Albright Discusses Future Challenges for Obama

The optimism of President-elect Barack Obama’s administration will soon have to address the many challenges left behind by the Bush administration, said Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State under the Clinton administration and Mortara distinguished professor of diplomacy, to a standing-room-only crowd in Gaston Hall yesterday afternoon.

Dicussing her book, “Memo to the President: How We Can Restore America’s Reputation and Leadership,” in an event sponsored by the Mortara Center for International Studies, Albright covered issues ranging from the violence in Darfur and Congo to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan to global warming. The event, which was moved from Copley Formal Lounge to Gaston Hall due to the unexpected level of interest, featured a lecture by Albright followed by an open-microphone discussion and a book signing.

As a self-described ardent supporter of Obama’s campaign, Albright expressed her satisfaction with the result of the election.

“I think Tuesday night was the most amazing event that anybody of our generation will remember,” she said. “I think that it changed America’s image of itself and I think that it will change our image abroad.”

Despite her enthusiasm and optimism, she cautioned that serious challenges lie ahead. One of the most immediate demands on the Obama administration, she noted, will be addressing the current economic crisis.

“It’s time to get off the roller coaster and back to fundamental principles,” she said. “A healthy global economy should reward inspiration and perspiration, not speculation and manipulation.” However, Albright added that the scope of Obama administration policy will extend far beyond economic issues — especially concerning the direction of the nation’s foreign policy.

First and foremost, Albright urged Obama to withdraw military troops from Iraq and put power back in the hands of Iraqis.

“By initializing and controlling the withdrawal process, the White House can steer credit towards responsible Iraqi leaders instead of allowing radicals to claim that they have driven us away,” she said. “American troops cannot substitute for Iraqi spine.”

Turning to the war in Afghanistan, she said that an “unsustainable stalemate” had developed there. Albright expressed support for Obama’s calls to reinforce troops in Afghanistan, but also urged against taking a solely militaristic approach.

In the nation's policy towards Iran, Albright turned to statements made by Obama during his campaign that call for talks with Iranian leaders.

“It’s essential to have a dialogue or discussions with people you don’t like,” she said. “It’s actually important to make peace with your enemies.”

Albright also critiqued many of the actions taken by the Bush administration on a variety of different issues, including diplomatic action in regard to the Israeli-Arab peace process.

“President Bush had a road map which really wasn’t taken out of the glove compartment," she said.

She described the Bush administration as "treaty allergic," singling out Bush's decision not to ratify the Kyoto treaty as "dispiriting."

Albright declined to answer a question from a student about possible candidates to fill Obama’s cabinet, but did say it is important for diverse views and backgrounds to be represented.

"People show how smart they are by making the person sitting next to them look stupid,” she said. “It’s important to have a president who … believes in the team.”

Despite her enthusiasm for Obama, Albright said she realized that there would be difficult times ahead.

“There will be a honeymoon, but it’s not going to be forever," she said. "There will be some very hard times."