2015 State of the Union address: on War & Peace
Barack Obama:
I will veto any new sanctions against Iran
With respect to Iran, where, for the first time in a decade, we've halted the progress of its nuclear program and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material. Between now and this spring, we have a chance to negotiate a comprehensive agreement that
prevents a nuclear-armed Iran; secures America and our allies--including Israel; while avoiding yet another Middle East conflict. There are no guarantees that negotiations will succeed, and I keep all options on the table to prevent a nuclear Iran.
But new sanctions passed by this Congress, at this moment in time, will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails--alienating America from its allies; and ensuring that Iran starts up its nuclear program again. It doesn't make sense.
That is why I will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress. The American people expect us to only go to war as a last resort, and I intend to stay true to that wisdom.
Source: 2015 State of the Union address
Jan 20, 2015
Barack Obama:
Authorize the use of force against ISIL
We've learned some costly lessons over the last 13 years. Instead of sending large ground forces overseas, we're partnering with nations from South Asia to North Africa to deny safe haven to terrorists who threaten America. In Iraq and Syria, American
leadership--including our military power--is stopping ISIL's advance. Instead of getting dragged into another ground war in the Middle East, we are leading a broad coalition, including Arab nations, to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist group.
We're also supporting a moderate opposition in Syria that can help us in this effort, and assisting people everywhere who stand up to the bankrupt ideology of violent extremism. This effort will take time. It will require focus. But we will succeed.
And tonight, I call on this Congress to show the world that we are united in this mission by passing a resolution to authorize the use of force against ISIL.
Source: 2015 State of the Union address
Jan 20, 2015
Jill Stein:
ISIS grows out of chaos that we created in Iraq
We need a foreign policy based on international law, human rights, and diplomacy, instead of militarism.
Our current foreign policy has been an outright incredible disaster. Drones and torture have especially been damaging.
The past decade of endless war on terror has been an unmitigated disaster which is now blowing back at us in the proliferation of extremist groups.
ISIS itself grows directly out of the chaos; we see this in Iraq through ten years of vicious warfare and sectarian conflict that was promoted by our policies in Iraq.
Source: 2015 State of the Union Green Party response
Jan 20, 2015
John Bolton:
ISIS, despite a few airstrikes, is alive & well
Let's just get to the critical facts:- Radical Islamic terrorists are openly attacking civilian targets
- Iran is building a nuclear weapons program, and getting away with it
- American companies are being hacked by terrorists
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ISIS, despite a few airstrikes, is alive & well
- Russia continues to defy Obama because he is weak
While Obama may think the state of our union is strong, the truth is that with him as President we are weaker than ever, and that makes me furious.
Source: John Bolton PAC email: 2015 State of the Union response
Jan 20, 2015
Joni Ernst:
Comprehensive plan to defeat ISIL and al Qaeda
Here in the Armed Services Committee room is where we'll debate strategies to confront terrorism and the threats posed by Al Qaeda, ISIL, and those radicalized by them. We know threats like these can't just be wished away. We've been reminded of
terrorism's reach both at home and abroad; most recently in France and Nigeria, but also in places like Canada and Australia. Our hearts go out to all the innocent victims of terrorism and their loved ones. We can only imagine the depth of their grief.
Source: GOP response to the 2015 State of the Union address
Jan 20, 2015
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2019