Excerpts from Clinton’s foreign-policy speech

Below are excerpts from Hillary Clinton’s prepared remarks. The U.S. secretary of state is speaking now at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington.

• "…the international agenda today is unforgiving: two wars, conflict in the Middle East, ongoing threats of violent extremism and nuclear proliferation, global recession, climate change, hunger and disease, and a widening gap between rich and poor. All of these challenges affect America’s security and prosperity. And all threaten global stability and progress."
• "For President Obama and me, the question is not whether our nation can lead, but how it will lead in this new global context."
• "…we have the right strategy, the right priorities, the right policies. We have the right President. And we have the American people, diverse, committed, involved and open to the future."
• "In approaching our foreign policy priorities, we have to deal with the urgent, the important, and the long-term all at once. But… we must have priorities:"
  • "reverse the spread of nuclear weapons, prevent their use, and build a world free of their threat;"
  • "isolate and defeat terrorists and counter violent extremists while reaching out to Muslims around the world;"
  • "encourage and facilitate the efforts of all parties to pursue a comprehensive peace in the Middle East;"
  • "pursue global economic recovery and growth – by strengthening our own economy, advancing a robust development agenda, expanding trade that is free and fair, and boosting investment that creates decent jobs;"
  • "combat climate change, increase energy security, and lay the foundation for a prosperous clean-energy future;"
  • "support and encourage democratic governments that protect the rights of and deliver results for their people;"
  • "and stand up for human rights everywhere."
• "Today, we must acknowledge two strategic facts: First, that no nation can meet the world’s challenges alone…. Second, that most nations worry about the same global threats, from non-proliferation to fighting disease to counter-terrorism….Just as no nation can meet these challenges alone, no challenge can be met without America."
• "…we will remain clear-eyed about our purpose. Not everybody in the world wishes us well or shares our values and interests. Some will seek to undermine our efforts. In those cases, our partnerships will help constrain or deter their actions. And to these foes and would-be foes, let me say: You should know that our focus on diplomacy and development is not an alternative to our national security arsenal. You should never see America’s willingness to talk as a sign of weakness to be exploited. We will not hesitate to defend our friends and ourselves vigorously when necessary with the world’s strongest military. This is not an option we seek. Nor is it a threat; it is a promise to the American people."
• "Smart power translates into specific policy approaches in five areas: first, we will update existing and create new vehicles for cooperation with our partners; second, we will engage with those who disagree with us; third, we will elevate development as a core pillar of American power; fourth, we will integrate civilian and military action in conflict areas; and fifth, we will leverage America’s varied sources of power, including our economic strength and the power of our example."
• "…smart power counsels that we lead with diplomacy, even in the case of adversaries or nations with whom we disagree. We cannot be afraid or unwilling to engage. Yet some suggest that this is a sign of weakness or naiveté – or acquiescence to these countries’ repression of their own people. That is wrong. The President and I believe that refusing to talk to countries rarely punishes them. And as long as engagement might advance our interests and our values, it is unwise to take it off the table. Negotiations can provide insight into regimes’ calculations and the possibility – even if it seems remote – that a regime will, eventually, alter its behavior in exchange for the benefits of acceptance into the international community…. exhausting the option for dialogue is also more likely to make our partners more willing to exert pressure should persuasion fail."
• "We watched the energy of Iran’s election with great admiration, only to be appalled by the manner in which the government used violence to quell the voices of the Iranian people, then tried to hide its actions by arresting foreign nationals, expelling journalists, and cutting off access to technology. As we … have made clear, these actions are deplorable and unacceptable. We know very well what we inherited with Iran. We know how far its nuclear program has advanced – and we know that refusing to deal with the Islamic Republic has not succeeded in altering the Iranian march toward a nuclear weapon, reducing Iranian support for terror, or improving Iran’s treatment of its citizens. Neither the president nor I have any illusions that direct dialogue with the Islamic Republic will guarantee success. But we also understand the importance of trying to engage Iran and offering its leaders a clear choice: whether to join the international community as a responsible member or to continue down a path to further isolation. Direct talks provide the best vehicle for presenting and explaining that choice….. Iran can become a constructive actor in the region if it stops threatening its neighbors and supporting terrorism. It can assume a responsible position in the international community if it fulfills its obligations on human rights. The choice is clear. We remain ready to engage with Iran, but the time for action is now. The opportunity will not remain open indefinitely."