Renewing American Leadership.

OBAMA, Barack, 1961-; PRESIDENTIAL candidates; IRAQ War, 2003-2011; IRAQ Study Group (U.S.); FOREIGN opinion of the United States; CURRENT events education; MILITARY supplies; NUCLEAR weapon security measures; UNITED Nations; FOREIGN relations of the United States in the 21st century

IRAQReport Available; UNITED StatesReport Available

The article is a political statement by U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama. He states that the war in Iraq never should have been authorized or waged. He claims that due to events in Iraq and Abu Ghraib the world does not trust U.S. purposes or principles. He says that America cannot step down from leadership in world affairs, but must lead by deed and example. He states that U.S. military forces need to start withdrawing from Iraq and ultimately withdraw by the date set by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. He talks about the need to expand the U.S. military in terms of troops and first-rate equipment. He mentioned the need to safeguard nuclear materials and prevent terrorists and rogue states from acquiring atomic weapons. He states the need of reform in the United Nations.