal with it. I'm voting for Romney.
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THE END
When you are watching tonight’s final debate on foreign policy, keep a few things in mind. Obama’s wink to the Russian President “Wait until after the elections, I will have more flexibility”, “Yes I will inform Putin about this.”
Benghazi Gate: there has never been such a blatant cover-up of a screw-up.
Let’s not forget who is openly endorsing Barrack Hessein Obama:
The Ayatollah Khomeini, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Kim Jong-un, Vladimir Putin, Castro, Hugo Chavez, and Gloria Allred.
Unless we get our economic engine running on all cylinders, our foreign policy is meaningless. I think I would vote for Mitt Romney.
"don't forget who is endorsing obama"? who cares. I'll argue that people like putin endorsing obama is a reverse-psychology thing where they want romney as president so they are hoping to scare people away from obama. but really its meaningless..except to people like you. lol.
our foreign policy is very important whether we are in a boom or depression. If romney gets goaded into a war with iran it will be a problem no matter what our unemployment is. And the president has very little to do with the economy relative to foreign policy, its more a function of congress.
Mitt Romney projects cowardice and weakness and, like all cowards, a sickening propensity to over-react to all perceived threats with dim-witted and sponateous violence. However, we can count on NO Romney family members participating in any military action - other than to order others to do it for them! It will be ordinary Americans whose courage and strength this man will call upon and irresponsibly use! Mittens Romney is a proven coward, and the world will look upon him as an easily overcome threat. Those in the world who already despise America will see him as an opportunity to destroy this nation. He will NOT be seen as a deterrent.
If America wants to see the economy turn around and prosperity return we must reject the billionaire's candidates and the tea party controlled Republican Congress. They are the enemies to prosperity for the whole of the nation. They are the economic traitors who've, beginning in 2008, removed 13+ trillion dollars from America and hidden it away in foreign banks and tax shelters! They are the ones who laugh and scorn at most Americans while they eat more of their caviar and wash it down with more of their champagne!
America, reject this nonsense and right-wing propaganda! Reject the brainwashed tea party controlled Republican party of the elite 1%! Let's get on with getting America back on track! Let's remove the Republican imposed barriers to prosperity! And lets get busy with the greatest economic recovery in the history of the nation! Vote for the only candidate for 100% of Americans! Vote for Barack Obama!!!
God Bless America! And God Bless Barack Obama & Joe Biden!!
Proud.American.Veteran
Pray tell, what are you a Veteran from?
Frist off... I would need you to back up your statement:
"NO Romney family members participating in any military action"
Second: Can you tell me where I would find obama's service record?
And IF you are a real Vet, you would NEVER ALLOWED ANYONE to Walk all over the Constitution of the United States of America... Remember, you swore to defend against ALL, both foreign and Domestic?
It's the American people who have already flunked this 2012 national election. The rest is a foregone conclusion. Don't hold out hope for much. - Rick Carter
(I (basically) know EVERY THREAT which our nation AND our ENTIRE world faces, and I would have (PERSONALLY) 'skewered' them ALL!, (through and through!) Suffice it to say this latest generation WILL NEVER connect with MY generation, EVEN IF IT WERE TO THEIR VERY EVERLASTING SALVATION !!! (How EXTREMELY tragic, INDEED !!!)) - Rick Carter
synchronicityII
They also think blacks are cursed. But most repubs don't think too highly of blacks either
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Reply: I agree
Joseph Fielding Smith, tenth President and Prophet.
In 1963, Look magazine interviewed, at that time, the leader of the LDS Church; Joseph Fielding Smith. Concerning n e g r o e s, Smith stated:
I would not want you to believe that we bear any animosity toward the N e g r o. 'Darkies' are wonderful people, and they have their place in our church (Look magazine, October 22, 1963, 79; emphasis added).
Smith also taught that "N e g r o e s" were inferior to other races:
Not only was Cain called upon to suffer, but because of his wickedness he became the father of an inferior race. A curse was place upon him and that curse has been continued through his lineage and must do so while time endures.
Millions of souls have come into this world cursed with b l a c k skin and have been denied the privilege of Priesthood and the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel. These are the descendants of Cain.
Moreover, they have been made to feel their inferiority and have been separated from the rest of mankind from the beginning… we will also hope that blessings may eventually be given to our N e g r o brethren, for they are our brethren--children of God---notwithstanding their b l a c k covering emblematical of eternal darkness (The Way to Perfection, 101-02; emphasis added).
Source: r g/mor_black.htm
holy makral, anday!!
One little problem with the title. Facing the new president. Well, I hate to break the news to the writer or the rest of the world, but it won't be a new president.
About half the nation disagrees with you, but I hope that you're right!
FromEverest
I'm curious, do black people bother to watch the debates ? I only ask because 99.7% of you support him. Obviously, him being black is good enough for you. So do you just catch up on rest while everyone else stays up and watches ?
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Reply:
Mostly no. They are locked in to Obama. They are not repulsed with their candidate like white people are with Romney. That's why most white people watch the debates to get a glimmer of hope to ease their conscience. But it's not happening.
And they (black people) don't answer phone calls from numbers that they don't recognize. Thus causing them to be disproportionate not included in these d a m n polls. Hence another November surprise with Obama winning by a landslide....Just like the 2008 election against McCain.
Mittens is a coward and will project that - and weakness - to the world.
With all the very serious and very complicated foreign policy issues this country will face in the coming years the last thing we need is a draft-dodging tax-evading right-wing religious nutjob like Mittens Romney in the White House!! If we elect him as President the whole world will see us as weak and feeble-minded for having elected a Mormon high priest - who they know all too well was too cowardly to fight in Vietnaam and instead chose a deferment spent proselytizing Mormonism (of all things!) in the south of France!! This guy is a coward and those in the world who are not and are ready to lay their lives down for their country and beliefs fully realize this!
Wake up America! The Billionaire's puppet candidate is wrong for America, and will only bring our demise!
Proud.American.Veteran
SHow us ALL the PROOF!
But the Muslim Brother Hood Buddy is, Right?
Give tacit green light for israel to attack Iran if elected is the reason why voters should shunt Romney.
Benjamin Netanyahu is the Romney campaign manager in Florida, is he headlining in any other States ?
Yeah, let's hate on the tiny little country that has had to fight for it's very existence for centuries. How would you like to be Israel in that area where every country surrounding you loathes you and wants to exterminate you from the planet? How many Israels can you fit into Iran or Syria? The facts are the Israelis are the only ones who come close to having the same beliefs in human rights and freedoms as us, and they are an important ally. Only cowards want to turn their back on Israel. If Israel did attack Iran it would be more than warranted, both Assad and Ahmanidejad have uttered repeatedly that they would like nothing more than to destroy Israel while Iran is wanting to build nukes. Sounds like just cause to me, who are we to deny them justice?
If you build bombs for a living, vote for Ramenie and the old batch of Bushie neo-cons.
They will have the draft reinstated "on day one" of office. Good luck kids.
Above from Sane Central
Let me tell you a little story. When I was in the 6th grade there was a kid that bullied me. (Remember this was 1975). The more I let him and the weaker I acted the worse it got. My dad was dead and we were raised by my mother. She got wind of me being bullied and told me if I didn't take up for myself, she would whip me when i got home. The next Monday while waiting in the hall to get into the next class he tried to bite me. I grabbed him around the neck and slammed him into a locker and beat his a**. He never messed with me again, neither did anyone else. You whimpy, pu**y liberals that think if we just pull all the troops home, downsize our military, never take a stand on anything abroad, that everyone will leave us alone. Bullies and countries like Iran, N. Korea, etc can smell weakness and they will pounce on us. They hate us and still will if we have 50 carriers and 200,000 jets or we have none. Where Obama is taking our military is scary. It doesn't make us look weak, it makes us weak. And he doesn't care. He has evil plans for the US. And when he calls for change, it's not the change you think he means.
The strongest case for Romney is.......we don't know where he stands and we don't know what he believes.
This is the true mark of a used car salesman.
Proud American Veteran--I doubt that first of all. Don't see any of our military caring much for Obama. He is about to cost 200,000 jobs with his military downsize. Read this I just sent out.
Let me tell you a little story. When I was in the 6th grade there was a kid that bullied me. (Remember this was 1975). The more I let him and the weaker I acted the worse it got. My dad was dead and we were raised by my mother. She got wind of me being bullied and told me if I didn't take up for myself, she would whip me when i got home. The next Monday while waiting in the hall to get into the next class he tried to bite me. I grabbed him around the neck and slammed him into a locker and beat his a**. He never messed with me again, neither did anyone else. You whimpy, pu**y liberals that think if we just pull all the troops home, downsize our military, never take a stand on anything abroad, that everyone will leave us alone. Bullies and countries like Iran, N. Korea, etc can smell weakness and they will pounce on us. They hate us and still will if we have 50 carriers and 200,000 jets or we have none. Where Obama is taking our military is scary. It doesn't make us look weak, it makes us weak. And he doesn't care. He has evil plans for the US. And when he calls for change, it's not the change you think he means.
Iran and N. Korea are bait..
Your post is stupid. obama's military plans are to cut ground forces which aren't needed..unless we decide to stupidly pursue two simultaneous invasions and occupations of middle eastern countries again, like bush did.
otherwise, we are still far and away the strongest military in the world. We aren't weak, nor will we be. we have nukes, technology, navy and air force, subs..we can attack anywhere in the world we need to.
but I see you like to call people "p*ssy liberals", so explaining all this to a 12 year old is probably senseless. :)
vermont guy- we are not as militarily superior as you say. We are using outdated equipment and our production is the lowest it ever has been since before WWII. There are only two threats to the existence of the United States and they are Russia whose leader has expressed with earnest a desire to return to the old Soviet ways, and I am not sure you are old enough, but it wasn't real fun living in fear of nuclear war and having bomb drills at school during the Cold War. Thank god for Ronald Reagan! The other threat is China who we are making richer every day by allowing them to control the global economy wiith underbidding, currency manipulation, and poor labor practices. They already threaten Japan one our closest allies, on a regular basis and their submarine fleet is now superior to ours. If China and Russia had votes they would be on your side for sure vermont!
The US is clearly more supportive of Israel than it is of Muslim countries. This bias is responsible for much of the opposition to the US in Afghanistan and other Muslim countries. The US is also spoiled by having almost no counterbalancing power since WW2. China is changing that! We are indirectly helping Muslim countries develop by buying oil. But we need to admit that Israel is not as important as Israel would like to believe and that most religions need to become more tolerant.
Pickettjm--absolutely most religions need to become more tolerant.
However, it has been CENTURIES since the Christians have killed people over religion, and longer than THAT since Jews have.
NOT SO MUCH the Muslim world.
It does NOT matter how important Israel is to the US--we CANNOT stand by AGAIN and allow people to slaughter Jews just for being Jews.
Momaid- Very well said. They have had to fight for their right to exist not only for centuries but for millenia! They are surrounded by anti-semitic countries that oppress women and harbor terrorists! To turn our back on Israel would be the ultimate cowardly move, just because the Muslims outnumber Israel and the US, doesn't make them right.
If the whole of Israel or any portion of Israel were ever to fall into Muslim hands, THERE WILL BE GENOCIDE. You can bet on it. If Israel falls into Palestinian hands, the initial government (likely Fatah) will be weak and unstable and will fall to an Islamic Fundamentalist regime backed either by Iran (Shia) or Saudi Arabia (Sunni) within months. When that happens, then the extermination of all non-Muslims will become Priority #1 and the slaughter will begin. The genocide won't be slow, methodical and calculated like the Holocaust, but it will be swift and horrifically brutal, like Armenia, Cambodia or Rwanda. Millions of Jews and Christians will be slaughtered while the rest of the world will be forced to sit and watch, powerless to stop it.
Although most Washington insiders won't admit this, they are well aware of it and this is a major reason for the USA's continued support of Israel.