Kerry's speech today was very good, though - necessarily - Iraq specific. His call to "
build a political coalition of key countries" and to "
convince them that Iraqi security and stability is a global interest" while making it an "
imperative we share responsibility and authority" begins the good work of building a framework around which US foreign policy can regain its credibility and effectiveness.
But this speech was only a first step. The world is watching this election. Kerry needs to win back the trust and support of our allies. He needs to be seen to be leading on the most important issues of the day even before he is elected President.
Kerry needs to use the same framework he used today to address other major, global security concerns. He needs to speak about Afghanistan and the world's commitments there. He needs to provide a global plan to attack terror and to make clear the responsibilities that every nation must shoulder to combat it. He needs to deal with the issues raised by North Korea, nuclear proliferation, and the danger such proliferation represents to every country.
There are other issues, other countries at war or in the throes of violence, that Kerry could speak to. He should resist the temptation to solve all of the world's problems, or even to address them. These four - Iraq, Afghanistan, terrorism, and North Korea - should form the basis for Kerry's - and America's - vision of global security. These four can serve to show the world a blueprint for a new understanding of international collaboration. And on these four, Kerry can chart a course clearly different from the current Administration's.
" I know that some will say that this is an impossible task, but I believe it is doable with the right approach. We must lead but we must listen. We must use every tool of diplomacy and persuasion to bring others along.
[...]
The institutions created more than half a century ago remain useful and relevant. But yesterday's designs are not sufficient to meet today's needs. Our institutions and alliances must adapt to new opportunities and threats. New enemies must be confronted by new strategies. America must lead in new ways.
But even as we contemplate what has changed, we must also remember what has not: Our belief in the rights and dignity of every human being. Our faith in democracy as the best form of government in all of human history. And our confidence in America's capability to lead allies and friends to stand together and build a world more peaceful, prosperous and just than we have ever known before.
That was our mission in Churchill's time. And for all the differences of time and circumstance, that is our urgent need in Iraq today and our enduring mission in the years ahead.
There is pride in that and honor - and if we meet the test, we can have a world that is safer because of American leadership. "