United Nations: on Homeland Security


Barack Obama: Iran sanctions not only to punish, but to get lasting deal

The goal of sanctions was not simply to punish Iran. Our objective was to test whether Iran could change course, accept constraints, and allow the world to verify that its nuclear program will be peaceful. The result is a lasting, comprehensive deal that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while allowing it to access peaceful energy. And if this deal is fully implemented, the prohibition on nuclear weapons is strengthened, a potential war is averted, our world is safer.
Source: Remarks by Pres.Obama to the United Nations General Assembly Sep 28, 2015

Jesse Helms: US can intervene against dictators, regardless of UN

Nations derive their sovereignty-their legitimacy-from the consent of the governed. Thus, nations can lose their legitimacy when they rule without the consent of the governed. Slobodan Milosevic cannot claim sovereignty over Kosovo when he has murdered Kosovars and piled their bodies into mass graves. Neither can Saddam Hussein claim that it is his sovereign right to oppress his people.

And when the oppressed peoples of the world cry out for help, the free peoples of the world have a fundamental right to respond.

In some cases, America has assisted freedom fighters around the world who were seeking to overthrow corrupt regimes. In other cases, the US has intervened directly. In none of these cases, however, did the US ask for, or receive, the approval of the United Nations to "legitimize" its actions. The UN has no power to grant or decline legitimacy to such actions. They are inherently legitimate.

Source: Address to the United Nations Security Council Jan 20, 2000

Liz Truss: Spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, & support Ukraine

For the first time in the history of this assembly we are meeting during a large-scale war of aggression in Europe. We cannot let up on dealing with the crisis we face today.

No-one is threatening Russia, as we meet here this evening. In Ukraine, barbarous weapons are being used to kill and maim people. Rape is being used as an instrument of war.

And this morning we have seen Putin trying to justify his catastrophic failures. He is doubling down by sending even more reservists to a terrible fate.

This will not work. The international alliance is strong and Ukraine is strong. The Ukrainians are not just defending their own country--they are defending our values and the security of the whole world.

That's why we must act. That's why the UK will spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, maintaining our position as the leading security actor in Europe. And that's why I pledge that we will sustain or increase our military support to Ukraine, for as long as it takes.

Source: Speech to the United Nations General Assembly in NYC Sep 21, 2022

Vladimir Putin: Enormous mistake to not cooperate with Syria against ISIS

The power vacuum created in some countries of the Middle East--through the emergence of anarchy areas--immediately started to be filled with extremists and terrorists. Thousands of militants are fighting under the banners of the so-called Islamic State. Its ranks include former Iraqi servicemen who were thrown out into the street after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. And now, the ranks of radicals are being joined by the members of the so-called moderate Syrian opposition supported by the Western countries.

We think it is an enormous mistake to refuse to cooperate with the Syrian government and its armed forces, who are valiantly fighting terrorism face to face. We should finally acknowledge that no one but President Assad's armed forces and Kurdish militias are truly fighting the Islamic State in Syria.

On the basis of international law, we must join efforts to address the problems that all of us are facing and create a genuinely broad international coalition against terrorism.

Source: Speech to the United Nations General Assembly Sep 28, 2015

  • The above quotations are from Speeches at the United Nations.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Homeland Security.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2016 Presidential contenders on Homeland Security:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI) 		Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Jul 16, 2024