Obama: Libya military action is legal
President Obama delivers his address on Libya at the National Defense University in Washington, March 28, 2011.
/ AP Photo/Manuel Balce CenetaWhile hoping to avoid a Constitutional showdown with Congress over the War Powers Resolution, the White House says President Obama has all the authority he needs for the U.S. military intervention in Libya.
A day after Speaker of the House John Boehner served notice that Mr. Obama might be in violation of the War Powers Resolution starting Sunday, the White House sent Congress a 32-page report detailing U.S. military operations in Libya as part of a NATO-led coalition.
The report also provides a White House legal analysis of the requirements of the War Powers Resolution.
"The President is of the view that the current U.S. military operations in Libya are consistent with the War Powers Resolution and do not under that law require further congressional authorization," says the report.
Continue »Tim Pawlenty backs off "Obamneycare" line
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty on Monday coined a new phrase to criticize President Obama, calling him a "declinist," as he backed off a phrase he coined a day earlier to criticize rival Mitt Romney.
Pawlenty at first declined to use the word "Obamneycare" during the Republican debate in New Hampshire, though it was Pawlenty himself who first uttered the word a day earlier to describe the similarities between the signature health care programs of Obama and Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts.
CNN's John King, who moderated the debate, called Pawlenty on the shift: "If it was Obamneycare on 'Fox News Sunday,' why isn't it not Obamneycare standing here with the governor right there?"
Continue »U.S. funding "stealth" Internets
With a ban on foreign journalists in Syria, the world's window on the violence in the country is through cell phone pictures and refugee accounts.
/ CBS NewsThe revolution will be broadcast, despite efforts by repressive regimes to censor or shut down Internet and cell phone networks.
The New York Times reports that U.S. government funding is helping to develop and deploy "shadow" Internet and mobile phone systems to undermine repressive regimes that seek to prevent dissidents from getting their stories out to the world.
According to the Times, by the end of the year the State Department will have spent $70 million on efforts to provide alternate pathways for dissidents to access the Internet and telecommunications services.
Continue »Clinton to World Bank called "completely untrue"
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks during a news conference at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, June 9, 2011, following the Third Contact Group Meeting on Libya.
/ Pool,AP Photo/Susan WalshCiting anonymous sources, the wire service Reuters reported Thursday afternoon that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in discussions with the White House about stepping down to become president of the World Bank next year.
Soon after the report emerged, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Philippe Reines said, "it's completely untrue and Reuters was told that."
Reines said in a subsequent email that "Secretary Clinton has not had any conversations with the President, the White House or anyone about moving to the World Bank."
"She has expressed absolutely no interest in the job," he said, adding that "[s]he would not take it if offered."
Continue »House Republicans stall vote on Libya resolution
Girls pose for a photograph next to a tank used by other children to play during an anti-Moammar Gadhafi march in Benghazi, Libya, Tuesday, May 3, 2011.
/ AP Photo/Rodrigo AbdHouse Republicans are interested in admonishing the Obama administration for its handling of military operations in Libya -- but they're not interested in going so far as stopping U.S. participation in the war.
Republican leadership today postponed consideration of a resolution from liberal Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, which would require President Obama to remove armed forces from Libya.
Seeking to pass a resolution that expresses unhappiness with Mr. Obama's unilateral actions in Libya -- without calling for the removal of troops -- Republicans could bring an alternative bill to the floor Friday, CBS News Senior Political Producer Jill Jackson reports. A GOP leadership aide told Jackson House Republicans will hold special conference on Thursday to discuss their options -- including the consideration of Kucinich's resolution.
Continue »Obama's G-8 focus: Saving vulnerable economies
U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Deauville, France, Thursday, May 26, 2011.
/ AP Photo/Charles DharapakDEAUVILLE, FRANCE - Last year's G-8 summit focused on digging out of the deepest global economic downturn since the 1930s. This year with a halting economic recovery underway, the G-8 is working on a hodge-podge of issues - from Libya, to missile defense, to keeping the recovery going.
But President Obama is putting a lot of his focus on an issue that didn't even exist last year -- saving the economies of Egypt and Tunisia before their transitions to democracy unravel.
As at past summits, the other leaders all seem to gravitate toward President Obama. A group of locals behind a fence in this heavily fortified resort city went wild when they saw him walking down the street with Russian President Medvedev and French President Sarkozy. Those two stood to the side while President Obama shook dozens of hands, beaming that big smile, and repeating "bonjour!" and "merci!" He's using that clout as "Most Popular Leader" to lobby other leaders to join him in putting together an aid package for Egypt and Tunisia.
Continue »Style and substance on Obama's European trip
Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
LONDON -- One moment he's in white tie and tails having dinner with Queen Elizabeth, the next, he's playing ping pong on a doubles team with the British Prime Minister.
One moment he's escorted into historic Westminster Hall to address both Houses of Parliament, a short time after flipping burgers and grilling sausages at a barbecue in the backyard of 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office and residence.
President Obama's two days in London spanned the diplomatic gamut from fluff to war strategy. And in the background - a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland forced Mr. Obama to depart Ireland early to avoid being grounded.
Continue »In U.K., Obama, Cameron talk tough on Qaddafi
President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron participate in a joint news conference at Lancaster House in London, Wednesday, May 25, 2011.
/ AP Photo/Charles DharapakUpdated at 10:45 a.m. ET
If NATO keeps up its mission in Libya, Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi is bound to step down from power, President Obama said at a press conference today -- but he gave no timeline for how long the mission could take.
"I believe we have built enough momentum that if we sustain the course we're on, he is going to step down," Mr. Obama said at a press conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron in London. "We have not put an artificial timeline for how long this is going to take."
If the coalition currently carrying out the mission in Libya continues to rally all the resources necessary, Mr. Obama said, "we're going to be able to achieve our mission in a timely fashion."
"I do think we have made enormous progress in Libya," he said. "We have saved lives. Qaddafi and his regime need to understand there will not be a letup in the pressure we are applying."
The president also acknowledged the factors that complicate the mission, however, and said that "ultimately, this is going to be a slow, steady process."
Continue »Netanyahu aims to prevent UN vote on Palestine
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, followed by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va., and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy of Calif. arrives to address a joint meeting of Congress, Tuesday, May 24, 2011, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
/ APIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to a supportive joint meeting of Congress, repeating one of the themes that President Barack Obama addressed in his speech Thursday, namely that peace cannot be imposed, it must be negotiated, referring to efforts at the U.N. by the Palestinian leadership to gain recognition as a state, set for September.
Maen Rashid Areikat, the Palestinian Representative to the U.S., speaking on CNN after Netanyahu's address, defended the Fatah-Hamas unity pact and said that the Palestinian leadership will prepare the ground for negotiations, but said that if talks are not on track, the proposal will move forward.
"If there is a viable alternative," Areikat said, the Palestinian negotiations to move forward at the U.N. might be put on hold.
Continue »Palestine backers could bypass U.S. at U.N.
Palestinian women are seen through the Palestinian flag as they take part in a rally celebrating the signing of a reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
/ AP Photo/Tara Todras-WhitehillPresident Obama said Thursday that Palestinian "efforts to delegitimize Israel will end in failure," adding that "symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations in September won't create an independent state."
In terms of formal U.N. membership, he is correct. Chapter II, Article 4 of the U.N. Charter says, "The admission of any such state to membership in the United Nations will be effected by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council."
That suggests that the U.S., a member of the Security Council, would veto any Palestinian membership if negotiations with Israel do not succeed.
But a U.S. veto may ultimately not matter. An effort is underway at the U.N. to garner support for a General Assembly vote in favor of Palestinian membership. Supporters would have to find a two-thirds' majority of the 193 votes in the General Assembly to prevail.
Continue »Romney says Obama threw Israel under the bus
Mitt Romney.
/ AP Photo/Alex Brandon
In his remarks, Mr. Obama called for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine and argued that Israel's 1967 borders should roughly guide the formation of a Palestinian state, though some land could be swapped. He also said that, following an agreement, Israel should begin to phase out the presence of its forces from the West Bank.
Romney, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, said Obama had breached a "first principal of American foreign policy" by suggesting the shift.
"President Obama has thrown Israel under the bus," Romney said. "He has disrespected Israel and undermined its ability to negotiate peace. He has also violated a first principle of American foreign policy, which is to stand firm by our friends."
Continue »Obama's Middle East rhetoric may ring hollow
President Barack Obama delivers a policy address on events in the Middle East at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, May 19, 2011.
/ AP Photo/Pablo Martinez MonsivaisIn what the White House billed as a major speech Thursday, President Obama sought to place the United States firmly on the side of those pushing for democratic reforms in the Middle East and North Africa.
Continue »Obama to talk peace process in Middle East
President Barack Obama.
/ AP Photo/Eric GayWhite House Spokesman Jay Carney says President Obama will use tomorrow's speech to discuss policy ideas for "a real moment for opportunity for America" in the Middle East. He will also discuss an opportunity for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process to move forward.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as Mr. Obama flew to Connecticut for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement on Wednesday, Carney said that while the focus in the Middle East had recently been on Iraq and the hunt for Osama bin Laden, the president recognized a new opportunity in the region to emphasize "advancing values and enhancing security."
Mr. Obama is also expected to remind his audience that the fight against al Qaeda continues.
Continue »Glenn Beck announces rally in Israel
Glenn Beck.
/ AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, FileGlenn Beck will hold a rally to "restore courage" in Jerusalem this August, he announced on his radio show Monday.
The conservative media personality says his aim in organizing the rally - which is slated to take place a year after his "rally to restore honor," in Washington, D.C. last August - is to "stand together" with Israel and "show the world what living a life of faith and honor really means," according to a statement on Beck's website.
Beck , a Mormon, made a surprise visit to Israel last week, during which he visited holy sites around Jerusalem and broadcast a special episode of his radio show, which he dedicated to the nation.
On Monday, upon his return, he warned his audience that Israel, "the center of our faith," was in imminent danger at the hands of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
"They are going to attack the center of our faith," Beck said. "Our common faith. And that is Jerusalem. And it won't be with bullets or bombs. It will be with a two state solution that cuts off Jerusalem, the old city, to the rest of the world."
Continue »Obama to speak on Middle East upheaval Thursday
AP Photo/Eric Gay
In addition to the so-called "Arab Spring," the president is expected to discuss the stalled efforts toward peace between Israel and Palestine. Mr. Obama meets with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week.
The announcement comes on the same day as word that George Mitchell, Mr. Obama's envoy in the Middle East, will resign.
