by Andrew Beatty (AFP) — President Barack Obama looks to put domestic issues aside and cap his long courtship with fast-rising South East Asian nations Monday, hosting leaders at a California desert retreat. Obama welcomes representatives from 10 ASEAN countries to Sunnylands, a secluded 200 acre resort beloved by Frank Sinatra and US presidents since Dwight Eisenhower. The visitors may have preferred the cachet of a White House visit and an Oval Office photo-op. But, like […]
Tag: Obama
The importance of ASEAN centrality in Sunnylands
By Mari Pangestu University of Indonesia (Courtesy East Asia Forum) — Despite its economic and strategic importance, the United States has not given priority to ASEAN until recently. There was hope that this would begin to change with the US pivot to Asia in 2009. But up to November 2015, the progress of this ‘pivot’ seemed to be more of a ‘pirouette’. There was little in the way of results except general statements and US […]
Obama arrives in Malaysia for ASEAN meeting
(Reuters) — U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Malaysia on Friday (November 20) on the final leg of a series of summits aimed at furthering Washington’s bid to rebalance ties towards Asia and challenge China’s increasingly assertive posture in the region. Obama is joining leaders of the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) for a weekend summit. Leaders from seven other countries with close partnerships with the grouping – Australia, China, India, […]
Obama stresses commitment to freedom of navigation in Asian waters; says Phl can count on US as an ally
PRESIDENT Barack Obama said on Tuesday (November 17) the United States was committed to the freedom of navigation in Asian waters, but did not directly mention the row with China over the South China Sea. Speaking in the Philippines capital Manila after touring an American-donated coastguard cutter, he said: “My visit here underscores our shared commitment to the security of the waters of this region and to freedom of navigation.” “The United States has […]
Four marines gunned down in Tennessee
(REUTERS) President Barack Obama said on Thursday (July 16) that U.S. officials would be thorough and prompt about getting answers after a suspected gunman opened fire at two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee, killing four Marines. “It is a heartbreaking circumstance for these individuals who have served our country with great valor to be killed in this fashion,” Obama said in a statement from the Oval Office. The suspected gunman was fatally shot in […]
Obama says Homeland Security partial shutdown will hurt U.S. economy, security
(Reuters) — U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday (February 23) that a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would mean more than 100,000 border patrol, port inspection and airport security agents would be left without a paycheck. “It will have a direct impact on your economy, and it will have a direct impact on America’s national security because their hard work helps to keep us safe,” Obama said in a speech to a meeting of […]
Republican Romney says will not run for U.S. presidency
Republican Mitt Romney said on Friday (January 30) he will not seek to run for president in 2016. In a statement, Romney told supporters he had opted against a run. Romney for the past three weeks has been seeking traction for another presidential run after he was defeated by Democratic President Barack Obama in 2012. On Wednesday, he visited Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, and in a closely watched speech, he emphasized a commitment […]
Hagel, under pressure, resigns as U.S. defense secretary
(Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel resigned on Monday, leaving under pressure as President Barack Obama faces critical national security challenges, including fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and revising plans to exit Afghanistan. It was the first major change to Obama’s Cabinet since his Democrats were routed in midterm elections three weeks ago, and Republicans, who now control both houses of Congress, are looking for a new approach from the White house. Hagel […]
Aquino calls on ASEAN leaders to step up efforts on climate change
(Eagle News Service) — Saying that “natural disasters do not recognize national boundaries,” President Aquino has called on fellow ASEAN leaders to step up efforts in addressing climate change.Aquino made the pronouncement during his intervention at the 2nd ASEAN-US Summit, which is part of the 25th ASEAN Summit held at the Myanmar International Center on Thursday.Before ASEAN leaders and US President Barack Obama, President Aquino underscored the massive effect of climate change to the Philippines, […]
After Republican rout, Obama tells voters: ‘I hear you’
(Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama acknowledged on Wednesday that “Republicans had a good night” with sweeping election victories in Congress and said he got a message from voters that it was his responsibility to break a Washington gridlock. Republicans seized control of the U.S. Senate in Tuesday’s election and captured their biggest majority in the House of Representatives in more than 60 years. The party also won more than half of the 36 governors’ races. “As […]
Tough road ahead for Obama after Republicans seize Senate
BY STEVE HOLLAND AND JOHN WHITESIDES (Reuters) – Republicans rode a wave of voter discontent to seize control of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, dealing a punishing blow to President Barack Obama that will limit his legislative agenda and may force him to make a course correction for his last two years in office. The Republican rout was wide and deep in what was bound to be seen as a sharp rebuke to Obama, who has lurched from crisis to […]
Clinton supports Obama on ISIS
Bill Clinton, who remains popular in US, made an appearance on TV with Jon Stuart, where he showed his support to US President Barack Obama in his fight against ISIS.
