Morning Update: Biden’s Foreign Policy
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) announced on Saturday that former Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, the Democratic senator from Delaware, will be his running mate. Biden’s views on a range of foreign policy issues can be seen on his CFR.org bio page here.
In February 2008, following his return from Pakistan, Biden spoke at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he discussed U.S. policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan. Video of his remarks is available here.
The Los Angeles Times and New York Times look at Biden’s foreign policy record, with special emphasis on Iraq and the Balkans.The Washington Post says party unity tops the agenda as the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Denver.
RUSSIA: Obama urged the international community to maintain pressure on Russia to comply with the negotiated cease-fire on Saturday.
IRAQ: Both presidential candidates released statements over the weekend commenting on U.S.-Iraq negotiations for a Status of Forces Agreement. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said he was “pleased” that security in Iraq “has improved to the point at which we can responsibly talk with our Iraqi allies about U.S. troop withdrawals.”
Obama said he is “glad” that the Bush administration is working to negotiate a withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq. The agreement should be “carefully reviewed, and must include immunity for U.S. troops and Defense Department personnel from Iraqi jurisdiction,” Obama said.
