Global Solutions Pittsburgh Annual Membership Meeting 2008
“Priority Foreign Policy Issues for the New President”
On December 12, 2008, Ambassador Dan Simpson presented, "Priority Foreign Policy Issues for the New President," at the Global Solutions Pittsburgh Annual Membership Celebration. Simpson, an associate Editor and member of the editorial board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, presented an overview of international issues that he regards as central to the foreign policy of the Obama administration.
Simpson touched many topics that included, the US occupation of Iraq; the Taliban in Afghanistan; the precarious situation between India and Pakistan; re-launching negotiations between Palestine and Israel; changing US policy toward Cuba (referring to the current policy as folly); instability in Somalia; the ongoing civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and the upcoming election in South Africa. These are just some of the complex foreign policy issues the Obama administration will face in the years ahead.
During his speech and question and answer session Simpson reminded the audience that foreign policy can be influenced by an informed and engaged electorate.
A longer article is available in the Spring 2009 Newsletter